It was on March 20, 1968 that a small Murugan temple was established atop a hillock in Ratnagiri in Kilminnal village panchayat 13km east of Vellore on the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway by Sri Balamuruganadimai following a divine call.
Sri Balamuruganadimai started developing the temple brick by brick with the contributions trickling in from devotees. He took a vow not to visit any of the six 'Arupadaiveedu’ Murugan temples in the State, or for that matter any temple until the kumbabishekam was conducted for the Balamurugan temple. He fulfilled his vow by visiting the other temples only after performing the kumbabishekam on February 6, 2003 after transforming the abode of Lord Muruga into a beautiful hill temple. The `garbagraha’ (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple was built with granite stones based on Chola architectural style. A `Maha Mandapam’ was built around the sanctum sanctorum for the procession of the golden car. A road was also laid leading to the temple for the benefit of aged and sick people who cannot climb the steps.
The temple has now been further renovated by repairing the road leading to the hill temple, the entrance arches, Mandapams and all shrines. After a gap of 12 years, the Ashtabandhana Swarnabandhana Maha kumbabishekam is to be performed between 9.30 a.m. and 10.15 a.m. on June 29.
Kumbabishekam of Balamurugan temple today
