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Arulmigu Swamimalai Swaminatha Swamy Temple / Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai in Kumbakonam – Where Lord Murugan preached Pranava Mantra – the Om Mantra to Lord Shiva & the Fourth Arupadai Veedu – the Six Abodes of Lord Murugan – Visit, History, Temple Timings, Contact Number, Travel Guide
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Arulmigu Swamimalai Swaminatha Swamy Temple / Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai in Kumbakonam – Where Lord Murugan preached Pranava Mantra – the Om Mantra to Lord Shiva & the Fourth Arupadai Veedu – the Six Abodes of Lord Murugan – Visit, History, Temple Timings, Contact Number, Travel Guide

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Story & Photography by
Balakumar .M

Balakumar M

Editor of CasualWalker — Balakumar M is an avid traveler and documentary photographer who has authored over 650+ travel and culture photo guides since 2017 and is ranked as one of the top 50 travel blogs in India. He is passionate about discovering, documenting, and sharing unique visual stories that celebrate travel, culture, heritage, spirituality, and the arts. An international award-winning technologist and entrepreneur, he has been honored with the Top 50 Asia Innovation Award from SingTel, Singapore and the Top 100 Startups Award from NASSCOM. With over 19+ years as a multidisciplinary software consultant and architect specializing in UI/UX design and product engineering, he is also a certified yoga instructor and a TEDx Fellow. Read more | ✉ Email


Arulmigu Swaminatha Swami Temple / Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai in Kumbakonam – Where Lord Murugan preached Pranava Mantra – the Om Mantra to Lord Shiva & the Fourth Arupadai Veedu – the Six Abodes of Lord Murugan – Visit, History, Temple Timings, Contact Number, Travel Guide (Updated)

– famous chola kingdom’s hilltop murugan temple

 

Swamimalai Swaminatha Swamy Temple / Arulmiku Swaminathaswamy Temple is the fourth of the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan. It is a famous place for preaching the Pranava mantra – the Om to Lord Shiva. That is why we call Lord Muruga who resides here as Swaminathan, Thaggapanswamy. Due to this, this temple is also called Swamimalai and also called Kurumalai, Kandachalam, Siragiri, and Shiva Malai because of its grace as a Guru. Another name for this temple is Thiruveragam. This temple is located 5 km from Kumbakonam, along the banks of a Cauvery river, the temple attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees annually.

The Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple was constructed by a Chola King way back in the 2nd century. The temple is also known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple as Shiva is named as Sundareswarar, Parvathy is named Meenakshi here.

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History of Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam

The history of Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple / Arulmiku Swaminathaswamy Temple is engraved inside the Swamimalai temple. The temple echoes the legendary clash between Lord Muruga and Lord Brahma – the god of creation, atop Mount Kailash. Lord Muruga’s intellectual prowess shone as he questioned Lord Brahma about the meaning of the Pranava Mantra – the OM Mantra. When Brahma faltered, Lord Murugan assumed the role of the creator himself, marking a divine episode immortalized within the temple’s sacred walls.

Saint Arunagirinathar in Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam

At this temple, the Saint Arunagirinathar, a 15th-century poet, found divine inspiration after a miraculous survival. Arunagirinathar composed the famous – “Thiruppugazh” within these sacred grounds, extolling the beauty of Murugan and Swamimalai. His hymns and poems praising Muruga continue to resonate, creating a spiritual ambiance within the temple precincts.

Temple Architecture Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam

Swamimalai is a roofed temple built with lots of black stones, one of the amazing oddities is the presence of thousands of black stone temples in the hilly district of Tanjore. The third Prakaram is at the foot of the hill. The second Prakaram is located in the middle of the Katumalai and the first Prakaram is located at the top of the Katumalai around Lord Swaminatha.

Situated at the top of the hill, which is generally called “Kattu Malai”, – the sixty significant steps lead the 60-foot structure all the way. The sixty steps bearing the names of the sixty Tamil years are divided into two parts. The shrine of Lord Sundaresar and Goddess Meenakshi is in the basement of the hill while that of Murugan lies at the top of the sixty feet hillock.

The shrine of Lord Muruga was laid atop the hills of Swamimalai and Shiva Parvathy’s shrine was in the basement. Lord Muruga majestically standing as a four and a half feet tall deity. He is depicted as Karunamurthy with a spear in his right hand, his left hand on his hip, and the head of Urthuva Chikamudi and Poonul and Rudraksha on his chest. We can see wisdom and gentleness crawling on the face.

In the Maha mandapam, instead of a peacock, Lord Murugan stands on an elephant named Airavatam, given to Lord Murugan by Indra.

The temple has three gateway towers known as “Gopurams” with three “Praharams”. The south-facing Rajagopuram has five levels. Most of the time, devotees enter the temple through the east terrace tower. Because upon entering, one gets a darshan of Lord Ganesha, he is known as the Kan kombucha Ganapathy – the Ganapati who gave eyes – because he blessed a woman from Chettinad with her vision. Even today, Lord Ganesha at this temple bestows good eyesight on the devotees who worship him.

Travel Tips for Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam:

Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple Address:
Arulmigu Swamimalai Swaminatha Swamy Temple
10, Vatampokki Street, Taluk, Swamimalai,
Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612302
Contact number:  +91 – 435 245 4421

Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai Temple timings:
6:00 AM to 1:00 AM, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Moolavar: Swaminath, Subbiah
Thayar: Valli, Deivanai
Holy Tree: Nellimaram
Holy water / Theertha: Vajra Theertha, Kumaradarai, Saravana Theertha, Netra Kalam, Brahma Theertha
Mythological name: Thiruveragam

How to reach Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam:

On Road: The roads of Swamimalai Temple are well connected with the nearest cities. You can easily reach this temple by using any local transport services or by using your vehicle.

On Railway: Kumbakonam Railway Station is the nearest station to Swamimalai and it lies at a distance of 8 kilometers from Swamimalai city.

On Airway: The nearest airport to Swamimalai Temple is Trichy Airport which is located at a distance of about 82km away from this temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by using local transport services.

Similar Famous Lord Murugan Temples you may like to Visit:

Ratnagiri Arulmigu Balamurugan Temple, One of the Ancient Lord Murugan Temple built in 14th Century on the hilltop of Ratnagiri Kilminnal in Vellore – Visit, History, Temple Timings, Contact Number, Travel Guide

Thiruchendur Lord Murugan – Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Temple, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi – Best & Famous Murugan Temple in India – Visit, Travel Guide (Updated)

Batu Caves / Batu Malai Sri Subramaniam Temple History, Timings – The Famous Lord Murugan Temple In Gombak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Visit, Travel Guide, Videos

Kunnakudi / Kundrakudi Shanmughanathar Murugan Temple, Tirupattur – Best & Famous Murugan Temple In Chettinad, India – Visit, Travel Guide (Updated)

Subramanya Temple, Mahabalipuram / Mamallapuram – The Oldest Lord Murugan temple in the World- Visit, Travel Guide

Sri Rana Bali Murugan Temple in Peruvayal at Ramanathapuram – Temple with the unique feature of Lord Murugan residing within his weapon, the Vel—the divine spear / Best & Famous Murugan Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide (Updated)

Kumarakottam Murugan Temple, Kanchipuram – Best & Famous Murugan Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide

Pazhamudircholai / Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple, Arupadai Veedu Temple Madurai – Best & Famous Murugan Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide



295467



Photographed, documented, & posted by

Balakumar .M

Editor of CasualWalker — Balakumar M is an avid traveler and documentary photographer who has authored over 650+ travel and culture photo guides since 2017 and is ranked as one of the top 50 travel blogs in India. He is passionate about discovering, documenting, and sharing unique visual stories that celebrate travel, culture, heritage, spirituality, and the arts. An international award-winning technologist and entrepreneur, he has been honored with the Top 50 Asia Innovation Award from SingTel, Singapore and the Top 100 Startups Award from NASSCOM. With over 19+ years as a multidisciplinary software consultant and architect specializing in UI/UX design and product engineering, he is also a certified yoga instructor and a TEDx Fellow.

Casual Walker journal visually guides readers through thoughtful and unique photography stories and insightful guides on travel, traditions, heritage, culture, arts, Indian temples, museums, events, cuisine, dance, drama, music performances, nature, wildlife, hotels, yoga, vedas, travel gear, and reviews. read more

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