Swamimalai

This article is about the township of Swamimalai. For the article about the temple, see Swamimalai Murugan Temple.
Swamimalai
city
Swamimalai
Coordinates: 10°57′N 79°20′E / 10.95°N 79.33°E / 10.95; 79.33Coordinates: 10°57′N 79°20′E / 10.95°N 79.33°E / 10.95; 79.33
Country  India
State Tamil Nadu
District Thanjavur
Elevation 25 m (82 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 6,985
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

Swamimalai is a panchayat town 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.

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 Father of God).

Geography

Swamimalai is located at 10°57′N 79°20′E / 10.95°N 79.33°E / 10.95; 79.33.[1] It has an average elevation of 25 metres (82 feet).

Demographics

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.

Swamimalai Bronze Icons

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]

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 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  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. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Vidya Dehejia (2007). Chola: Sacred Bronzed of Southern India. Harry N. Abrams. p. 21. ISBN 9781903973837.
  6. 1 2 "Worldwide demand for Swamimalai bronze icons". The Hindu. 11 October 2009.
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