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Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam
Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is located about 8 km from Kumbakonam on the banks of River Cauvery. The temple is one of the six holy abodes of Muruga popularly known as Arupadaiveedu. The presiding deity, Swaminathaswamy is located atop a 60 ft hillock and the shrine of his mother Meenakshi (Parvathi) and father Shiva (Sundareswarar) are located down the hill. The hillock has 60 steps to climb on, each named after the sixty months of the ancient Tamil Calendar.
As per legend, Lord Shiva forgot the Pranava Mantra due to a curse imposed on him by Bhrigumuni. It was then Lord Subrahmanya who taught the mantra to his father helping him regain his knowledge. With Lord Muruga as Guru, Lord Shiva learnt the mantra from him with folded hands and bowed head like a shishya. Hence the shrine of son Subramanya was built on a hillock while that of his father Lord Shiva was built down the hill indicating that Muruga was superior to Shiva at this place. Since Lord Muruga explained the essence of the Pranava Mantra “OM” to his father Lord Shiva, Muruga is known as Swaminathaswamy at this temple.
The common worship practices at this temple include tonsuring by the devotees, ablution of the deity with sandal, panchamirtham (a mixture of five ingredients), milk, Vibhuti(holy ash), carrying milk pots (paalkudam) and Kavadi. The central deity is adorned with diamond Vel every Thursday.
Daily Routine:
Pooja | Timing |
| Usha Kalam | 06:00 AM |
Kalasandhi | 09:00 AM |
| Uchikala Poojas | 12:00 PM |
Sayaratchai | 05:30 PM |
| Rendam kalam | 08:00 PM |
Arthajama pooja | 10:00 PM |
Fee Structure:
Item | INR Price |
| Archanai | 5 |
Kavadi chindu | 50 |
| Tonsure | 10 |
Kalyana Kanekai (Marriage donation) | 300 |
| Abishekam | 1500 |
Special Entrance | 50 |
| Sahasranaamam Archanai | 100 |
Thanga radham swami purapadu (Golden Chariot) | 1201 |
| metal kanekai (metal donation) | 10 |
Ear Boring | 50 |
| Shurru Koyil Abishekam | 300 |
Thiruvaparana sheettu | 10 |
| Muththangi | 100 |
Maavilakku Sheettu | 5 |
| Pattu Parivattam Kanikkai | 20 |
Baaththiram Kanikkai | 10 |
| kaalnadai Kanikkai | 20 |
Ubanayam | 500 |
| Special Entrance per person | 50 |
Annadhanam (Food offering) per day for 100 persons | 2500 |
| Permanent endowment for one day’s Annadhanam Scheme (The Annadhanam will be done on the day of your choice every year ) | 43000 |
For more details, please visit the official website of Swaminathaswamy Temple
Temple Timings:
05:00 AM to 12:00 PM
04:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Temple Address:
Arulmigu Swaminatha Swami Temple,
Thirumanjana Veedhi,
Swamimalai,
Thanjavur – 612302
Temple Contact Details:
Phone: 0435-2454421 , 0435-2454358
E-mail address: swamymalaimurugan@tnhrce.org
How to reach:
By Air:
The nearest airport to the temple is Trichy airport at a distance of 82 km.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is that of Kumbakonam at a distance of 9 km. Thanjavur and Trichy railway stations are 40 km and 78 km respectively from the temple.
By Road:
The nearest accessible bus stations are Kumbakonam, Thanjavur and Trichy at a distance of 9 km, 35 km and 80 km respectively.