Skandasramam, Udayapatti, Salem
Skandasramam
is located in serene surroundings amidst hillocks in the vicinity
of Salem, is a temple complex with shrines to Skanda and to other deities.
Skandasramam was founded by Shantananda Swami in the latter half of
the 20th century. Shantananda Swami - a disciple of Swayamprakasa -
was also associated with the Avadhoota Dattatreya
Sampradaya of Gujarat - and with several philanthropic
activities.
It is
about 10 kms from Salem town. It is located on top of a small hill called Skandagiri.
A couple of small hairpin bends would take you to the main entrance of the
temple. The temple was set up in the 1970s. As the name indicates, it is the
temple dedicated to lord Muruga. However, the temple is more famous for the
sheer size of statues of various gods and goddesses in its premises. In
specific, the relatively big statues of Pancha Mukha Vinayaka, Anjaneya,
Dhanvantri and Dattatreya deserve special mention.
Skandasramam,
located in serene surroundings amidst hillocks, two kilometres away from
Udayapatti of Salem Town, is a temple complex with shrines to Skanda and to
other deities. This lies in Salem-Attur route.
History
This
Ashram-Skandasramam was established in the year 1971 by His Holiness Sri
Santhananda Swamigal. Lord Muruga appeared in his dream and directed to
install him at a particular place here. His Holiness searched for the
place indicated by Lord Muruga and finally found this place. He began the
temple with simple structures, which today has grown big in size and fame with
all architectural skills and sculptures. The temple is situated in a
hilly environment noted for its natural beauty.
Skandasramam
was founded by Shantananda
Swami in the latter half
of the 20th century. Shantananda Swami - a disciple of Swayamprakasa - was also
associated with the Avadhoota Dattatreya Sampradaya of Gujarat - and with
several philanthropic activities. Skandasramam is a unique temple. The
presiding deities here are Skanda and Ashtadasabhuja Mahalakshmi. It was
planned by Om Shri Santhananda Swamigal in May 1968, and he executed it in the
form of a temple by name Skandasramam and its Maha Kumbabishekam took place on
08.02.1971.
The
Temple
It is
situated on the extreme northern end of the Jarugu Malai Mountain on the banks
of stream called Kannimar Odai and is dedicated to three deities: Murugan
as Skanda Guru, Lakshmi as Durga Parameshvari. The complex also contains
shrines for Sadhasiva Swamy and Swayamprakasa Brahmendra Saraswathi
Adhyavadhutha Swamy, two renowned saints of the avadhutha order and the gurus
of the founder. The mammoth stone statues of Anjaneyar, Vinayakar,
Dhatthathreya (all of them 16 feet high), and Idumban (13 feet) are remarkable
for size and artistry. The Yajur Vedhic School in the complex gives
instruction and training to young Brahmins into priesthood.
This is
a scrupulously planned temple of the modern days in accordance with the rules
of Agamas and Vedas. This is the only temple where Mother Parasakthi
(heart of souls) and Lord Muruga (the wisdom power of the lives) are face to
face thus ensuring a life of bliss to the devotees. Mother grants peace
and Muruga bliss. As all adverse aspects of the planets would vanish if
one circumambulates Lord Muruga and the planets installed around him with their
consorts.
The
Banalinga-Bhuvaneswarar and Bhuvaneswari brought from Narmada River for
Pradosha puja are in Lord Muruga’s shrine. Lord Veda Vinayaka and Acharya
Sankara add more grace to the temple. The temple is built under strict Agama
rules with a 16 feet tall Dattatreya Bhagawan – Guru and Swarna Akarshana
Bhairava Murthy.
Sri
Panchamukha Anjaneya (Anjaneya with five faces) and Panchamukha Ganapathi are
face to face in the temple. 6 feet tall Lord Dhanvantri blesses the
devotees with a disease-free life. Skandasramam is a unique temple. The
presiding deities here are Skanda and Ashtadasabhuja
Mahalakshmi (also Mahishasuramardhini).
The
image of Skanda is of great beauty. Ambal’s image with 18 arms is an imposing
one, and is said to be a manifestation of all forms of Divinity revered in the
Indian system of beliefs. The Thiruvasi behind this image bears images of
Navadurga. Another unique feature of this temple is that the Navagrahams are
enshrined along with their spouses.
In the
Maha Mandapam, one can see Shri Ashta Dasa puja Mahalakshmi Durga Parameswari,
who is also known as Skanda matha and opposite to Durga; there stands the
grand, attractive, and smiling statue by name Gnanaskanda (Bala Dandayudha
Pani). Both are in standing posture.
They
reveal the greatness and spiritual attitude of Om Shri Santhananda Swamigal. Skandasramam
is in the form of Linga. There are nine important points in the Linga in the
form of the temple, they denote:
·
Dattatreya
Bhagawan
·
Dhanvanthari
·
Swarnakarshana
Bairavar
·
Panchamuga
Ganapathi
·
Panchamuga
Anjaneya
·
Gnana
Skanda Gurunathan
·
Skanda
matha
·
Magangal
Mandapam
·
Skanda
Jothi
Besides
these nine points on the top of the Linga form, it is predicted as the adobe of
Ganga, in between the 3rd and 5th point there is Gomuki. On the right and left
side of Ganga there are moon and sun respectively. In the eastern side of the
temple, there runs Kannimar Odai (stream). As it flows towards north,
it is also known as Utharavahini. By the side of the stream there is the
goddess Kannimar Amman.
In
praise of Lord Skanda, Skandaguru Kavacham is being recited
by the devotees. Skanda denotes the child sitting on the lap of Parvathi and Parameswaran.
As Skanda ordered the Swamigal in his dream to build a temple, it is called
as Skandasramam. At 8.00 a.m. daily, Abhisekam takes place and at 11.00
a.m. special puja is being performed. No camphor is used and no archanai is
done by the devotees. Everyone is blessed by Skanda and his beloved mother
Skanda Matha. There is a separate Yaga Sala where Yagnas are
conducted on special occasions like Navarathri, Panguni Uthiram, Vaikasi
Visakam etc.
The
credit goes to Om Shri Santhananda Swamigal, the founder of Skandasramam. His
original name being Subramaniam, his Guru Shri Senthamangalam Avathuda Swamigal
named him as Santhananda. The goddess Durga gives ‘Santham' and Lord Skanda
gives ‘Anandam'. Both Santham and Anandam combine together and bless the
devotees with Santhanandam, which co-incides with the name of the founder Om
Shri Santhananda Swamigal.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Festivals
An
elaborate schedule of worship services is carried out throughout the day,
commencing with the Suprabhata Sevai in the morning. Karthikai Deepam is
celebrated in a very grand manner in this temple in November-December. Vaikasi
Visakam in May-June and Aadi 18 in July-August are the other important
festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
People
pray here generally for wedding and child boon and for the prosperous aspects
of Guru Bhagwan. Lord Dhanvantri ensures healthy life and Lord
Swarnakarshana Bhairava all prosperity. Lord Sankatara Ganapathi removes
worries of devotees while Sri Anjaneya blesses the devotee with physical prowess,
Bhakti, courage, land, education and wisdom. Devotees perform abishek and
archanas to Lords in the temple and Mother Parasakthi offering vastras.
Contact
Om Sri
Skandasramam
Udayapatti,
Salem - 636 140 India
Phone: (0427) 240660
Connectivity
Udayapatti
is on the Salem – Attur road. Auto facility is available from Udayapatti to
reach the Ashram. Town bus facility is available to Udayapatti from Salem. It
is located at a distance of 10 Kms from Salem City.
Skandasramam
is located two kilometres away from Udayapatti. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Salem & Nearest Airport is located at Coimbatore & Trichy.