Uttara Swamimalai Temple, New Delhi

Address

Palam Marg, Sector 7, Rama Krishna Puram,

New Delhi, Delhi 110022

Moolavar

Lord Swaminatha(Lord Murugan)

Introduction

The Uttara Swami Malai Temple, commonly known as Malai Mandir (Hill Temple), is a significant Hindu temple located on Palam Marg in New Delhi, India. The temple is dedicated primarily to Lord Swaminatha, also known as Lord Murugan. Situated on a small hillock in Sector-7 R.K. Puram, overlooking Vasant Vihar, it is easily accessible via the nearest metro station, Vasant Vihar, which is approximately 2 km away.

Puranic Significance:

Foundation and Consecration: The foundation stone for the temple was laid on September 8, 1965, by M. Bhakthavatsalam, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, during a function presided over by Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri, then Prime Minister of India. The main temple, Sree Swaminatha Swami Temple, was consecrated on June 7, 1973, with a Mahakumbhabhishekham (grand consecration ceremony). Later, on July 7, 1995, the Navagraha temple (dedicated to the nine planetary deities) and a small shrine for Idumban Swami were consecrated, followed by another Kumbhabhishekham. The Adi Sankara Hall was inaugurated on November 9, 1997.

Special Features:

Temple Architecture: The main temple, Sree Swaminatha Swami Temple, is built entirely of granite and reflects the Chola style of Tamil architecture, known for its grandeur and intricate details. The temple is situated on a hillock, consistent with the traditional practice of placing Murugan temples on elevated sites. The exterior of the main temple features a Tamil inscription with the motto “Yaamirukka Bayamain,” which translates to “Why fear when I am there?”
Peacock as the Temple Mascot: In keeping with the tradition where the peacock is considered Lord Swaminatha’s vahana (mount), the temple has adopted a peacock as its pet. Visitors can often spot and hear this peacock among the trees and foliage within the temple grounds.
Subsidiary Temples: The temple complex also houses shrines dedicated to Sree Karpaga Vinayagar (Lord Swaminatha’s elder brother), Sree Sundareswarar (Lord Swaminatha’s father), and Devi Meenakshi (Lord Swaminatha’s mother). These subsidiary temples draw inspiration from the Pandya style of Tamil architecture, reminiscent of the historic Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.