Swamimalai

Swamimalai is a panchayat town that is a suburb near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It lies on the banks of river Kaveri and is one of the six abodes of the Lord Muruga.

This article is about the township of Swamimalai. For the article about the temple, see Swamimalai Murugan Temple.

Swamimalai
panchayat town/Sub urban
Swamimalai Murugan Temple
Swamimalai Murugan Temple
Swamimalai is located in Tamil Nadu
Swamimalai
Swamimalai
Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu
Coordinates: 10.9596°N 79.3325°E / 10.9596; 79.3325
Country India
StateTamil Nadu
DistrictThanjavur
Elevation
55 m (180 ft)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total6,985
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)

History

The town has one of the six abodes of Karthikeya and the temple is fourth among the Padai Veedugal. According to Hindu mythology, Karthikeya explains the meaning of pranavam to His father Lord Shiva at Swamimalai. Hence, one can see the Karthikeya depicted as Guru (teacher) and Shiva listening as shishya (disciple) in the gopuram of the temple complex. The God is given by the name Swaminathan and Thagapan Swami (literally God of Father).

Geography

Swamimalai is located at 10.95°N 79.33°E / 10.95; 79.33.[1] It has an average elevation of 25 metres (82 feet).

Topography

It lies on the banks of river Kaveri

Demographics

Population

As of 2001 India census,[2] Swamimalai had a population of 6985. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Swamimalai has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 70%. In Swamimalai, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Government and politics

It is a panchayat town that is a suburb near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District.

Culture

Art and handicrafts

Swamimalai Bronze Icons refers to bronze idols and statues manufactured in Swamimalai.[3] It has been recognized as a Geographical indication by the Government of India in 2008–09.[4] During the reign of Chola empire, Raja Raja I commissioned a group of sculptors for the construction of the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur.[5][6] The sculptors helped sculpt statues for Airavatesvara Temple and later settled at Swamimalai.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Swamimalai".
  2. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  3. German Mining-museum Bochum (2008). Masters of Fire: Hereditary Bronze Casters of South India. David Brown Book Company. p. 30,32. ISBN 9783937203379.
  4. "Geographical indication". Government of India. Archived from the original on 26 August 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  5. Vidya Dehejia (2007). Chola: Sacred Bronzed of Southern India. Harry N. Abrams. p. 21. ISBN 9781903973837.
  6. "Worldwide demand for Swamimalai bronze icons". The Hindu. 11 October 2009.
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