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Delhi Uttara Swami Malai Temple
Uttara Swami Malai temple commonly known as Malai temple i.e. temple located on a hillock is a sacred Hindu temple situated in New Delhi. The architecture of the shrine reflects Chola style. Huge numbers of Lord Swaminathan devotees visit the temple every year and it is one of the popular attractions in New Delhi.
History
A passionate devotee of lord Murugan celebrated the festival of Skanda Shashti for the first time in New Delhi in the year 1943. The festival gradually became popular and thousands of South Indian devotees began visiting the temple. It was during that time a temple for Lord Swaminathan was planned by the devotees in 1961. Funds for the temple were collected by devotees who formed Sri Swaminatha Swami Seva Samaj. The foundation stone for the Uttara Swami Malai temple was laid in 1965 by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Mr.Bhakthavatsalam. The temple was completed in 1973 and Mahakumbhabhishekham was conducted. In 1990 temples for brother of Murugan -Sree vinayakar, Mother of Murugan – Devi Meenakshi and father of Murugan – Sree Sundareswarar were built. Later in 1995 and 1997 Navagraha temple and Adi Sankara Hall are built.
How to Reach
By Air
Delhi is well connected to other major cities of India by airways. Flight services are available from Indira Gandhi International Airport located in the southwest region of Delhi. The airport offers both domestic and international flight services.
By Rail
Delhi serves as headquarters for Indian Railway Services. The five stations in Delhi – Hazrat Nizamuddin, Old Delhi, Sarai Rohilla, New Delhi and Anand Vihar Railway stations connect Delhi to all major cities of India. From these railway stations one can reach the Uttara Swami Malai temple by using the metro rail services, taxi services or bus services.
By Road
Delhi State Government operated bus services connect Delhi to the bordering states. Bus services within the Delhi city connect various regions of the city. Using public transportation is less expensive compared to taxi services or auto-rickshaws.
Important Shrines
Lord Swaminathan or lord Murugan is worshipped in the temple. Apart from the temple of main deity, temples of Sree Karpaga Vinayakar, Devi Meenakshi, Sree Sundareswarar, Navagraha temple and the Adi Sankara Hall can also seen in the temple premises.
Significance of The Temple
Uttara Swami Malai temple is the only temple where Brahmasthana Prathista was performed. It is temple that was visited by Sankaracharays belonging to the regions of Bhadri, Puri, Kanchi, Sringeri and Dwaraka. The temple is also popular as the place where Sarva Vasikarana Yantra is rooted under the shrine. The Yantra is believed to be powerful at attracting everyone to the temple irrespective of caste, race, religion and nationality. Another unique feature of the temple is it was assembled using 900 huge stones. Mortar or cement was not used to place the stones intact. A paste made of sand and lime using molasses and fruit juices was used to fill the gaps.
Weather and Time to Visit
Best time to visit Delhi is in the months of February to April and August to October as the temperatures remain in the comfortable zone during this period of the year. Summer and winter months are worse. Visiting Delhi in rainy season is also not advisable as traffic often gets blocked on rainy days. It is considered that visiting the temple on Saturday helps to obtain relief from bad days.
Accomodation
Delhi has quite a good number of hotels offering accommodation for the tourists. Choose a hotel in the Vasant Vihar area that is nearby to the Uttar Swami Mali temple and also has eating places offering a variety of cuisine.
Tips For Devotees
- On auspicious days and on Sunday temple timings vary from the regular hours. Hence, enquire the temple authorities before visiting the temple.
- This is the point in Delhi where you get to purchase plantain leaves, kadambam- flower garlands made of various colorful flowers, rose petals, lotus pods and kanakabaram- beautiful orange colored flowers.
- Wonderful sculptures like lion pillar, music pillar, stone bull, trellised window and the stone chain can be seen in the Silpa Kala Mandapam in the temple premises.
- Do not forget to taste the prashad offered here as it has got a very unique taste.
- Spend time walking in the temple premises to enjoy the sharp voices of peacocks. View the surrounding city from the hillock. It is an excellent place to spend time away from the busy and noisy city life.
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