RATHNAGIRI MURUGAN

The History of the Shrine:

Rathinagiri Balamurugan Temple was built around the 14th century. Over the passage of time an ordinary sand structure was converted into a stone shrine.

Greatness of the Shrine:

Ancient Hindu scriptures say that wherever there is a hill, Lord Murugan resides as the all-powerful Deity. Of these Tirupparamkundram, Tiruchendur, Tiruvavinankudi, Tiruveragam and Palamuthircholai are famous shrines, collectively called 'Kundruthoradal'. The holy shrine at Rathinagiri also features in this category.

Literary Evidence:

The 14th Century poet Arunagirinathar has sung about this temple Rathinakiri Vazh Murukane Ilaya Vaaramarar Perumaley' which means 'Murugan, the God of Devas resides in Rathinagiri'.

Divine Blessings:
The Omnipotent Power manifests His Blessings to mankind in three forms:

1. In the form of Idol in the Shrine.
2. In the form of the Guru.
3. In the form of the Devotee.

Of these three, Lord Balamurugan manifests himself at Rathinagiri in two forms. The first is in the form of the deity with his two consorts Valli and Deivanai. The Second is in the form of our Guru, Swami Balamurugan Adimai.

The History of Swami Balamurugan Adimai through whom the Blessings of Lord Balamurugan are channeled to us is praise worthy.

History of Swami Balamurugan Adimai:

Born on the 24th of January 1941 (in the Vikrama year of the Tamil Calendar on the 11th day of the month of Thai) in the small village of Kilminnal adjacent to Rathinagiri, he was the fourth Child born to Sri Kandaswami Mudaliar and Smt. Sinagarammal. He was named Dakshinamurthy and Sachidanandam, both being names of Lord Shiva.

On Completion of his Schooling he entered the services of the Electricity Department. Soon after, he entered into holy matrimony with Sivakami and was blessed with two daughters and a son.

One day in his 27th year, on his way to work, he climbed the hill to offer his prayers. There was neither camphor nor incense available at the temple. He walked around the shrine with a heavy heart and was suddenly overcome with divine awakening. He fell in a faint to the ground and on waking up was unable to remember his own self. He dressed himself in a loincloth. He took a sacred vow not to leave until the temple was restored to its former glory.

This memorable event of Swami's spiritual awakening took place on 20th March 1968. Ever since then Swami's spiritual well being of his devotees has continued unabated.

Renovation of the Temple:

Separate pathways were laid to ascend and descend the hill. A chariot made of granite was made and the main deity was installed there to facilitate renovation of the sanctum sanctorum. Two temples for Lord Ganesha were built at the foothill and uphill. A golden chariot was made for the Lord Murugan to circumambulate the shrine. Ornaments made of gold, silver and precious stones were made to decorate the Idol.

Work Completed to Date:

A granite sanctum sanctorum modeled according to the Chola architecture has been built at a cost of 20 lakhs for installing the deity. A spacious hall around the shrine, vimanam and a beautiful entrance has been completed at a cost of 50 lakhs. The rest of the renovation work estimated to cost another 50 lakhs is in progress. With the inflow of donations from devotees work may be completed soon and the kumbhabhishekam may be performed at a close date.

Durga Temple:

The worship of Durga Devi 'the bestower of success' has been carried on since time immemorial. A temple for Durga Devi was built at Rathinagiri and Kumbhabhishekam, performed on 8 June 1995.

Six Sided Holy Tank:

A six-sided tank has been dug out and steps have been made. Further progress on this work has postponed until Kumbhabhishekam of the main temple. The cost of completing the work on the tank will be around nine lakhs.

Archana in Tamil:

Lord Murugan being the God of Tamil it is only befitting that worship be carried on in Tamil. All mantras are chanted in Tamil so that the common man can better understand the worship.

Service to the Devotees:

Cottages for the devotees have been built and a nominal rent is collected.
Public toilets and drinking water have been provided for the general visitors.
Around 40 shops at a low rent have been built along the Arcot - Vellore road.
Four marriage halls are present for public use at a low rent.
A police outpost, post office, bank and a co-operative store are present for the benefit of the public.
A hall with bathrooms for those who wish to tonsure their head has been provided.

Education:

In order to provide facilities to enable the rural youth to compete with the urban, a matriculation school was established for the children of the employees of the shrine on 19-08-1987. It has gradually developed and at present about 1019 children of the surrounding 18 villages are benefited by it.

Every first Friday and Saturday lectures are held on Tiruvilaiyadal Purina, Tolkapiyam, Periyapuranam and Tirukkural for the public.

Health:

A 25-bed charity hospital has been built for the benefit of the poor. Specialists from all fields offer their services freely to the poor. Free eye camps are held every month and around 70 patients are operated free of cost.

Temple hours:

Temple is kept open between 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Abhishekam timings: 6 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. & 5.30 p.m.

Temple office working hours:

9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. & 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Days of principal importance in the calendar year:

Tamil New Year Day:
Aadi Krittikai celebrations (Lord Murugan's Birthday);
Aadi Velli (auspicious Friday in the month of August or September);
Kanda Shashti celebrations (Six Days);
Navaratri (Nine Nights of the Goddess Festival);
Panguni Uthiram;
January 1st;
The sacred day of Swamiji's enlightenment 20th March of the year.