Uttara Swami Malai Temple

Uttara Swami Malai Temple

Sree Swaminatha Swami Temple at the Malai Mandir Complex in Delhi
Uttara Swami Malai Temple
Location in Delhi
Coordinates:
Name
Proper name: Uttara Swami Malai Temple
Location
Country: India
Location: R. K. Puram, New Delhi [1]
Architecture and culture
Primary deity: Sree Swaminatha Swami
Architectural styles: South Indian Architecture
History
Date built:
(Current structure)
Jun 7, 1973
Creator: Sri Swaminatha Swami Seva Samaj

Uttara Swami Malai Temple (Tamil: உத்தர சுவாமி மைல ேகாவில்), popularly known as Malai Mandir (literally, Hill Temple), is a Hindu temple complex in New Delhi located on the affluent Palam Marg primarily dedicated to Lord Swaminatha (more commonly known as Lord Murugan), most revered by the religious Hindus of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada community in the city.[2][3]

Contents

Architecture

The main temple within the complex, formally called Sree Swaminatha Swami Temple, houses the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Swaminatha. It is situated atop a small hillock in Sector-7 R.K. Puram and overlooking Vasant Vihar in South West Delhi. This is in keeping with the tradition of locating Murugan temples on hills. The sign outside the main temple is written in Tamil, proclaiming Lord Swaminatha's motto, "Yaamirukka Bayamain" meaning "Why fear when I am there?". The temple is built entirely of granite, and is reminiscent of the Chola style of South Indian Temple Architecture.

Besides the main Swaminatha Swami Temple, the complex contains temples dedicated to Sree Karpaga Vinayagar (elder brother of Lord Swaminatha), Sree Sundareswarar (father of Lord Swaminatha) and Devi Meenakshi (mother of Lord Swaminatha). These subsidiary temples draw inspiration from the Pandya style of South Indian Temple Architecture, as can be seen at the historic Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

In the Hindu religion, the peacock is considered Lord Swaminatha's mount or vahana. Accordingly, the temple has adopted a peacock as its pet. This peacock can be seen and heard among the trees and foliage within the temple compound.

History

References

External links