• Murugan

Rathnagiri Murugan Temple

Overview


Rathnagiri Murugan Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is located in Saravanampatti, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.


Legend and Stories

Legend

Many years back, a woman devotee was praying to Lord Ratnagiri Muruga for long years seeking child boon. She was undergoing severe fasting for the boon. One day, she came to the temple alone when no one was present in the surroundings. She was in deep meditation for a long time shedding tears and was going round the temple. A cow boy enquired her of her sorrow. The woman told him of her want. The boy gave her a little sacred ash and advised her to go round the prakara with her prayer. After finishing the first round, when the woman wanted to see the boy, he was not there.

The woman conceived within a few days then and understood that the boy was no less a person than Lord Muruga Himself. The temple has the reputation of blessing a woman devotee in person gifting her wish.

Lord Sri Muruga graces with four hands on His peacock facing the left side. Lord Vinayaka – Swayambu Vinayaka from a rock – is by the side.


History

A demon performed penance for centuries on Lord Shiva and got the boon to rule all the worlds. Intoxicated by the power of the boon and his prowess, he began to harass the devas, very cruelly forcing them to live in oblivion. Once the demon saw Indira, the king of devas in his hideout. Indira began to run but the demon chased him. Indira reached this Ratnagiri mount where Lord Muruga changed him as a peacock, his vehicle. The demon returned disappointed. The wonder took place here, according to scriptures.


Poo parithal – picking flowers


It was customary in days of yore, that boys and girls related to each other qualifying a marriage liberty (Murai Mappillai and Murai Penn) visit the temple together on Mattu Pongal day (almost on January 15 according to the Gregorian calendar). The bridegroom-boy will offer the flowers to his fiancée. They will then offer garlands to the Lord with the prayer to unite them in wedlock. The custom has vanished in the modern days. Yet, lovers aware of the custom visit here to pray to Lord Muruga to succeed in their love affair.

The belief still remains that any one bringing flowers, making a garland himself/herself and offer it to the Lord will have the life partner of his/her choice. After marriage, they come again to offer their grateful prayer to the Lord to have wise children.

Also, school friends, though placed in different places due to their occupations, use to come to this place, pray to Lord Muruga and share their old experiences. The tradition is still followed, on the Mattu Pongal day.


Festivals


Thaipoosam in January-February, Mattu Pongal falling almost on January 15, New moon days, Kruthika days, Vaikasi visakam in May-June are the festive days observed in the temple with special pujas.


Significance


A fasting known as Soopooparithal (meaning picking of some flowers) is followed in Murugan temples for getting a life partner of their choice, according to belief. Those praying here are also blessed with child boon, freed from fears, cured of prolonged illnesses, blessed with fulfillment of aspirations, trade development and prosperity.


Thanks Giving


Archanas to the Lord is performed with Vanni leaves, abishek with milk and devotees carry milk pots. Feeding Annadhana- is also undertaken


How To Reach Sri Ratnagiri Murugan Temple, Saravanampatty

Airport

The nearest airport is at Coimbatore.


Railways

The nearest railway station is at Coimbatore.


Road

The temple is on the Coimbatore-Satyamangalam road. Town bus facilities are available from Ukkadam and Gandhipuram, route Nos. 45, 98, 82, 57. Those travelling by Coimbatore-Satyamangalm bus should get down at Saravanampatti and walk one kilo metre to the temple or hire an auto or taxi. The temple is 13 km from Coimbatore.


Temple Address


Sri Ratnagiri Murugan Temple,
Karattumedu, VGP Prem Nagar, Saravanampatty,
Coimbatore district,Tamil Nadu, Pincode – 641035.

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • To find a good marriage alliance
  • For the gift of childbirth
  • For freedom from fears
  • For cure from prolonged illnesses
  • For fulfillment of aspirations
  • For prosperity
Shlokas

Shadaananam Chandana Liptha Gathram Mahorasam Divya Mayoora Vaahanam Rudrasya Soonum Suraloka Naatham Brahmanya Devam Charanam Prapadye

Meaning -I always take refuge in the 6 faced Lord Guha, who has sandal paste smeared over his body, who is broad-chested, whose vehicle is the peacock, who is Lord Shiva's son and who leads the army of the Devas.

Heyswami Natha Karunakara Dheenabandho Shree Parvatheesha Mukha Pankaja Padmabandho Shree Saadhi Devagana Poojitha Padha Padma Vallesa Nadha Mama Dehi Karaavalambham

Meaning -O! Merciful Lord Swaminatha, who cares for the poor, who is the sun to Lord Shiva's lotus face, whose lotus feet are acknowledged by Lord Vishnu and the others, Valli's Lord, please uplift me by lending me your hand.

Ariru Thadanthozh Vazhga Arumugam Vazhga Veppai Kooru Sei Thanivel Vazhga Kukkudum Vazhga Sevvel Yeriya Magnai Vazhga Aanai Thun Anangu Vazhga Maarila Valli Vazhga Vazhga Seer Adiyar Yellam

Meaning -Oh Muruga, we hail your 12 strong shoulders for they protect us from our enemies, we hail your 6 faces, we hail the Vel, your weapon that broke apart the Krounja mountain to reveal the asura in it. We hail the bird, the cock, that is part of your symbol in the flag. We hail your peacock, that takes you all over the world, we hail your consort Devyani, who was brought up by Indra's white elephant, Airavadam, we hail your other consort, the flawless Valli. And we hail your Bhaktas who worship you as a prayer.

Uruvai Aruvai Uladhai Iladhai Maruvai Malarai Maniyai Oliyai Karuvai Uyirai Gadhiyai Vidhiyai Guruvai Varuvai Arulvai Guhaney

Meaning -O Lord Muruga, you have form and you are formless, you have everything and have nothing, you who exist in the smallest, in flowers, in a bell's ring, in the light. You are the embryo, the life, destiny and fate. Bestow your blessings on us as our guru.

Timings

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

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