Swaminatha Swamy Temple
| Swaminatha Swamy Temple | |
|---|---|
Entrance to the temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Thanjavur |
| Deity | Swaminatha (Murugan) |
| Festivals | Vaikasi Visakam |
| Location | |
| Location | Swamimalai |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
Location in Tamil
Nadu, India | |
| Coordinates | 10°57′25″N 79°19′33″E / 10.956844°N 79.325776°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Tamil |
Swaminatha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to god Murugan. It is located on the banks of a tributary of river Kaveri in Swamimalai near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is one of the Six Abodes of Murugan (Arupadaiveedugal). The temple is located atop a 60 ft (18 m)-high hillock with the shrines dedicated to Shiva (Sundareswarar) and Meenakshi (Parvati) is located at the foothill. The temple has three gopurams (gateway towers), and consists of three precincts. Sixty steps, each one named after the sixty Tamil years, lead atop the temple.
As per Hindu mythology, Murugan extolled the meaning of the Pranava Mantra (Om) to his father Shiva at this place and hence the deity is known by the name Swaminathaswamy. It is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple has six daily rituals at various times and three yearly festivals on its calendar. The annual Vaikasi Visakam is the major festival in the temple.