Swamimalai Murugan Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest commercial airport to Kumbakonam is Tiruchirappalli, about 91 km away. Swamimalai is near Kumbakonam.

• By train

  Kumbakonam railway station provides rail connectivity across South India, and Swamimalai is near Kumbakonam.

Why devotees come here

Swamimalai Murugan Temple is one of the Six Abodes of Murugan, on a hillock in Swamimalai near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district. Murugan is worshipped here as Swaminatha Swami, and legend says he taught his father Shiva the meaning of Om. Sixty steep steps lead up to the temple, one for each year of the Tamil calendar.

Swamimalai is one of the Arupadaiveedu, the six abodes of Murugan. Here Murugan is worshipped as Swaminatha Swami. Hindu mythology says he explained the meaning of the Pranava Mantra, Om, to his father Shiva at this place. Legend says this is why the deity is called Swaminathaswamy.

The temple stands on a hillock at Swamimalai, on the banks of a tributary of the Kaveri river. It has three entrances, with a five storey gopuram on the south side. Murugan is shown here with an elephant mount instead of the peacock usually linked with him.

The temple's Kumbhabhishekham, the consecration ceremony, was performed on 9 September 2015. Its major festival, Vaikasi Visakam, marks Murugan's birthday in the Tamil month of Vaikasi.

Festivals

• Tamil month of VaikasiVaikasi Visakam

  The temple's major festival, which marks Murugan's birthday in the Tamil calendar.

Tips for your visit

• The 60 steps up the hill are steep.
• There are three precincts, and the third, at the top of the hill, encircles the sanctum.
• The main idol is 6 ft (1.8 m) tall and holds a stick in its right hand.

Questions people ask