Uttara Swami Malai Temple

Uttara Swami Malai Temple
Sree Swaminatha Swami Temple at the Malai Mandir Complex in Delhi
Uttara Swami Malai Temple Location in Delhi
Coordinates:	28°34′3″N 77°9′56″E / 28.5675°N 77.16556°E / 28.5675; 77.16556Coordinates: 28°34′3″N 77°9′56″E / 28.5675°N 77.16556°E / 28.5675; 77.16556
Name
Proper name:	Uttara Swami Malai Temple
Location
Country:	India
Location:	R. K. Puram, New Delhi [1]
Architecture and culture
Primary deity:	Sree Swaminatha Swami
Architectural styles:	South Indian Architecture
History
Date built: (Current structure)	Jun 7, 1973
Creator:	Sri Swaminatha Swami Seva Samaj

Uttara Swami Malai Temple (Tamil: உத்தர சுவாமி மைல ேகாவில்), popularly known as Malai Mandir (literally, Hill Temple), is a Hindu temple complex in New Delhi located on the affluent Palam Marg primarily dedicated to Lord Swaminatha (more commonly known as Lord Murugan), most revered by the religious Hindus of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada community in the city.^[2][3]

Architecture

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 Sector-7 R.K. Puram and overlooking Vasant Vihar in South West Delhi. This is 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 the 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, as can be seen at the historic Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

In the Hindu religion, the peacock is considered Lord Swaminatha's mount or vahana. Accordingly, the temple has adopted a peacock as its pet. This peacock can be seen and heard among the trees and foliage within the temple compound.

History

• Sep 8, 1965 The foundation stone for the temple is laid by M. Bhakthavatsalam, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, at a function held under the presidentship of Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri, then Prime Minister of India.

• Jun 7, 1973 The main temple for Lord Swaminatha - Sree Swaminatha Swami Temple - is consecrated and a Mahakumbhabhishekham performed.

• Jun 13, 1990 The temples for Sree Karpaga Vinayakar, Sree Sundareswarar and Devi Meenakshi are consecrated and Mahakumbhabhishekhams performed. A Jeeranoddharana Kumbhabhishekham for the Lord Swaminatha temple is also performed on the same day.

• Jul 7, 1995 The Navagraha temple (nine planets), along with a small temple for Idumban Swami, is consecrated and Kumbhabhishekham performed.

• Nov 9, 1997 The Adi Sankara Hall is inaugurated.

• Jun 27, 2001 The third Punaruddharana, Ashtabandhana and Swarna-Rajatha Bandhana Mahakumbhabhishekham of the temples are performed by H.H. Kanchi Kamakoti Peethadhipati Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal. H.H. Sri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal also participates in the yagna pooja on the night of June 25, 2001.

References

1. ^ Uttara Swami Malai Temple wikimapia.
2. ^ "Tunes in the temple: Delhi's famous Malai Mandir marked the occasion of Skanda Shasthi with a series of fine concerts". The Hindu. Nov 24, 2006. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/11/24/stories/2006112401100200.htm. Retrieved 27 March 2010. 
3. ^ "Delhi: Urban Village". Outlook (magazine). Feb 03, 2006. http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?230055. Retrieved 27 March 2010. 

External links

• Uttara Swaminatha Swami Temple, New Delhi
• Sree Uttara Swami Malai