SREE SWAMINATHA SWAMY, SWAMIMALAI

SREE SWAMINATHA SWAMY, SWAMIMALAI

Swamimalai, a small hillock is the abode of Sree Swaminatha Swamy, one of the 6 army camps (arupadaiveedu - ஆறுபடை வீடு) - 4th padaiveedu.   Swamimalai is easily approachable from Kumbakonam and at a distance of 8 kms and on the northern bank of river Cauvery.  Lot of town buses ply from Kumbakonam.  The place in yester years was knwon as Thiruveragam. 

The temple has two entrances and 3 praharams and the south side gopuram has 5 storeys.

The first praharam is at the base of the temple where Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi bless the devotees as we pass the Rajagopuram and Kalyana Mandapam. Here is the Dakshinamurthy sannidhi and also sannidhis for Subramanyar and Mahalakshmi and also the well with 'Vajra Theertha'.  In the inner prahara, Lord Subramanya with Valli alone gives darshan as Senapati and with Deivayanai alone as Sabapathi and as Shanmugar with consorts Valli and Devayanai.  There are sannidhis for veerabahu, Idumban and Arunagirithar also.

In the second praharam, which is midway between the ground and the Lord Swaminatha Swamy sannidhi, after ascending a few steps on the prahara the Sudhai depicting the Upadesam to father Lord Siva can be seen.

The third praharam has the sannidhis of Netra Vinayagar, swaminathar, Urchavar, sani bhagavan, durga and chandikeswarar, surya and chandra bhagavans.   The dwajasthambam is on the third prahara in front of the Sree Swaminatha Swamy.    There are 60 steps to reach the third praharam from the ground depicting the 60 years cycle.  

The Lord here is known as 'Swaminathan' as the he gave the meaning of the Pranava Manthra to Lord Siva, his father.   It is for the reason of not able to spell out the meaning of Pranava Manthra by Brahma, Lord Subramanya took Brahma under his control and did the act of creation himself.  When lord Vishnu approached Lord Siva for the release of Brahma, on instructions from Lord Siva, he released Brahma.  When the father then asked for the meaning of the Pranava Manthra, Lord Subramanya asked his father to be in the proper posture of learning, the lord with folded hands and bowing his head heard what the meaning of Pranava Manthra from Lord Swaminathan. 

It is also said that Saint Bhrugu got a boon before commencing an or penance that anyone disturbing his meditation would forget all his knowledge.  Such was the power of penance, that the sacred fire emanating his head reached the heavens.  The frightened devas approached Lord Siva for his grace and the Lord extinguished the fire and lost his knowledge and the lord Swaminathan taught him the meaning of Pranava Manthra and lord siva regained his knowledge.

Sthala Viruksham is Nellimaram.

Arunagirinathar and Nakkerar have sung in praise of  Lord Swaminatha Swamy.   Nakkerar in his Thirumurgatrupadai has praised the lord as:

இருமூன்று எய்திய இயல்பினின் வழா அது 
இருவர்ச் சுட்டிய பல்வேறு தொல்குடி,
அறுநான்கு இரட்டி இளமைநல் யாண்டு 
ஆறினால் கழிப்பிய அரண் நவில் கொள்கை 

மூன்றுவகைக் குறித்து முத்தீச் செல்வத்து
இருபிறப்பாளர் பொழுதறிந்து நுவல    
ஒன்பது கொண்ட  மூன்றுபுரி நுண்ஞாண்
புலராக் காழகம் புலர உடீஇ
உச்சிக்கு கூப்பிய கையினர், தற்புகழ்ந்து 

ஆறெழுத்து அடக்கிய அருமறைக் கேள்வி 
நாஇயல் மருங்கின் நவிலப்பாடி
விரையுறு நறுமலர் ஏந்திப், பெரிது வந்து 
ஏரகத்து உறைதலும் உரியன்; அதா அன்று.






On every Thursday, the Lord gives darshan with the Vairavel.   Swamimalai is the kuladeivam for the many people living around Kumbakonam.  Tonsure as an offering is done here.  Swaminatha swamy abhishekamm/archanai can be done by contacting the temple authorities and on payment of Rs.3000/-.  Golden chariot of the lord can be taken round the first praharam corridor on payment of Rs.1201/-

Assistant Commissioner / Executive Officer
Arulmigu Swaminatha Swami Temple
Swamimalai - 612 302
Thanjavur district Tamil Nadu, India

Phone: (+91) 435 245-4421

Temple Timings:
Morning: 5.00 am - 12.00 Noon

Evening: 4.00 pm - 10.00 pm