Murugan rides an elephant here, not a peacock, shared only with Tiruttani
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The surrounding town has cast bronze icons by the lost-wax method since Chola times
5 chapters · about 3 minutes. History, what is remembered here, and what makes this place special.
The day at Swamimalai
NEXT TODAY · 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm TEMPLE TIME
Ardhajama pooja · Yegandha alankaram
Morning
6:00 am – 1:00 pm
Evening
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sixty steps lead up to the sanctum, one for each year of the Tamil cycle. On festival days and monthly Krittikai the shrine is reported to stay open through the afternoon; confirm before relying on it.
Poojas and alankarams
Here Murugan is the teacher rather than the child, and the adornments are correspondingly formal. Thiruvabaranam, the temple's sacred ornaments, is worn for the three principal services of the day.
6:00 am – 7:00 am
Viswaroopa pooja
Nirmalya alankaram
The deity is first seen still wearing the previous night's flowers, before the day's bathing.
9:00 am – 9:30 am
Kalasandhi pooja
Thiruvabarana alankaram
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Uchikkala pooja
Thiruvabarana alankaram
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sayaraksha pooja
Thiruvabarana alankaram
7:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Irandamkala pooja
Sayarakasha alankaram
9:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Ardhajama pooja
Yegandha alankaram
The last service, in the quiet after the crowds have gone.
Published by the temple administration · checked September 19, 2026. Times are the temple’s published schedule, not a guarantee. Services move with the calendar, the crowd and the priests’ discretion, so confirm before you travel for a particular kalam.
Festival days are different
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Vaikasi Visakam and the monthly Krittikai draw large numbers here. Confirm arrangements with the temple before travelling for a festival.
Words used above
Kalam
One of the fixed worship periods of the day. A temple's day is divided into kalams, and each one is a complete service rather than a passing moment.
Abhishekam
The ritual bathing of the deity, with water, milk, sandal, honey and other offerings.
Alankaram
The adornment that follows the bathing: the robes, jewels, sandal and flowers in which Murugan is dressed for that kalam. Several temples give each kalam its own named alankaram, so the same deity is seen in a different aspect through the day.
Deeparadhanai
The waving of lamps that closes a service, when the adorned deity is shown to those standing before the sanctum.
Palliyarai
The night service in the bedchamber, when the processional deity is brought to rest and the temple closes.
Your visit
Self-recorded visits are private. Your six-abode milestone grows with each place you visit.
Find your way
Include the climb to the shrine in the visit plan. Confirm opening times and assistance directly before arrival.
Starting point (optional)
Opens Google Maps for available routes and travel estimates. With no starting point, Maps can use your current location. Opening hours, fares and festival access need current confirmation.
A moment of darshan
Devotional illustration inspired by raja alankaram. Adornments vary with temple practice and occasion.