Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi needs no introduction to a spiritual aspirant. The 146th Jayanti of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi is on January 4, 2026. Ramana Maharshi was on December 30, 2026. His Jayanti or birth anniversary is annually held on Punarvasu or Punarpoosam or Punartham Nakshatra in Margazhi Masam as per traditional Hindu tamil calendar.
Various programs are held on the day at Sri Ramanasramam in
Thiruvannamali and across various other ashrams in the world.
All the programs from various ashrams will be streamed live
online. You can view the birthday programs here online.
One’s true birthday is when one enters That which transcend birth and death – the Eternal Being. - Ramana Maharshi
Chronology of the Life of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi
Birth and Family Background
1879
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Birthplace: Thiruchuli, Tamil Nadu
(15 km east of Aruppukkottai, 40 km east of Virudhunagar, 45 km south of Madurai) -
Birth: Past midnight on December 29, 1879 (therefore recorded as December 30, 1879)
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Born in the house of Sundaram Aiyar, at the time when the deity of Bhuminatheswara Temple was returning after procession.
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The midwife witnessed the room filled with bright white light.
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The child was named Venkataraman.
Siblings
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Brothers
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Nagaswami (1878–1900)
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Nagasundaram (1886–1953), later known as Niranjanananda / Chinnaswami
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Sister
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Alamelu Ammal (1888–1953)
Childhood and Early Years
1886
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At age six, after being mildly reprimanded for using legal documents to make kites and boats, Venkataraman disappeared.
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He was later found seated silently behind the idol at the Sri Sahayavalli Shrine during puja.
1891
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Moved to Dindigul after completing elementary education at Thiruchuli.
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Studied in the first form for one year.
1892
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Continued studies at Dindigul.
Madurai Years
Early 1890s
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Lived near the Vaigai River, Madurai.
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Bathed daily in the river; played in the sandy riverbed during summers.
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Frequently visited Azhagar Koil, the Vishnu temple about 12 miles from Madurai.
1895 (November)
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First hears the name “Arunachala”, mentioned by an elderly relative.
Awakening and Renunciation
1896 (Mid-July)
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Undergoes spontaneous Self-Realisation (first “Death Experience”).
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Becomes inwardly detached; seeks solitude.
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Regularly visits Meenakshi Temple, deeply moved by the images of the Nayanmars, often shedding tears.
August 29, 1896 (Saturday)
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After a remark by his elder brother questioning the need for studies, Venkataraman leaves home.
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Leaves a note stating he is proceeding in search of his father and that no effort should be made to find him.
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Begins his journey to Arunachala.
Journey Details
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Aug 29: Leaves Madurai Junction
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Aug 30: Reaches Villupuram Junction, then Mambalappattu
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Visits:
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Sri Atulyanateswarar Temple, Araiyaninallur
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Sri Viratteswarar Temple, Kilur
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Aug 31: Arrives at Tirukovilur, spends the night at the station
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Sept 1, 1896: Boards train to Tiruvannamalai
Arrival at Arunachala
September 1, 1896 (Tuesday)
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Arrives at Tiruvannamalai (Arunachala).
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Enters the Arunachaleswara Temple, prays to Lord Arunachala and Mother Apeethakuchamba.
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Head shaved at Ayyankulam Tank; throws remaining money into the tank.
1896–1897
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Lives in temple premises:
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Thousand-Pillared Hall
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Pathala Lingam (underground cellar)
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Later moved to Subramanya Shrine (protected by Seshadri Swami)
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Stayed in flower gardens, banana groves, and Mangai Pillayar Shrine.
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Uddandi Nayinar becomes attendant.
1897
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Moves to Gurumurtam on the outskirts of Tiruvannamalai.
Life on Arunachala Hill
1898
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May: Uncle Nelliappa Iyer visits Bhagavan.
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September: Moves to Pavalakkunru.
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December: Mother Alagammal visits him there.
1899
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February: Moves permanently to Arunachala Hill.
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Lives mainly in Virupaksha Cave (for about 17 years).
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Uses Mango Tree Cave as summer residence.
Teachings and Early Works
1900
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Answers Gambhiram Seshayya’s questions → later published as Self-Enquiry (1902).
1902
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Answers Sivaprakasam Pillai’s questions → Who am I? (published 1923).
1905
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Moves to Pachaiamman Koil during plague epidemic; later returns to the Hill.
1907 (Nov 18)
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Kavyakanta Ganapati Muni meets Bhagavan.
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Receives upadesa and proclaims him Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.
1908
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Jan–Mar: Stays at Pachaiamman Koil with Ganapati Muni.
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Returns to Virupaksha Cave.
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Translates Vivekachudamani and Drig-Drisya Viveka into Tamil prose.
Growing Recognition
1911 (November)
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F. H. Humphreys, first Westerner, meets Bhagavan.
1912
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Second Death Experience at Tortoise Rock.
1914–1915
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Prays and composes songs for Mother’s recovery.
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Writes:
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Arunachala Aksharamanamalai
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Arunachala Padikam
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Arunachala Ashtakam
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Song of the Pappadum
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Several translations and hymns
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1916
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Moves to Skandashram.
1917
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Composes Arunachala Pancharatnam (Sanskrit).
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Mother settles at Skandashram.
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Sri Ramana Gita written by Ganapati Muni.
Mother’s Samadhi and Ashram Life
1922
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May 19: Mother Alagammal’s Maha Samadhi.
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Bhagavan personally attends her final moments.
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Ashram later grows around her shrine.
1924
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June 26: Robbery at Ashram; Bhagavan injured.
1927
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Composes Upadesa Sara.
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April 24: Atma Vidya.
1928
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Composes Ulladu Narpadu.
1930–1936
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Sanskrit Sat Darshanam.
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Translations including Sarvajnanotharam, Sri Ramana Gita (Malayalam).
Later Years
1939
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Sept 1: Foundation stone laid for Mathrubhuteswara Temple.
1940
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Selects and translates 42 verses of the Bhagavad Gita.
1946
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Sept 1: Golden Jubilee of arrival at Arunachala.
1947
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Composes Ekatma Panchakam.
1948
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June 18: Cow Lakshmi attains Nirvana.
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Translates Atma Bodha.
1949
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March 17: Kumbhabhishekam of Mathrubhuteswara Temple.
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New Hall opened.
Mahasamadhi
1950
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April 14 (Friday), 8:47 p.m.
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Brahma Nirvana of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi
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A brilliant shooting star seen moving northward across Arunachala at the moment of his passing.