* Thiruvannamalai: The Supreme Hill of Fire

"Thiruvannamalai is the most important abode of Siva on planet earth. Siva himself became the mountain", says Dr. Pillai.

The Arunachala Hill in Thiruvannamalai is the world’s largest Siva Linga (physical representation of Siva). This place is considered as the Spiritual Center of the Universe.

It is one of the 5 elemental vortices dedicated to archetype Siva. It contains the energy of Agni or fire, the element which connects the earthplane with the divine realms.

The power of the Agni can burn one’s ego consciousness and negative psychic impressions embedded in the subtle bodies and bring us one step closer to the Divine.

Siddha Agastiya says that circling the Hill even once is said to erase the karma of ten million lifetimes. Every Darshan (sacred vision) of the Hill has the power to bestow a unique spiritual and material benefit.

* Kumbakonam: The Cradle of Divinity

'Kumba' refers to the pot of creation which held the seed of life after the great deluge and before the start of a new Yuga (cycle of time). Kumbakonam is said to be the place where the pot turned over when hit by an arrow by archetype Siva.

Kumbakonam is most divinely charged place in South India. It is filled with innumerable temple vortices, dedicated to the Goddess as well as the archetypes Siva, Vishnu and Muruga, which throb with unique and immense power.

* Vadalur: The Vast Grace Light Vortex

"We will visit the light vortex that Swami Ramalingam had himself built on the advice of Siva. This vortex, called Vadalur, was earmarked by Swami Ramalingam in 1874 for the descent of the God of Light", says Dr. Pillai.

Swami Ramalingam supervised the construction of this octagonal-shaped vortex, without stepping foot inside even once. He could see via his Third Eye whether the builder was constructing the vortex according to the architectural plans.

This vortex is famous for the sacred ‘Jothi’ flame inside the Hall of Wisdom. It is the representation of God in His highest form as Light.

It was said to be lit by Swami Ramalingam himself and has been kept lit for over 150 years.

The ‘Jothi’ flame is kept behind a veil of 7 colored screens, denoting the stages of consciousness which the soul needs to pass through. The flame is unveiled in all its pristine glory only once a year.