We talked for a while, even though I don't know Tamil, and they didn't know English. But they knew the words 'chocolate' and 'pen'.

In the back of Raman Ashram is a gate that leads to the two caves in which Ramana spend 18 years of his life meditating. They are ashram shrines open to all for receiving blessings. This is the path to the caves, well laid out, an easy wallk up the mountain. The fellow on the left was trying to be a guide, which was a bit annoying, since it was totally unnecessary.

Along the way are signs posted for a restoration project to bring back trees to the mountain. The mountain is populated by a number of full time sadhus - I spent time with a sadhu with beautiful beaming eyes on one trip up. Living on the mountain was a great ally for him, and all who come here.