This is also called as Swamimalai Murugan Temple and it is located on the Kumbakonam Thanjavur Main Road. The Temple is situated on the banks of River Arasalaaru which is a tributory of River Cauvery. Sri Murugan's official Name is referred as Sri Swaminatha Swamy or Sri Subbiah and the Presiding Deity is as huge as six feet and has Gold Armours, Crown and a Diamond Lance. Sri Murugan graces His Devotees in one of his attires with a ripe, wise and philosopical look sporting a Sacred Ash or Vibuthi on his forehead projecting Himself in a majestic way. The Temple is one among the Arupadai Veedu which means Six Abodes of Sri Murugan. There are multiple entrances to this Temple. Though this Temple has a five tiered South facing Rajagopuram it is partially hidden. A Vel or a Divine Spear is seen along with the Rajagopuram. 

This is a Hilltop Temple but God Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, the Divine Parents are located in a separate Sub Shrine at the foothill of the Temple. The Shrine of Sri Sundareshwarar is East facing and He is seen in the form of a Shiva Lingam. The Idols of Sri Ganapathy, Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, Sri Lingothbhavar, Sri Brahmma, Sri Durgai and Sri Chandikeshwarar are seen around the Koshtam of Sri Sundareswarar's Shrine. His Consort Sri Meenakshi Ambal is seen in Her South facing Shrine in a standing posture. To the rear of Sri Sundareswarar's Shrine are the Idols of Sri Irrattai Vinayagar, Sri Kasi Viswanathar, Sri Visalakshi, Sri Naalvar and Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Subramaniyar. Along with these East facing Idols is the East facing Sub Shrine where the Urchavamoorthy Idols are displayed. The Navagraha Sannadhi and the West facing Sub Shrine of Sri Bhairavar are also seen at the foothill of the Temple.

There are 60 steps leading from the down Hill to the Hilltop Temple and each of the step denotes a Tamil Year making it 60. Initially Devotees may have to climb 30 steps after which the next 30 steps have to be climbed in two stages. Recently Paid Lift Facility has been added for the Devotees who are weak an sick. These 60 steps denote to the 60 Tamil Years. There is a Sub Shrine of Sri Padi Vinayagar who is seen East facing. Then is a huge Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram which is Gold plated and a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam. Usually Sri Murugan possess with His Vaahanam Peacock in most of the places, but here He is found along with Elephant Vaahanam gifted to Him by Indiran. Close to the Dwajasthambam there is a South facing Idol of Sri Nethra Vinayagar who has to be Prayed first. There are multiple gold plated thresholds leading to the Moolasthanam. The first two Dwara Baalakas are of black Idols who have been adorned with gold plating. While entering the multi pillared Moolasthana Mandapam there are East facing Idols of Sri Agasthiyar, Sri Nakkeerar, Nava Veerargal and Sri Brahmma is seen in the midst of the Nava Veerargal. The next pair of Dwara Baalakas are black and massive and they stand guard on either side. Close to the left Dwara Baalaka Idol is the Idol of Sri Bala Subramaniyar. 

In the East facing Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity is seen in a solitary standing posture. The Presiding Deity is resplendent and adorned with a Diamond Vel or Spear. The pedestal on which Sri Murugan stands mounted closely resembles the Shivalinga Aavudayar. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung in praise of the Temple. Sri Murugan's Weapon Vajra Vel represents 1) Itcha Sakthi, 2) Gnana Sakthi and 3) Kriya Saktha the 3 Divine powers. The magnificiant Chariot made out of 7 Kilograms of Gold 85 Kilograms of Silver and other precious metals are simply amazing. The Urchavamoorthy Idols are seen in a closeby Sub Shrine. The Sub Shrines of Sri Bhairavar, Sri Saneeswaran, Sri Suryan and Sri Chandran are all seen West facing. 

The actual hill of the Presiding Deity is an artificial one and it has 3 Gopurams and 3 precincts. It was here that Sri Murugan was taught the Pranava Manthra OM and its meaning. Some Devotees are of the view that this particular Temple existed even before the second century. A majority of the people and Historians accept that this Temple was built by King Paranthaka Cholan I during his days. This Temple was damaged partially during the Anglo French War in 1740 and also when Hyder Ali attacked the British and damaged this particular Temple and its properties beyond repair. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is Amla Tree or Nelli Maram and 1) Vajra, 2) Kumara, 3) Saravana and 4) Nethra are the 4 Sacred Tanks or Pushkaranis. Thiru Karthigai, Chithirai Brahmmothsavam, Vaikasi Visakam are celebrated in a grand manner. There is a Temple Office and closeby is a huge paid vehicular parking facility. This Temple has a Spiritual Book Stall and a Prasada Stall to cater the needs of the Devotees. There are rows of Shops selling Fruits, Flowers, Garlands and other Divine Souvenirs.

Contact Details: V.Nagaraja Gurukkal 81241 49568, M.Baskara Gurukkal 94427 79206, P.Ganesa Gurukkal 94429 32888, P.Karthi Gurukkal 94431 54456, 0435 2454421 and 0435 2454358

Temple Timing: 5 AM to 12 Noon and 4 PM to 10 PM

Distance from Kumbakonam to Swamimalai is 7 Kms

Distance from Trichy or Tiruchirappalli to Swamimalai is 94 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Swamimalai is 40 Kms

Distance from Thiruvarur to Swamimalai is 54 Kms

Distance from Vaitheeswaran Kovil to Swamimalai is 55 Kms

Distance from Mayiladuthurai or Mayavaram to Swamimalai is 42 Kms

Distance from Pazhamudhircholai to Swamimalai is 217 Kms

Distance from Thiruparankundram to Swamimalai is 231 Kms

Distance from Thiruchendur to Swamimalai is 373 Kms

Distance from Palani to Swamimalai is 253 Kms

Distance from Thiruttani to Swamimalai is 285 Kms

Distance from Peruvayal near Devipattinam to Swamimalai is 224 Kms

Distance from Erakaram to Swamimalai is 5 Kms

Distance from Maruthamalai to Swamimalai is 360 Kms

Distance from Ettukudi to Swamimalai is 80 Kms

Distance from Sikkal to Swamimalai is 75 Kms

Distance from Enkann or Engan to Swamimalai is 38 Kms

Distance from Thinniyam to Swamimalai is 57 Kms

Distance from Kilminnal to Swamimalai is 259 Kms

Distance from Theerthagiri to Swamimalai is 267 Kms

Distance from Kailasagiri near Oomarabad to Swamimalai is 318 Kms

Distance from Mailam to Swamimalai is 148 Kms

Distance from Siruvapuri to Swamimalai is 313 Kms

Distance from Andarkuppam to Swamimalai is 296 Kms

Distance from Nadupalani to Swamimalai is 193 Kms

Distance from Cheyyur to Swamimalai is 200 Kms

Distance from Thiruporur to Swamimalai is 249 Kms

Distance from Perumbedu to Swamimalai is 324 Kms

Distance from Perumber Kandigai to Swamimalai is 184 Kms

Distance from Kanchipuram  to Swamimalai is 233 Kms

Distance from Uthiramerur to Swamimalai is 215 Kms

Distance from Elayanarvelur to Swamimalai is 233 Kms

Distance from Sunguvarchatram to Swamimalai is 262 Kms

Distance from Thamtakodi or Thamatakodi to Swamimalai is 253 Kms

Distance from Vallakkottai to Swamimalai is 254 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Swamimalai is 285 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam R.S.

For any Suggestions in the Website: T.Ragavachari  98411 40126