Swamimalai Murugan Temple, Kumbakonam

Description :
Swaminatha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to god Murugan. It is located in Swamimalai, 5 km from Kumbakonam, on the banks of a tributary of river Kaveri in Thanjavur District, 250 km from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is fourth abode of Murugan among six (Arupadaiveedugal). The shrine of the presiding DEITY, Swaminathaswamy is located atop a 60 ft (18 m) hillock and the shrine of his mother Meenakshi (Parvathi) and father Shiva (Sundareswarar) is located downhill. The temple has three gopuram (gateway towers), three precincts and sixty steps and each one is named after the sixty Tamil years. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and three yearly FESTIVALS on its calendar. The annual Vaikasi Visagam festival is attended by thousands of devotees from far and near.

About the Temple:

LOCATION: 10, Vatampokki Street, Taluk, Swamimalai, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612302.
COUNTRY: India
NEAREST AIRPORT: Tiruchirapalli (TRZ).
BUILT-IN: 2nd century BC
BUILT-BY:Parantaka Chola I.
DEITY: Swaminatha(Kartikeya).
ARCHITECTURAL STYLES: Dravidian architecture.
FESTIVALS: Chithira,Brahmorsavam,
TEMPLE TIMINGS: 5.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:November / December