Swamimalai Swaminatha Swamy Temple

Temples are sacred structures designed to bring humans and the Gods together. Temples are also built as a structure to express the ideas and beliefs of Hinduism. When a king travels for a war, he stays with his forces in a camp and that location is called as Padai Veedu. In the same way, Lord Murugan went in a war against the Demon Surapadman and destroyed him. During the war, the Lord Murugan camped in “Thiruchendur”. Though the Lord Murugan camped only in Thiruchendhur, including the other five places, it is collectively called as Aaru Padai Veedu. Swamimalai Murugan Temple is one among the Arupadai Veedu (the 6 Abodes of the Lord Murugan).

Lord Murugan Arupadai Veedu List

1. Thiruparankundram Subramaniya Swamy Temple
2. Thiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple
3. Swamimalai Swaminatha Swamy Temple
4. Palani Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple
5. Tiruttani Subramaniya Swamy Temple
6. Pazhamudircholai Vetrivel Murugan Temple

History of Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai

Swaminatha Swamy Temple located in Swamimalai, Kumbakonam Circle, Thanjavur District is the fourth abode of the Lord Murugan. It is the place where the Lord Murugan preached the Pranava Mantra “Om” to his father the Lord Shiva.

The Lord Murugan is called as Thagapansamy in this temple. It is also known as Kurumalai, Kandasalam, Chiragiri, Sivamalai and Thiruverakam. The name Swamimalai has been established because the Lord here is called as Swaminathan Swamy. The temple is also known as the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple as the Lord Shiva here appears as Lord Sundareswarar alongside Goddess Meenakshi.

Once upon a time the God Brahma, one of the three supreme deities, became arrogant as he considered himself as the Supreme Being as he creates all life on the Earth. He became so self-conceited that the Lord Murugan decided to supress his arrogance.

The Creating God Brahma came to visit the Lord Shiva in Kailasa. The self-conceited Lord Brahma looked down on the Lord Murugan thinking that he was just a kid. Realizing this the Lord Murugan called Brahma and asked him to explain the meaning of the Pranava Mantra and the philosophy behind it. Brahma could not answer. So the Lord Murugan imprisoned Brahma and hence his creating job was affected.

The Devas went to Lord Shiva and requested him upon the release of Brahma as there will be no more birth on Earth if Brahma wasn’t released. Lord Shiva asked his son Murugan to release Brahma. But, Lord Murugan questioned his father that what is the use of Brahma being the Creating God without knowing the meaning of Pranava Mantra?

Lord Shiva is aware about the meaning of the Pranava Mantra “Om”. But, once the Sage Brighu went in penance towards the Lord Shiva for Moksha by placing a curse that whoever disturbs his penance will forget the Brahma Knowledge, so that his penance will not be hindered. Being happy on his penance, Lord Shiva placed his hand on the Sage Brighu and woke him. The Sage was happy about seeing the Lord Shiva and also regrets that his curse will affect the Lord Shiva as he has dissolved his meditation and asks the Lord Shiva for forgiveness. The Lord Shiva gladly accepted he curse of the Brighu sage and this is the reason why Lord Shiva forgot the Pranava Mantra. Hence, the Lord Murugan peached the Pranava Mantra to his father the Lord Shiva in the place called Swamimalai.

The preaching of Lord Murugan for the Lord Shiva started from Thiruvaiyar. The place where Lord Shiva left his holy bull Nandi is called as Nandi Mathagu, the place where he made Lord Ganesha to sit is called as Ganapati Agraharam, the place where he made Goddess Parvati to sit is called as Umayalpuram and the place where he made the River Ganga on his head to sit is called as Gangadharapuram.

Later Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan sat on a hill to complete the preaching. Hence, the Lord here is known as Swaminatha Swamy and the place is called as Swamimalai.

Cauvery: The River Cauvery worshipped the Lord Swaminathan here and the Lord blessed her stay in this place as Kumara Tharai. The Devotees must take a bath in this Kumara Tharai before worshipping the Lord Swaminathan.

Ganga: The River Gangadevi visited Swaminatha Swamy and got her absolution so she asked for the grace to stay in this place along with the River Cauvery and the Lord Murugan also blessed her the same.

Theertham: Pancha Theerthams like Cauvery (Kumaratharai), Netra Pushkarani, Saravana Poikai, Brahmattan Pond and Vajra Theertham are located in this temple area.

Swamimalai Temple Festivals

• Chithirai (Mid – April) – Brahmorsavam – 10 days
• Vaikasi (Mid – May) – Vaikasi Visakha festival 
• Avani (Mid – August)- Pavithrorsavam – 10 days
• Purattasi (Mid – September) – Navratri festival – 10 days
• Ippasi (Mid – October) – Kandasashti festival – 10 days
• Karthikai (Mid – November) – Thirukarthikai Festival- 10 days  
• Markazhi (Mid – December) – Thiruvathirai festival – 10 days
• Thai (Mid – January)– Thaipoosam – 10 days
• Panguni (Mid – March) – Valli Thirukalyanam

Prayers

Devotees flock in large numbers for marriage blessings, child blessings, family prosperity, longevity, education, better wisdom, higher education, employment and career advancement. Worshiping Swaminatha Swamy of this Temple removes all the evils that come to us in the form of troubles, diseases, animals, fire, water, flood and sins committed.

Swamimalai Murugan Temple Timings

Morning: 6 AM to 12 PM
Evening: 4 PM to 9 PM

Swamimalai Murugan Temple Address

10, Vatampokki Street, Taluk, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612302