Arulmigu Ratnagiri Balamurugan temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Muruga, in Thirumanikundram, Vellore. It was constructed during 14th century AD and this wonderful temple was praised by the great poet, and staunch Murugan devotee Sri Arunagirinathar. This temple is situated in a hill, as per the saying, wherever there is a hill, temple of Lord Muruga would be there! Saint Arunagirinathar has seen the lotus feet of Lord Muruga at this temple, and he received the blessings of his beloved Lord Muruga.
The great Murugana Devotee, Swami Balamurugan Adimai served for many years at this temple. He rendered selfless service on Lord Muruga, he also witnessed the division vision of Lord Muruga for a few seconds, and after that, he was totally surrendered into the lotus feet of Lord Muruga. From then onwards, he began to stay at the Ratnagiri Temple, renovated the temple, and settled the dues of the poor temple priest with the money collected from the devotees. Due to his selfless service to Lord Muruga, the nearby villagers began to call him as Balamurugan Adimai, which means serving as a slave to the child god Muruga.
The holy shrine at Rathinagiri attracts the Murugan devotees, since it is also like the six main earthly abodes of Lord Muruga. As per the verses of Sri Arunagiriyar, Oh! Muruga you look very sweet and handsome and you glitter like the sparkling “GEM STONE”, after you dwell in the Ratnagiri Temple.
Lord Muruga in this temple appears in the form of a:
Wonderful idol in the shrine.
In the form of a Guru.
In the form of a friend to his devotees.
In this temple, Lord Muruga can be seen with his two consorts, Ma Valli and Deivanai, also called as Devasena. Here Archanai is being done to the devotees in Tamil Language only. A free hospital is being operated for the benefit of the poor. Some temple cottages are also available, and interested devotees can make use of the same.
Temple Timings:
6 am to 1 pm, 4 pm to 8 pm.
IMPORTANT FESTIVALS
Tamil New Year Day
Adi Krittikai celebrations
Adi Velli
Kanda Shashti celebrations
Navaratri
Panguni Uttiram
January 1
The anniversary of Swamiji Balamurugan Adimai’s enlightenment takes place during 20th March of every year. Hence, let us visit this wonderful Ratnagiri Murugan temple at least once in a year, in order to shine like the sparkling GEM (Ratnam) in our life.
“OM SRI RATNAGIRIVASA NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR