Establishing Arunachala as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Ancillary Documents v.5 March 27, 2015 Establishing Arunachala as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Legal documents ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 “29-7-2000.doc” ................................................................................................................................................... 4 “Arunachalam Committee Report.doc” ...................................................................................................... 6 “Buying of lands.doc” ...................................................................................................................................... 46 “Committee Recommendations (6.4.2000).doc” ................................................................................. 50 “Court Scheme.doc” .......................................................................................................................................... 52 “Final T.V.Malai & Surroundings.doc” ...................................................................................................... 72 “Geological.doc” ................................................................................................................................................. 81 “Giri Herbs.doc” ................................................................................................................................................. 83 “request (14-4-2000).doc” ............................................................................................................................ 85 “THE ARUNACHALA BIODIVERSITY PROTECTED AREA.doc” ...................................................... 86 “AFFADAVIT.indd” ........................................................................................................................................... 89 WHS past effort documentation ...................................................................................................................... 91 The Current Worldwide Reach of Arunachala ....................................................................................... 100 Results of searching on “Arunachala”-related terms on the Internet ..................................... 101 ARUNACHALA in the media ...................................................................................................................... 104 Julia Watson (conservation architect) notes from visit to Tiruvannamalai .............................. 114 NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION Page 2 Establishing Arunachala as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Legal documents The following is a set of legal documents related to past legal actions to preserve Arunachala. These were sent to me as separate files by a person involved in these original efforts. They are compiled here into one file for convenience. Each document is titled according to the original name of the file (in quotation marks). NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION Page 3 Establishing Arunachala as a UNESCO World Heritage Site “29-7-2000.doc” It is the tradition in India to propitiate Gods by prayer, prostration & valam (Pradakshina) (see Kazhaga Vizha Malar). The name “Tiruvannamalai” (Arunachala) pertains to the Hill and not to the place (see Tiruvannamalai Temple Souvenir). Thus the hill has been the centre of focus and because of the spiritual force of the hill people have settled around it since 6th-7th century A.D (see Tiruvannamalai second volume — French-translation). It has been the custom of the people in and around Tiruvannamalai for centuries to go around the hill (a) During the 1st of every Tamil month (b) During the commencement of Utharayana and Dakshinayana, (c) On the Tiruvoodal day (d) Tuesdays (being Sthala Vara) (i.e. auspicious day to Annamalaiar) during Sashti (6th day after the full moon day & new moon day) (c) From the 5th day onwards of Karthigai Deepam Mahotsava to the 2nd day after the deepam (refer Arul Nirai Annamalai under Isakki Swamigal and Maharshi and Self-realisation on giripradakshina). Further great saints like Guhai Namasivayar (16th century) Sivaprakasam (18th century)5, Irai Swamigal, Sathguru Swamigal, Gnaniyar (see Arul Nirai Annamalai under the section dealing with the lives of the above saints — relevant portion marked in the margin) to name but a few have been going round the hill. Great saints like Sri Ramana Maharshi had no need to perform the circumambulation but to show the world they performed it (see Maharshi and Self-realisation). The Girivalam path has been existing and we have evidence to show the same existed in the 14th century by milestones put on the path (see Tiruvannamalai inscriptions volume 1.1 inscription Nos. 292-296(?) reproduced as xerox copies and temple souvenir). Further some of the shrines along the circumambulation path date back to the 11th, 12th centuries (see Tiruvannamalai volume 2 — French edition translated). The very purpose of devotees thronging any shrine is for having a darshan (Katchi and Parvai) of their beloved Lord. While prostrating or circumambulating or while praying they look towards the deity. Whatever may be the mode of their obeisance, the devotees direct their glance, towards the Lord of their worship. Thus while circumambulating the Hill which is verily the Siva Linga. Even the great saints walk around, watching the hill intently. Again the force of Arunachala is such that It attracts the attention of the devotee while going around It or when one is in its vicinity* (see Maharshi and His Message by Paul Brunton, p.75, nothing equal to it in all India portion from Anne Marshall’s book Search for a guru in India). Going around girivalam having the view of the hill is implied. The hill presents various forms at various directions. It presents the forms of a mosque, Mount Kailash to name but a few (see relevant photos and diagrams already presented). Further mere sight of the Hill gives Vedantic knowledge which cannot be acquired even by great efforts (refer introduction to Aksharamanimalai verse 7 beginning with Uruth theriyellai uttru kannutral. and Guhai Namasivayar’s Venba beginning with Kanarkkiniya malai, Sivaprakasam Swamigal’s Sona Saila Malai in which he says, “The Lord in His mercy has appeared as a Hill so that the devotees from their place of residence can NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION Page 4 Establishing Arunachala as a UNESCO World Heritage Site have darshan of Him — relevant portion marked in Annamalai Venba in Arunachala Puranam 1955 edn, Temple Souvenir respectively). Gnana Sambandha’s description of the Hill which he saw is reproduced in his Tiruvannamalai Thevaram (verse and meaning reproduced in Arunachala Puranam text) The antiquity of the hill and Deepam festival:— Mentioned in Rig Veda, Upanishads, Sangam Literature (the references can be found in the xerox copies in the Temple Souvenir, Arunachala Puranam text, Arunachala Puranam 1955 edn, Introduction to Arunachala Puranam in Arunachala Puranam by Raya cho, portions marked). Foremost place has been accorded in the worship of agni in Rig Veda*, Yajur Veda*, Sama Veda∗, in Bible (old testament)** in Zoroastrian*** . Thus the worship of Agni is worship of Arunachala. ∗ Refer Ramana’s Arunachala 2nd edition, chapter on Reference in Vedas and Upanishads. ** Genesis (Chapter 1, verse 1) “God said ‘let there be light’ and there was. *** In Zoroastrian religion only worship of Agni is followed. NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION Page 5 Establishing Arunachala as a UNESCO World Heritage Site “Arunachalam Committee Report.doc” REPORT OF THE EXPERT BODY SUBMITTED TO THE HONOURABLE HIGH COURT, MADRAS (Writ Petition Nos.7396 to 7400 of 1998, W.P.No.14915 of 1996 & W.P.No.17109 of 1997 & connected Miscellaneous Petitions) T.V. Chandramouli & Others Petitioners Vs Union of India and others Respondents. Members Present 1. Mr Justice T.S. Arunachalam, Acting Chief Justice (Retired), High Court, Madras, Chairman 2. Professor G. Ayyasamy, Ex-managing Director, Cholan Bus Transport Corporation Member 3. Mr P.T. Krishnan, Architect and Convenor INTACH, Tamil Nadu Chapter Member 4. Mr. Sukavaneshwar, I.A.S. S.C. and Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Chennai Member 5. Dr.B. Narasimhiah, NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION Page 6 Establishing Arunachala as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Retired Superintendent, Archaeological Survey of India Member 6. Mr V.R. Chitrapu, I.F.S. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Member 7. Mr. Thanga Kaliyaperumal, I.A.S. The District Collector of Tiruvannamalai Secretary (The Report was made by Mr. Justice T.S. Arunachalam, Chairman) A prelude on the constitution of this Expert Body, its purpose and the work assigned to it, will be an apt initiation, for this report. A group of writ petitions, some of them in public interest category, were clubbed together and during a preliminary hearing on those writ petitions (W.P. Nos.7396 to 7400 of 1998 and W.P. No.14915 of 1996 and W.P.No.17109 of 1997) and the connected Writ Miscellaneous Petitions, on 4-5-1999, the Honourable High Court deemed it fit and proper to appoint this Expert Body, assisted by a council which could include the Revenue Administration, Municipal Administration, Temple Administration, Town Planning Authorities, Local Bodies, Environmentalists, the residents of the locality, the various Ashrams and institutions to suggest a detailed proposal for the preservation of the heritage town of Tiruvannamalai and the Giripradakshina