R.K.PURAM

Swaminatha Swami Temple

This temple, popularly known as Malai Mandir (literally, Hill Temple), is located at Palam Marg (Outer Ring Road), Ramakrishna Puram on the top of a 90 feet high hillock.
History - In the year 1961, in a dream of a devotee Lord Swaminatha appeared and indicated the present hillock as his abode. After much efforts the temple was inaugurated on 7 June 1973 with performance of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam in the presence of the Shankaracharyas.
Temple - The main temple within the complex, formally called Sree Swaminatha Swami Temple, houses the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Swaminatha. It is situated atop a small hillock in keeping with the tradition of locating Murugan temples on hills. The sign outside the main temple is written in Tamil, proclaiming Lord Swaminatha's motto, "Yaamirukka Bayamain" meaning "Why fear when I am there?". The temple is built entirely of granite, and is reminiscent of Chola style of South Indian Temple Architecture. Besides the main Swaminatha Swami Temple, the complex contains temples dedicated to Sree Karpaga Vinayagar (elder brother of Lord Swaminatha), Sree Sundareswarar (father of Lord Swaminatha) and Devi Meenakshi (mother of Lord Swaminatha). These subsidiary temples draw inspiration from the Pandya style of South Indian Temple Architecture. The temples of the 'Nava Grahas' (9 planetary dieties) and the magnificient Aadhi Sankara Hall are located midway up the hill. The Aadhi Sankara Hall is regularly used for conduct of bhajans, medidation sessions, prayers etc. The Navagraha temple along with a temple of Idumban was consecrated on the 7th of July, 1995. The Adi Sankara Hall was inaugurated on the 9th of November, 1997. The temple of Lord Swaminatha has several unique features. Brahmasthana pratishta has been done here with dieties delineated in human form housed in the garbha griha. Here a Sarva Vasikarana Yantra is embedded under diety which acts as a strong magnet attracting all to the shrine. The temple is built of 900 massive stones, weighing three to four tons each, assembled together without the use of cement or mortar. The crevices have been filled with a mixture of lime and sand.
Silpa Kala Mandapam - It does not house any diety but houses several exquisite cultural pieces like the lion pillar, the trellised window, the music pillar, the stone chain and stone bull. This was constructed as per the advice of H.H. Sri Maha Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and inaugurated on 18 September 1983.
Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple - This is located at the base of the hillock and was inaugurated on 13 June 1990 with performance of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam. This has been constructed in the Sudhai style of the temples constructed by the Pandya kings. The temple has three Sannidhis viz Vinayagar, Meenakshi and Sundareswar, Mukha mandapam, Vimanam, Prakara mandapam, Maha mandapam with 32 pillars.

Timings - Morning: 6-11.30 am; Evening:5-9 pm