Blog on Swamimalai Murugan temple, Kumbakonam

written by G. Lakshmi Ramesh, Founder, Shiirdi.in

Being one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, Swamimalai temple is hugely simple, pure but powerful, but don’t use it as a tick mark destination, that is, I visited this place for the sake of counting. Why and for what reason . The temple is The “Son as Guru” Legend: This is the sacred site where Lord Murugan acted as a preceptor to Lord Shiva, explaining the true meaning of the primordial sound “Om”.

The Sixty Sacred Steps: The temple sits atop an artificial hillock reached by climbing exactly 60 steps. Each step represents one of the 60 years of the Tamil cyclical calendar.

Elephant Vahana: Unlike most other shrines where Lord Murugan rides a peacock, the main deity here is depicted with an elephant (Airavatham) as his divine vehicle, which was gifted by Lord Indra. [1, 2]

Center of Wisdom: Devotees and students flock to the temple seeking divine blessings for intellect, knowledge, and educational success.

How to reach

It is located near Kumbakonam, the temple town of Tamilnadu. even may be of India . It is roughly 9 kms from kumbakonam through state highways, if you want to take national highways, distance will be much higher. It all depends upon your convenience and your itinerary. Direct mini- buses available, passing through paddy field villages for the later part of the travel, which may not exceed 30 minutes. Its better to avoid hiring auto , point to point or clubbing others,as you can avail local autos as soon as you alight . I feel its advisable unless kids or senior citizens , accompany you. The decision is yours, but safety with security should be the top priority though these places are mostly safe. If two people are there, then hiring auto is advisable in terms of economy instead of hiring cab, but if four persons, hiring cab would be prudent , if kid or senior citizen accompany you, subject to your budget affordability. If you go by bus, roughly 300 metres or three minutes of walk from the alighting point to the main entrance of the temple.

At the temple

Its a very small area , not walkable to have darshan of the presiding deity, as 60 steep steps have to be used. Senior citizens, able and like to have darshan of the presiding deity , Lord will be there to assist them, if not feasible, kindly avoid boarding the steep steps , without testing your faith. Its advisable to accompany those are with kids and senior citizens, on either side as precaution. Tuesdays is Lord’s day , so take care , along with other important festival days to avoid rush.

Purchase of Idols / statues

One important advise, the purchase of idols or statues , copper or bronze, be decisive unless you are very sure about the quality and pricing. To me personally, its better to purchase either directly or indirectly through whatsapp from Shri Swaminathan & Co, Kumbakonam, where quality is assured with better pricing. The address details are available in the internet. Take it from me, I am not an agent or influencer of this shop/firm, I suggest this in good faith and if you trust, buy it but check and verify the details, before purchase in person or otherwise.

Inside the Temple

Purely its your devotion and faith which plays the ultimate, of course decided by the LORD. Avoid distraction, meditate on him in whatever way you feel or think it is comfortable, do it. Don’t worry about the procedures , what others are following or what other devotees have brought, rich or poor. Offer which is within your means and conscience , the communication should be between you and the Lord.

Other Historical temples

If you are coming by cab, from Renigunta, kindly visit historical temples in Nagari, Surutupalli, Narayanavanam, worth worshipping. You also find just before Nagari town, Shiirdi Saibaba temple, the presiding deity almost similar to Samadhi Mandir, Shiirdi.These are all subject to your pilgrimage/tour programme.

Lord Muruga blesses you