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Top Swamimalai Hotels
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Hotels(3)|Ratings(26)|Reviews(26) Last rated Mar 31st 2013
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#1 |
Rs. 3500
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#2 |
Rs. 600
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#3 |
Rs. 750
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Swamimalai, a popular pilgrim destination, is a panchayat town situated near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Swamimalai is one among the six ‘Padai Veedugal’ or ‘Six Holy Abodes’ (Battle Camps) of Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Karthikeya or Subrahmanya.
Situated on the northern banks of the River Cauvery, the village of Swamimalai is surrounded by popular destinations like Kumbakonam, Tiruvidaimarutur, Mayiladuthurai, Papanasam, Thanjavur and others.
Swamimalai lies in the deltaic region of River Cauvery and is primarily an agricultural town and its main produce is rice and sugar cane. ‘Tiruverakam’ is the original name of the place though it is known popularly as ‘Swamimalai’, which means ‘God’s mountain’. The name ‘Swamimalai’ is derived from the Swaminathaswamy Temple, which is located on a hill, near the banks of River Cauvery.
The shrine of Swamimalai is the fourth among the six Padai Veedugal of Lord Murugan. The six Padai Veedugal of Lord Murugan are Tirupparamkundram, Tiruchendur, Tiruvavinankudi (Palani), Swami Malai, Kundruthoradal (Tiruttani and several other hills) and Palamutircholai. Legend has it, Lord Murugan stayed here during his battle against the demon Soorapadman. Lord Murugan preached the Pranava mantra ‘Om’ to his father Shiva, who was deprived of his knowledge due to a curse from saint Bhrugu, at the same place. Hence, Tiruverakam came to be known as ‘Swamimalai’ and the deity as Swaminatha or Thagapan Swami, indicating that the son (Lord Murugan) is superior to his father (Lord Shiva) in wisdom.
The Swaminathaswamy Temple of Swamimalai is very ancient and this is evident from the fact that it has been praised in ‘Tirumurugaatruppadai’ of the Tamil Sangam period and in Tiruppugazh hymns by Arunagirinathar. Though the shrine has an ancient origin, most parts of the temple were renovated in the 20th century.
The Temple of Swaminathaswamy is built at an elevation on an artificial hill and it can be reached through a flight of 60 steps, as it is based on the age-old Hindu belief of being in tandem with the average life span of humans, which is 60 years.
The vicinity of Swamimalai to the temple town of Kumbakonam draws hordes of pilgrims to this place. Swamimalai has many renowned festivals that attract tourists, which include the Pankuni Uttiram Festival in March, Temple Car Festival in April, Visakam Festival in May and Skanda Shashti Festival held in October, among others.
Swamimalai does not have many options when it comes to shopping. However, the town does have silk sarees and bronze idols, which are a must-buy for tourists. Food served is tradition South Indian fare.
Swamimalai is easily accessible from all the major cities in South India as it is located at a distance of about 8 km from Kumbakonam and 35 km from Thanjavur, on the Kumbakonam – Tanjore (Thanjavur) highway. Trichy, around 95 km from Swamimalai, is the nearest airport. The town does not have a railway station and the nearest station is Kumbakonam, 8 km away.
Swamimalai enjoys a moderate climate and the best time to visit the temple town is between October and March. Tourists can also visit from Swamimalai June to September, when the town receives rainfall.
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Swamimalai is a holy town located in the Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. The destination is one of the six holy abodes (Padai Veedugal) of Lord Murugan. The town derives its name from the Swamimnathaswamy temple situated along the banks of River Cauvery.
There are many attractions in and around the destination and the most popular among them is the Swaminathaswamy temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, worshipped as Swaminathan. It is believed that this temple was built at the site where Lord Murugan defeated demons. The Swaminathaswamy temple has been constructed on an artificial hill and can be reached by climbing sixty steps.
Kumbakonam, a town near Swamimalai, is known for its many temples. The Adi Kumbeswarar, Brahma, Kasi Viswanathar, Ramaswamy and Venkatachalapathy Swamy are some of the popular temples of Kumbakonam. The site is known for the Kumba Mahamaham that takes place once in 12 years.
The Thiruvalanchuzhi village is famous for the Vellayi Pillayar temple. The Tiruvidaimarutur and Papanasam are other popular tourist attractions near Swamimalai. A temple dedicated to Papavinaseswarar in Papanasam is quite popular.
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