Swamimalai Legend

As per the legend, Sage Brigu once undertook an arduous penance. Before commencing the penance he stated that anyone who disturbed his penance would forget his accumulated knowledge. Due to the severe penance there emanated fire from his head that reached up to the heaven. The petrified Devas surrendered to Lord Shiva who extinguished it by placing His hand on Sage Brigu's head. Hence Lord Shiva became oblivious of the highest wisdom, which is Brahma Jnana. It is said that He regained the wisdom when Lord Murugan re-initiated Him with the Pranava mantra 'OM' in Swamimalai.
Mythology also states that Lord Brahma and Lord Murugan once entered into an intense debate about the interpretation of the Pranava mantra 'Om'. Ultimately Brahma lost in the debate without adequate explanation to His point of view. Lord Murugan hence imprisoned Lord Brahma suspending Him from the duty of creation as unfit for carrying out the job. As a result the process of creation came to a halt.

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati intervened on behalf of Brahma and Shiva asked Lord Murugan as to whether He was aware of the meaning of the mantra. Lord Murugan replied that He would do so if Lord Shiva accepted Him as His Guru. He thus expounded the meaning of the Pranava mantra to Lord Shiva who surrendered to Him. Thus Lord Muruga came to be hailed as Swaminathan ( One who is superior to the Lord ( Shiva ) Himself ) or Thagapan Swami ( The Lord of His own father.

The Sthala Viruksham or the sacred plant is Nellimaram (Aamla tree ). The theertham or the sacred water sources in the temple are Vajra theertham, Saravana Theerhtam, Netra Pushkarini and Kumaratturai.

The legend goes that a blind devotee had his sight restored by taking a dip in the Netra Pushkarini and while proceeding to the Netra Vinayakar shrine in the temple.

The festivals that are celebrated in this shrine are monthly Kiruthikai, Panguni Uthiram, the annual car festival, Vaikasi Vishakam, Kandhar Shashti and Thiru Karthigai festival.

The spiritual significance is very direct, that it expounds the greatness of a 'Guru' and the wisdom imparted by Him.

Hence lets surrender to the feet of Lord Swaminatha to incur His blessings for wisdom .