The western world learnt of Tiruvannamalai during the mid 20th century, through the work of Ramana Maharishi (1879–1950 CE). The cave where Ramana meditated is on the lower slopes of the Arunachala hills, with the "ashram" further down at the foothills. The basement of the raised hall inside the temple has the "Patala Lingam", where Ramana attained supreme awareness while ants devoured his flesh. The place is also called a "Mukthi Sthalam", meaning place of salvation, and saints like Seshadri Swamigal, Gugai Namachivayar and Yogi Ramsuratkumar have been associated with the temple.