Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai

TamilNadu, Thanjavur, Chennai

Swamimalai Murugan Temple is located in Swamimalai near Kumbakonam in the state of Tamilnadu, India.The primary deity Lord Murugan is worshipped as "BalaMurugan", "Swaminatha Swami" or "Thagappan Swamy". Swamimalai is fourth among the six padai veedu or sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Muruga. The temple is believed to be in existence from the Sangam period from 2nd century BC and was believed to have been modified by Parantaka Chola I. The temple was greatly damaged during the Anglo-French war between Hyder Ali and British in 1740. The temple, in modern times, is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

According to Hindu legend, Lord Brahma,disrespected Lord Muruga at the time of visiting Mount Kailash. The child Muruga got angry with Brahma and asked him to explain the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. Brahma could not reply and hence Muruga punished Brahma with imprisonment. Muruga took up the role of the creator. Lord Shiva went to the rescue of Brahma.Shiva came to Muruga and asked him to release Brahma from imprisonment. Muruga refused to release Brahma stating that Brahma was unaware of the meaning of the Pranav Mantra. Shiva asked Muruga to explain the meaning and Muruga told shiva that he will explain the meaning only if Shiva accept Muruga as his guru. Shiva accepted the request and Muruga explained the meaning of the Pranava Mantra to Shiva. That's how the name 'Swaminatha Swami', which means 'The Teacher of Shiva' came into existence. Following the legend, the shrine of the Muruga is atop the hillock, while the father Shiva's shrine is located at the basement.

This temple is part of famous Arupadai Veedu Yatra.

Architecture

Arulmigu Swaminatha Swamy Temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture.The temple is built on an artificial hill. In Tamil language, such an artificial hill is called "Kattu Malai". Another name for this place is "Thiruveragam". The temple has three gopuram (gateway towers) and three precincts. Out of the three precincts, one is located in the basement, the second at midway to the top of the hillock and the third on the hillock, around the sanctum of the Swaminathaswamy shrine. There are sixty steps and each one is named after the sixty Tamil years. The first thirty steps lead to the second precinct of the temple.The second precinct and the largest one of the temple houses a marriage hall and the chariot of the temple. In the ground floor there are temples dedicated to Lord Sundareswarer and Goddesss Meenakshi.

Picture Courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

Darshan Timings:
Morning - 5.00 AM to 11.00 AM
Evening- 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM

Darsan Dresscode

Men are expected to wear dhotis and should remove their shirts/ t- shirts. Women are expected to wear traditional dresses.

Famous Festival

January -Taippucam festival
March - Panguni Uthiram
April -Temple Car festival
May - Visakam festival, Navaratri festival
September - kumbabhisekam
October - Skanda Shashti festival

Aadi Krithigai-This is celebrated in the month of May/June.
Kandha Sashti-Kanta Shasti Vratam is observed once a year in the month of 'Aippasi' (October-November) starting from the 'piratamai' the 1st phase of the brightening moon.
Monthly Kirutikai festival
Tiru Karthikai festival in Nov/December

Culture

Tamil Nadu is home to many natural resources, classical arts, classical music, classical literature, Hindu temples of Dravidian architecture, hill stations, beach resorts, multi-religious pilgrimage sites, and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Swamimalai is a panchayat town near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It lies on the banks of river Kaveri .

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Temple Rituals

The temple rituals are performed six times a day.
Daily pujas to the deities are performed six times a day (six kalams). Usha Kalam, Kalasandhi and Uchikala poojas are performed in the forenoon and the afternoon poojas commencing from Sayaratchai and Rendam kalam are concluded with Arthajama pooja in the night.