SWAMIMALAI (Thiruveragam)
Arulmighu Swaminatha Swamy Thiru Kovil

The Other Temples in the Arupadai Veedu sung by Nakkeerar are:
1.Thiruparamkunram
2.Tiruchendur
3.Palani
4.Tiruthani and
5.Palamudhircholai
A few Murugan devotees do consider that Marudamalai Murugan temple also deserves to be mentioned as one additional Padai Veedu.

The various names of the presiding deity include Skanda, Swaminatha Swamy, Subrahmanya though the most used name is Thagappan Swami as Lord Muruga is seen as one who preached the Omkara Pranava Mantra to his father Lord Shiva.
 

This temple is of great spiritual importance to the devotees of Lord Skanda - also known as Kanda and Arumuga - as he became a guru to his own father who is considered as the Lord of the universe. It is worshipped by thousands of devotees throughout the year.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE / CITY:
This sacred and ancient temple of Swamimalai - is located on the banks of river cauvery - at a distance of 5 KM along the western side of Kumbakonam in Tamil nadu, India. The temple is located at a height of 60 feet - above an artificial hillock and is reached by a flight of 60 steps - which signify 60 years. This south Indian temple of Swaminatha Swami can be reached easily by motorable roads from Kumbakonam.

TEMPLE PRECINCTS:
There are three prakarams and three entrances in this Murugan shrine. The southen entrance is the main entrance to the temple and the main temple tower (Raja gopuram) - with its 5 tiers - is located above this entrance.There is a temple dedicated to Meenakshi Sundareswarar ( depicting Lord Vishnu giving his sisters hand in marriage to Lord Shiva ) - this temple is known as Kizh Koil . The main temple that enshrines Lord Muruga as Swaminadha swami is known as Mel Koil.

There are several small temples around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. As we enter the 2nd Prakaram, there is a very beautiful structure that portrays the teaching of Omkara by Muruga to Lord shiva. These picturesque scenes from the temple have been videographed vividly in Arupadaiveedu - A Multimedia ecstasy a CD ROM / VCD on Muruga by Cybervalley Systems , India (http://www.cybervalleysystems.com).

Once we cross the 2nd prakaram we can see the temple of Netra Vinayagar (Lord Ganesh who blessed a devotee with eyesight) - along with statues of several other gods and goddesses including Karthaveeryarjuna, Idumban and subramanya swamy.

SANCTUM SANCTORUM :
As we approach the sanctum sanctorum, we pass across worshipping Sabhabathi, Senapathi, Shanmuka with Valli and Devasena - all being various manifestations of Lord Kumara or Karthikeya. There is a beautiful statue of Nataraja or dancing Lord Shiva as well. Poet Saint Arunagirinathar - who sings about this temple in detail in this sacred Tamil hymn Thiruppugazh is also represented in the form of an idol here.

The main lord of swami malai - affectionately called as Swaminadha - is 6 feet tall with broad shoulders holding sakthi vel and dhandam(staff). Instead of Mayil Vahanam or the peacock vehicle, Elephant is depicted as the vahana (divine vehicle) in front of the lord. This feature is very unique, not available in any other temples of Lord Muruga.

Keeping this in mind, Cybervalley Systems has brought out a CD-ROM titled ARUPADAIVEEDU - A MULTIMEDIA ECSTASY that can play on all PCs and select VCD players. It is a multimedia title covering a group of six most sacred temples of Lord Muruga - popularly known as Arupadaiveedu - in south India.

With well researched contents, covering vital details like spiritual significance of the place, legends, puranas, history, festivals and spiritual events, this CD ROM presents a detailed coverage of the temple premises. It also exquisitely brings to life, many pujas and utsavams of Lord Karthikeya - like...

- Thiruparamkundram : Soora Samharam, Chariot Festival and Laksha archana (worship to Lord Muruga by hundred thousand names)
- Thiruchendur : Swing Festival (Oonjal Sevai - where Lord Muruga swings with his consort in a highly tranquill atmosphere)
- Palani : The Golden Chariot Festival (A very famous occation in which golden image of the Lord goes around the temple in Gold Plated Chariot)
- Swamimalai : The Soora Vahana Festival (Lord Muruga is seated above the Asura Soorapadhman and is taken around the temple)
- Thiruthani : Mirror Festival (Kannadi Sevai - where the Lord's Six faces are exposed through a mirror and worshipped)
- Pazhamudhircholai : Bathing Festival (Abhishekam - where the Lord's image is bathed in several holy waters, amidst the veda chanting - Sri Rudhram and Chamakam)

Peace and tranquility are the possible benefits of viewing the CD contents - be it in a group during small functions or alone- in solitude in the background of darkness. For kids- it will be as much fun as watching the cartoons - if only the parents take time to explain the CD contents to their kids with some interest.

To know more about the CD ROM - Click here
To view some of the screenshots from this CD ROM - Click here
To download a demo of this CD ROM - Click here
To purchase this CD ROM - Click here

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE:
The Swaminatha Swamy temple has been patronized by many kings - some of whom includes the Chola King First Paranthaka and Varguna Pandiya, the Pandiyan empire ruler.

HOLY TREE (STALA VRUKSHAM):
The stala vriksham for Swamimalai temple is the Amla tree( Nellimaram) .

HOLY WATER TANKS (THEERTHAMS):
There are five Theerthams or divine water sources, in and around the temple. They are :
· Vajra Theertham,
· Saravana Theertham
· Netra Pushkarini( well)and
· Kumaratturai (Kaveri)

Legend has it that a blind devotee by name Sumathi lost his eyesight because of his sins. Sage Bharatwaja asked him to go and worship Netra vinayaga and take a dip in the Netra teertham to get over his sins and regain his sight. It is believed that the devotee took a dip in the sacred waters and regained his sight as he approached the Netera Vinayagar temple. A glimpse of the Netra Pushkarni is beautifully videographed in the multimedia CD Rom titled - Arupadaiveedu - A Multimedia ecstasy a CD ROM / VCD on Muruga by Cybervalley Systems , India. (http://www.cybervalleysystems.com)

TEMPLE TIMINGS AND DAILY POOJA:
Daily pujas to the deities are performed six times a day (six kalams). Forenoon : Ushat Kalam, Kalasandhi and Uchikala poojas are performed in the and the afternoon poojas commencing from Sayaratchai and Rendam kalam are concluded with Arthajama pooja in the night.

FESTIVALS :
· Monthly Kirutikai festival on the day of the thirunakshathiram Kirthigai
· Teppam festival in January
· Pankuni Uttiram festival in March
· Temple Car festival in April
· Visakam festival in May
· Navaratri festival in October
· Skanda Shashti festival in October
· Tiru Karthikai festival in Nov/December

NEARBY TEMPLES AND TOURIST LOCATIONS:
Chennai (Madras),
Thirupathi (Lord Venkateswara Temple)
Thiruvalangadu

HOW TO REACH ?
Links to Tour & Travel Agencies
chennaionline
madura travel
welcometoursandtravel

WHERE TO STAY ?
Links to sites with details of Kumbakonam Hotels and Lodges
Sterling Resorts
Hotels of India

LINKS TO OTHER MURUGAN TEMPLES IN ARUPADAI VEEDU:
Tiruparamkundram
Tiruchendur
Palani
Tiruthani
Pazhamudhircholai