About Swamimalai An Abode of Swaminatha Swami

It is situated on a small artificial hillock near Kumbakonam, Tanjore district. The six feet tall idol is known as Swaminatha, who is reputed to have initiated his father Siva into the power and meaning of OM the Pranava Mantra. The temple for Swaminatha, the son, is on a higher pedestal than that of the father(Siva).

Sannadhis in the temple

• Vinayaka
• Sundareswara Swamy (Shiva)
• Meenakshi Amman (Parvati)
• Dakshinamoorty
• Navagrahas

The Swamimalai Murugan Temple, also known as Swaminathaswamy Temple is situated in Swamimalai in Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, which is dedicated to Lord Murugan and also FOURTH among ‘Arupadai Veedu Temples’. It is said that, Swamimalai Murugan Temple was in existence from 2nd century BC, built by the King Parantaka Chola I. When Lord Brahma, the Lord of all creations, at the time of visiting Mount Kailash He disrespected Lord Murugan. The ever playful child Lord Murugan in anger asked Lord Brahma for the meaning of Pranav Mantra “OM”.

Lord Brahma was unable to reply and admitted his ignorance to Lord Murugan and hence Lord Murugan knocked Lord Brahma on His forehead and imprisoned Him. All the creations came to a standstill, since Lord Brahma was imprisoned. The Devas prayed to Lord Shiva to get Lord Brahma released. When Lord Shiva asked Lord Murugan to release Lord Brahma from imprisonment, Lord Murugan demanded that the punishment was for His ignorance and for not knowing the meaning of the Pranava Mantra “OM”.
Lord Shiva asked Lord Murugan whether He Himself was aware of the meaning of Pranava Mantra. Lord Murugan replied He knew the meaning and that He will reveal it only if Lord Shiva accepted Him as Guru (Teacher) and listened to Him as a disciple. Lord Shiva accepted the request of Lord Murugan and listened to the explanation of Pranav Mantra as a devoted disciple, hence the place came to be known as Swamimalai. The temple on the hillock is reached by climbing 60 steps which represents the sixty Years of the Hindu calendar.
In this temple Lord Murugan is seen with an Elephant as His Vahan (Vehicle) instead of Peacock in the sanctum. This elephant is named as ‘Airavadham’ presented to Lord Murugan by Lord Indra. The temple graces with a well called ‘Vajra Theertha’ represents the three divine powers Itcha Shakti, Gnana Shakti, and Kriya Shakti. Swamimalai Murugan Temple has three Gopurams (gateways) and three Praharams (precincts). Six daily rituals at are performed at various times.
Festivals
Monthly Kritika festival
Temple Car festival – April
Visakam festival – May
NavaratriUtsavam
Skanda Shashti – October
Tiru Karthikai festival – November or December
Taippusam festival – January
Panguni Uttiram festival – March
Pooja Timings

Viswaroopa darshan – 05.30 AM
Udhaya Maarthandam – 06.00 AM
Mudhal Kaala Sandhi, Siru Kaala Sandhi and Periya Kaala Sandhi – 08.00 AM
Kalasandhi – 9.00 A.M
Uchikala Poojas – 12.00 P.M
Sayaratchai – 05.30 P.M
Rendam Kalam – 08.00 P.M
Arthajama Pooja – 10.00 P.M
Location and Transportation
By Road:-
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation has buses that connect Swamimalai to almost all the major cities of the state. One can avail of regular buses to Swamimalai from Kumbakonam, Trichy, Chidambaram and Chennai.
By Train:-
Swamimalai does not have a train station, and the nearest station is Kumbakonam, at a distance of 5 kilometers from Swamimalai.
By Air:-
The nearest airport to Swamimalai is in Trichy, and it is situated at a distance of ninety kilometers away.