Swamimalai Murugan Temple

Swamimalai Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple located in the township of Swamimalai, 5 km from Kumbakonam on the banks of a tributary of river Cauvery, 250 km from Chennai and is near to Thanjavur in India.

According to Hindu belief, Swamimalai is where Muruga preached what as called as "Pranava mantra" to his own father, Shiva, at a tender age, after arresting 'Brahma' for not answering his question about Pranava Mantra.

Though this temple is considered as one of the Arupadaiveedu of Lord Muruga, the real Padaiveedu lies at a place called 'Thiruveragam', from where the Lord Muruga idol is brought during the 'Soorasamharam' festival.It is one of the Arupadaiveedu, believed to be the six main abodes of Muruga.

ABOUT TEMPLE :

Here Lord Muruga is known as "Balamurugan" and "Swaminatha Swami". The speciality of the temple is that it has been built on an artificial hill. In Tamil language, such an artificial hill is called "Kattu Malai". The next important feature is the steps of this small artificial hill. There are 60 steps and each is named in one Tamil year. There are a total number of 60 Tamil years and hence the 60 steps. Another name for this place is "Thiruveragam".

The temple is built on an artificial hillock of about sixty feet height with sixty beautifully laid stone steps representing the Hindu cycle of sixty years - leading to the Lord . In the ground floor there are temples dedicated to Lord Sundareswarer and Goddesss Meenakshi.

LEGENDS :

According to this temple there is  "Sthala Puranam" which follows as : Once, Lord Brahma, the creator of living beings, had disrespected Lord Muruga (the son of Lord Shiva) at the time of visiting Mount Kailash where Lord Shiva resides. Hence Lord Muruga got angry with Lord Brahma and asked him how he was creating living beings such as people, animals etc. Lord Brahma said that he was creating living beings with the help of the Vedas (The Holy Hinduism Books). On hearing the reply, Lord Muruga asked Lord Brahma to recite the slogans from such Vedas. Brahma started to recite the slogans with the Holy word called Pranav Mantra "Om". At that time Lord Muruga stopped Lord Brahma and asked him to tell the meaning of the holy word "Om". Lord Brahma couldn't tell the meaning and hence Lord Muruga punished him with imprisonment. With Brahma imprisoned, all creations came to a standstill and the devas prayed to Lord Siva to get Brahma released.

Lord Shiva came to Lord Muruga and asked him to release Lord Brahma from imprisonment. Lord Muruga refused to release him on the grounds, that Lord Brahma was not suitable to do the work, as he did not known the meaning of the Pranav Mantra.So Lord Shiva asked Lord Muruga whether he knew the meaning himself and to tell the meaning to him. Lord Muruga told Lord Shiva that he was ready to tell but levied one condition that, even though Lord Shiva who is his father should hear the meaning by giving full respect to him, like the respect given by a student to his master at the time of learning. Lord Shiva accepted the request and heard the meaning of the Pranav Mantra like a student from his beloved son.

This important and interesting incident happened in Swamimalai and hence Lord Muruga is known as "Swaminatha Swami". The meaning of this name is "The Teacher of Lord Shiva". The Lord Muruga idol is 6 feet in height. There are Gold coverings, Gold crown and a Diamond Vel for the Lord.

Pujas and Festivals

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.

The important festivals conducted in the temple are:

1.  Monthly Kirutikai festival;

2.  Temple Car festival in April;

3.  Visakam festival in May;

4.  Navaratri festival in May;

5.  Skanda Shashti festival in October;

6.  Tiru Karthikai festival in Nov/December;

7.  Taippūcam festival in January; and

8.  Pankuni Uttiram festival in March.

Facilities

For the convenience of the pilgrims and devotees, 11 rooms, four cottages, two VIP cottages, one donor cottages, three marriage halls and one dining hall have been constructed and are let out at nominal rent ranging from Rs. 20/- to Rs. 100/- per day only.

Timings :

Viswaroopa darshan 5.30 am
Udhaya Maarthandam 6 am
Mudhal Kaala Sandhi, Siru Kaala Sandhi & Periya Kaala Sandhi from 8 am
Uchikaalam 12.30 pm
Saayaratchai 5 pm
Ardhajaamam 9.15 pm
Ekantham 9.30 pm

In the Tamil month of Maargazhi (December January), the temple opens at 3 am and closes at 8.30 pm.

Abhisheka for Subramanya is performed thrice daily and for Shanmukha on Vishaka star (asterism) day every month and on the first day of the Tamil months of Chitra and Aippasi.
On the last Friday of every Tamil month, the processional deities are taken round the corridor followed by hundreds of devotees.

Pujas are performed according to Kumara Tantra.

HOW TO REACH : 

BY BUS :

Tamil Nadu state transport corporation buses connect Swamimalai with almost all cities in Tamil Nadu. Regular buses are available from Kumbakonam, Trichi, Chidambaram and Chennai to Swamimalai.

BY TRAIN :

Kumbakonam railhead is the nearest railway station to Swamimalai. It is at a distance of 6km from Swamimalai city. This railhead connected by trains from Chennai, Quilon, Tirupathi and Rameshwaram. Travelers can use trains to reach this place comfortably from Chennai and other places.

BY AIR :

The nearest airport to Swamimalai is Trichy at distance of 90 km away. Domestic flights operate from this aerodrome. Regular flights are available to Chennai International airport. The major international airport is at Chennai at distance of about 275 km.