Day 9: Discovering Tiru’s Gems 

Written by: Jahnavi Sakhamuri

Oftentimes, moving to a new place prompts us to explore the surroundings of our new home, in order to make the unfamiliar feel like home. As such, Sruti Akka had emphasized to us how this year's camp would be different from the previous one. As a number of us had expressed seeking a future at Haritachala, our best Akka ever-so thoughtfully curated various experiences for us to create a deeper understanding of Tiruvannamalai. The day began with a yummy breakfast of idly, followed by a plan to seek the blessings of Poondi Swami. We ate quickly and gathered in front of our vibrant bus. The excitement only grew when we learned that Ammagaru would join us alongside Akka in the car! This added a personal touch to the day, making it an experience none of us would ever forget.

As we boarded the bus, it transformed into a musical haven. We had an impromptu "sangeetham class," singing our hearts out to popular movie songs. The journey was filled with beautiful chaos, and before we knew it, we had arrived at Poondi. We all followed quietly behind Ammagaru and Akka into the ashram and it appeared as though we came at the perfect time. We gathered to witness the arati and abhishekam, absorbing the sacred atmosphere. There was something deeply touching about seeing Ammagaru, quietly absorbed in prayer before Poondi Tatayya’s idol.

Afterward, we each had our own time to do as we pleased in the ashram. As 12 o'clock approached and the ashram began to close, we gathered in the outer hall around Ammagaru, like children eager to hear stories from an elder. She read aloud from the experiences of Poondi Swami’s devotees. Each story was a unique expression of love and devotion, and we were captivated. One devotee, for example, wished only to always remain in remembrance of Poondi Swami, ensuring nothing would ever be too busy to keep him away from Poondi Tatayya’s divine presence. These stories, both entertaining and profound, made the time fly by without us realizing it, and soon it was time to head to Marudam School for lunch and a tour by Vinod Anna, the same guide who had taken us birdwatching earlier in the week at the outskirts of Tiruvannamalai.

Our lively bus ride made its way to the school, where we stepped off to one of the most nature-integrated schools we had ever seen. Unlike anything we knew from the States, Marudam felt like a living, breathing extension of the land it was built on. While we waited for Sruti Akka and some of the Annas and Uncles to arrive in their cars, we observed a physics class taking place. The teacher, a very young woman, and students sat casually on the concrete floor in a circle, creating a comfortable atmosphere where students asked questions freely, even joking with the instructor. It was a refreshing scene, and I couldn’t help but admire the quality education these kids seemed to be getting. 

Lunch was a delightful spread of vegetable biryani, eggplant curry, and other delicious curries. As we ate together in a circle, we noticed a group of girls baking bread in an outdoor oven, which instantly reminded us of Hasita’s experiments in our own bakery at Haritachala. A few of us went over to watch them work while the rest finished eating and subsequently cleaned our plates, just as we do at home in Haritachala. The tour commenced under a large tree, with seating arranged like a mini amphitheater.  It felt like the heart of the school. Vinod Anna explained that Marudam Farm School shares many of the same ideals as Haritachala—sustainability and organic living are central to everything they do.

 The walls were adorned with murals of children playing, animals, and flowers, making the atmosphere even more welcoming. In addition, the uniquely designed library was filled with books we were familiar with! Vinod Anna explained that the school’s approach is hands-on, with students learning by doing. He showed us how the students learned the alphabet by crafting stories around each letter—an endearing and creative method that we all appreciated.

From giving students responsibilities like sweeping and gardening to feeding them well so they can study well, it all felt too good to be true. It made me wonder how much the world could benefit if more schools were as honest and pure as this one, especially in the U.S., where the education system feels far more rigid. We toured classrooms, from kindergarten through to the first and second years, but the rooms weren’t age-specific. Instead, students were grouped by their understanding and capability, a refreshing contrast to the more traditional systems we knew. The classrooms were beautifully designed with earth tones, student-made crafts, and plenty of natural light, thanks to large open windows.

Outside, we explored the wooden playground, letting our inner children run free. Anvitha, our resident gymnast, even scaled the rock-climbing wall in one go with ease!  We also visited a well, almost descending to see the tadpoles swimming about, and later, the farm area, where we marveled at the diversity of plants and trees. We even met the architect responsible for the school’s design. He explained how the layout was intentionally intertwined with the school’s core ideals, and we were in awe of his vision.

Our next stop was a beautiful open field, still in development, with a gazebo featuring a straw roof.  Vinod Anna had to leave for a moment, so we all sat around and what else would we do when given free time? Sing and dance! We played charades and passed time until Vinod Anna came back to take us back to the front of the school. On the way back, we met one of the teachers who lived in a hut-like structured home. It was absolutely charming and we were all awe-struck. Noticing our gaped mouths, Vinod Anna offered to give us a tour. Though initially hesitant, as we didn’t want to invade their privacy and the comfort of their home, the aunties in the home warmly welcomed us. They were both very sweet and showed us even the loft-style bedroom upstairs. The view from the balcony felt like that of a movie and we all remarked how we needed something similar in Haritachala! 

We commenced the visit with a funny but heartwarming encounter with a little boy who was so shy but eventually waved goodbye to us. We thanked Vinod Anna profusely for his patience and generosity in the thorough tour of the school. We invited him to our culturals event and he said he would try to make it (spoiler alert: he did!). As we made our way back to Haritachala, we cherished one last musical bus ride, filled with song and laughter. The day ended with a delicious dinner of everyone’s favorite karam dosa, bringing a perfect close to an unforgettable experience.