Information of Swaminatha Swamy Temple (Swamimalai Murugan Temple), Swamimalai, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Swaminatha Swamy Temple (Swamimalai Murugan Temple) is of the hindu religion and is located in Swamimalai which is in Tamil Nadu. The temple is built on the banks of a tributary that feed river Cauvery 5 kilometres from Kumbakonam. This temple is a highly revered one as it is one of the six holy temples that is dedicated to lord Murugan known as Arupadaiveedu. This temple has three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Parvati and the presiding diety Swaminathanswamy. This temple is known to be one of the oldest temples and has been known to exist from 2nd century BC which is known as the Sangam period. The temple is believed to have been modified by the Chola ruler Parantaka I and at present is maintained by the Hindu religious and Endownment board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Swaminatha Swamy Temple (Swamimalai Murugan Temple) Religious Significance

This temple being one of the six holy shrines dedicated to lord Murugan gives it a high status in case of reverence. This temple is known as Arupadaiveedu which means one of the six main abodes of the lord and marks a phase of his life. In accordance to the beliefs of the Hindus, Swamimalai is the place where Muruga preached the "Pranava mantra" to his father lord Shiva at a very young age when Lord Brahma the creator could not. The Tamilian culture holds this lord in very high reverence and therefore his temples are highly respected. This particular temple according to legend being the place where he preached one of the six connotations makes it much more sanctified and holy.

Swaminatha Swamy Temple (Swamimalai Murugan Temple) Mythology & History

Legend has it that Brahma was visiting Mount Kailas the home of Lord Shiva and when he was here he disrespected the son of Shiva Muruga. The disrespectful nature of Brahma angered Muruga and hence he asked Brahma as to how he was creating living beings. To this Brahma replied that he was creating living beings with the help of the Vedas and then he was asked to recite texts from the Vedas. He did so beginning with the holy Pranav mantra "Om" when he was stopped by Muruga and asked to explain the meaning. Brahma couldn't reply as a result Muruga hit Brahma on the head with a clenched fist and punished him with imprisonment. He then took on the role of the creator to which the Devas were not so agreeable. They asked Vishnu the preserver to help them but he too could not persuade Muruga to release Brahma. As a result they had to persuade lord Shiva to tell his son to let Brahma go.

When Shiva approached his son with a request to let Brahma go, he refused saying that Brahma didn't know the meaning of the Pranav mantra. Shiva then asked his son to explain it which he did this earning the name "Swaminatha Swami" meaning the teacher of Shiva. As a result of this legend the temple of Muruga is located on top of the hillock while the shrines of Shiva and his consort are located below the hillock.

Swaminatha Swamy Temple (Swamimalai Murugan Temple) Architectural Significance

The temple is built on top an artificial hillock known as "Kattu Malai". The temple has three gopurams or gateway towers and three precincts which are placed apart in terms of elevation of the hill. The first precinct is located in the basement, the second is located midway of the hillock and the third one is atop the hillock. Each precinct has different shrines dedicated to different gods however the one atop the hill is dedicated to lord Muruga. His idol is about 6 feet tall has golden armour, crown and a lance of diamond. This shrine is the most revered shrine in this temple. Other than this shrine with the image of Swaminathan there are others which have the images of lingam, Meenakshi, Durga, Chandikeshwar etc. The architectural beauty of the temple and the holiness makes a renowned temple of Tamilnadu.

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