At Kundukkarai in Ramanathapuram stands the sacred Swaminatha Swamy Temple, a divine abode unlike any other. Here, Lord Murugan is said to have appeared before his battle with the demon Surapadman not in his usual form, but as Vishwaroopam, with eleven faces and twenty-two hands, radiating supreme cosmic power. It is believed that no other temple in the world offers darshan of Lord Murugan in such a magnificent and rare form.

One of the most unique aspects of this temple is the divine posture of Lord Murugan and Lord Shiva. In most temples, Murugan is seen sitting on His father’s lap, explaining the meaning of the Pranava Mantra (Om). But in this temple, the roles are reversed Murugan sits majestically on a hill, teaching, while Lord Shiva stands humbly before Him, listening. This sacred depiction symbolizes the boundless wisdom of Murugan, who is revered as Swaminathan, the Guru even to His own father.

The temple’s name, Swaminatha Swamy Temple, carries a beautiful legend. Around 300 years ago, Bhaskara Sethupathi, the ruler of Ramanathapuram, was a devoted worshipper of the Kundukkarai Murugan. After visiting Swamimalai, he dreamt of Lord Murugan appearing before him, blessing him with guidance. The Lord instructed him to replace the old idol in Kundukkarai with a new one and to name Him Swaminathan, as in Swamimalai, promising prosperity for him and his people.

Following this divine vision, Bhaskara Sethupathi fulfilled the Lord’s command, installing a new idol and naming Him Swaminatha Swamy. From that day onward, the temple became a place of deep spiritual resonance, where devotees feel the living presence of Murugan’s grace.

Source / Image Credit : Kovil Murasu , Samayam Tamil