Arupadai veedu Murugan Temple
Arulmigu Shri Swamimalai Swaminatha swamy Temple
SWAMINATHA SWAMY TEMPLE
(Thiruverakam / Swami Malai / Parivara Kshetram)
Located in Swamimalai dedicated to Lord Murugan 4 km from Kumbakonam inn Stay. The temple is built on an artificial hill.
The temple is one of the six holy shrines of Murugan called Arupadaiveedu. The shrine of the presiding deity, Swaminathaswamy is located a top a 60 ft (18 m) hillock and the shrine of his mother Meenakshi (Parvathi) and father Shiva (Sundareswarar) is located downhill.
Lord Muruga, the son of Shiva, extolled the meaning of the Pranava Mantra (AUM/OM) to his father at this place and hence attained the name Swaminathaswamy. The legend has that Lord Brahma was imprisoned by Lord Muruga for unaware the meaning of ‘Pranava Mantra’ ‘AUM’. Therefore, the ‘Creation’ has stopped in the Universe; all the deities approached Lord Shiva to resolve this serious issue. Lord Shiva pronounces Lord Muruga to release Lord Brahma. At this moment, Lord Shiva courteously asks his son to reveal the meaning of ‘Pranava Mantra’. Lord Muruga declares his willingness to reveal the meaning of ‘Pranava Mantra’ with certain specific condition. The prerequisite were Lord Shiva should pay all respect to Lord Muruga and accept him as Acharya. Swami Malai is the divine abode of Lord Muruga where Lord as an Acharya performed the ‘Pranavopadesham’ to his father – Lord Shiva.
The temple is believed to be in existence from the Sangam period from 2nd century BC and was believed to have been modified by Parantaka Chola I. The idol of Lord Swaminatha Swamy is 6ft height. In this temple, Lord Swaminatha gives dharshan to his devotees as ‘Acharya’, holding a ‘Dhandam’ (wooden stick) on his right hand, a shunt on the back of the head, flower garlands on the chest and the left hand rests on his thigh. This temple is situated at a height of 60 ft from the ground level with stairs of sixty stone steps leads to hillock
Mangalasasanam: Tamil Poet Nakeerar sung many songs praising the glories of Lord Muruga in his work ‘Thirumurugatrupadai’ and Saint Arunagirinathar also sang nearly 95 sacred verses praising the glory Lord Swaminatha in this temple.
| TEMPLE DETAILS | KM FROM INN STAY | TEMPLE TIMINGS | TEMPLE SPECIALITY |
|---|---|---|---|
SWAMINATHA SWAMY TEMPLE Dedicated to Lord Murugan and Valli, Deivanai Thayar | Around 4 Kms | MORNING – 5:30 am – 12:30 pm EVENING – 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm | Lord Muruga graces devotees in His best attire.The sanctum sanctorum, the peeta – stage- onwhich the Lord stands looks like the Shivlinga Avudayar and theLord as Shivalinga itself. Lord Muruga is the destination for solution of all problems inhuman life. People appeal to the Lord for happy wedding life,child boon, family prosperity, longevity, education, wisdom,higher education, job opportunities, promotion in jobs and forremoval of obstacles in their various endeavours. |