Imagine a young deity, exuding both valour and wisdom, guiding his father through the mysteries of the universe. This captivating scene forms the heart of Swamimalai, where Lord Murugan, the revered god of war and knowledge, holds a unique place in Hindu mythology. Lord Murugan, revered as the divine teacher, is not only esteemed as a valiant warrior but also celebrated as a sage of great wisdom. He is known for imparting the profound and sacred meaning of the syllable "Om" to his father, Lord Shiva. Lord Murugan is also known as Kartikeya, Subramanya, Kathirvelan, Saravana, Shanmukha, Senthilnathan and numerous other names. Murugan's weapon, the formidable spear known as the "Vel," symbolizes victory, the restoration of peace, and the eradication of all evil forces. In this article, we explore the Swamimalai Murugan temple which is one of the Arupadai veedu of Lord Murugan.
Legend of Swamimalai Temple
According to legend, Swamimalai is the sacred site where an extraordinary event unfolded—a moment of divine instruction that elevated Murugan to the status of a supreme teacher.
As per Hindu legend, Brahma, the god of creation, disrespected Muruga (the son of Shiva) when he visited Mount Kailash, Shiva’s abode. The young Muruga got angry and asked Brahma how he was creating living beings. Brahma replied that he used the Vedas (Hindu scriptures) for creation. Muruga then asked Brahma to recite the Vedas. When Brahma began with the Pranava Mantra, "Om," Muruga stopped him and asked for the meaning of the mantra. Brahma couldn't answer, so Muruga punished and imprisoned him, taking over the role of the creator.
The Devas (celestial deities) were worried about Brahma’s absence and requested Vishnu to intervene. When Vishnu couldn’t help, Shiva himself approached Muruga for Brahma's release. Muruga refused, explaining that Brahma was ignorant of the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. Shiva then asked Muruga to explain it, and Muruga enlightened his father with the meaning of "Om." Impressed and humbled, Shiva listened like a student to a teacher. This act earned Muruga the name "Swaminatha Swami," meaning "The Teacher of Lord Shiva."
In Swamimalai, Muruga is known as "Balamurugan" and "Swaminatha Swami." The temple is built on an artificial hill, known in Tamil as "Kattu Malai." Another name for this sacred place is "Thiruveragam." The temple features sixty steps, each named after one of the sixty Tamil years. The first thirty steps lead to the temple's second precinct, symbolizing a spiritual journey and marking significant milestones in Tamil culture. The second and largest precinct of the temple contains a marriage hall and the temple chariot.
Related Article: The Divine Place: Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple
Slogan for Swamimalai murugan
Gayatri Mantram for Swamimalai Murugan
ஓம் தத்புருஷாய வித்மஹே !!!
ஸ்வாமிநாதாய தீமஹி !!!
தன்னோ குமார ப்ரசோதயாத் !!!
Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe
Swaminathaya Dhimahi
Tanno Kumara Prachodayat
Anadha piruthi Thirupugazh by Thiru Arunagirinathar
கானாளு மெயினர்தற் சாதி வளர்குற
மானோடு மகிழ்கருத் தாகி மருடரு
காதாடு முனதுகட் பாண மெனதுடை ...... நெஞ்சுபாய்தல்
காணாது மமதைவிட் டாவி யுயவருள்
பாராயெ னுரைவெகுப் ப்ரீதி யிளையவ
காவேரி வடகரைச் சாமி மலையுறை ...... தம்பிரானே.
kAnALum eyinar naR jAthi vaLar kuRa
mAnOdu magizh karuththAgi marudaru
kAdhAdum unadhu katbANam enadhudai ...... nenju pAydhal
kANAdhu mamadhai vittAvi uya aruL
pArAy enurai vegup preethi iLaiyava
kAvEri vadakarai sAmi malai uRai ...... thambirAnE
Festival Celebrated in Swamimalai Murugan temple
- Monthly krithigai day
- Thai poosam: January - February
- Panguni Uthiram: March – April
- Vaikasi Visakam: May- June
- Skanda Sashti festival: Celebrated for 6 days in October – November month. This year Skanda Sashti starts in Aippasi month from 2nd November 2024 to 7th November 2024.
- Thirukarthigai: November - December
Swamimalai Murugan Temple timings: Morning opens from 5:00 am to 12:30 pm and Evening opens from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Location: Arulmigu Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam - 612302, Thanjavur District
Contact Number: 0435 245 4421