Swamimalai Murugan Temple

Swamimalai Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple located in the township of Swamimalai, 5 km from Kumbakonam on the banks of a tributary of river Cauvery, 250 km from Chennai and is near to Thanjavur in India.^[1]

Arupadai Veedu

It is one of the Arupadaiveedu, believed to be the six main abodes of Muruga. According to Hindu belief, Swamimalai is where Muruga preached what as called as "Pranava mantra" to his own father, Shiva, at a tender age, after arresting 'Brahma' for not answering his question about Pranava Mantra. Though this temple is considered as one of the Arupadaiveedu of Lord Muruga, the real Padaiveedu lies at a place called 'Thiruveragam', from where the Lord Muruga idol is brought during the 'Soorasamharam' festival.

The Temple

In Swamimalai, Lord Muruga is known as "Balamurugan" and "Swaminatha Swami". The speciality of the temple is that it has been built on an artificial hill. In Tamil language, such an artificial hill is called "Kattu Malai". The next important feature is the steps of this small artificial hill. There are 60 steps and each is named in one Tamil year. There are a total number of 60 Tamil years and hence the 60 steps. Another name for this place is "Thiruveragam".

Legend

The history of the temple known as "Sthala Puranam" is as follows: Once, Lord Brahma, the creator of living beings, had disrespected Lord Muruga (the son of Lord Shiva) at the time of visiting Mount Kailash where Lord Shiva resides. Hence Lord Muruga got angry with Lord Brahma and asked him how he was creating living beings such as people, animals etc. Lord Brahma said that he was creating living beings with the help of the Vedas (The Holy Hinduism Books). On hearing the reply, Lord Muruga asked Lord Brahma to recite the slogans from such Vedas. Brahma started to recite the slogans with the Holy word called Pranav Mantra "Om". At that time Lord Muruga stopped Lord Brahma and asked him to tell the meaning of the holy word "Om". Lord Brahma couldn't tell the meaning and hence Lord Muruga punished him with imprisonment. With Brahma imprisoned, all creations came to a standstill and the devas prayed to Lord Siva to get Brahma released.

Lord Shiva came to Lord Muruga and asked him to release Lord Brahma from imprisonment. Lord Muruga refused to release him on the grounds, that Lord Brahma was not suitable to do the work, as he did not known the meaning of the Pranav Mantra(Hindi: ॐ AUM).So Lord Shiva asked Lord Muruga whether he knew the meaning himself and to tell the meaning to him. Lord Muruga told Lord Shiva that he was ready to tell but levied one condition that, even though Lord Shiva who is his father should hear the meaning by giving full respect to him, like the respect given by a student to his master at the time of learning. Lord Shiva accepted the request and heard the meaning of the Pranav Mantra (Hindi: ॐ ) like a student from his beloved son.

This important and interesting incident happened in Swamimalai and hence Lord Muruga is known as "Swaminatha Swami". The meaning of this name is "The Teacher of Lord Shiva". The Lord Muruga idol is 6 feet in height. There are Gold coverings, Gold crown and a Diamond Vel for the Lord.

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