Skandasramam, Salem

Sadguru Santananda Saraswati Swamigal Founder of Salem Śrī Skandāsramam

Lord Dattatreya

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.

Śrī Skandasramam, Udayapatti (Salem)

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 Kumbabisekam took place on 08.02.1971.

In the Maha Mandapam, one can see Shri Ashta Dasapuja Mahalakshmi Durga Parameswari, who is also known as Skandamatha and opposite to Durga, there stands the grand, attractive, and smilling statue by name Gnanaskandan (Bala Dandayudha Pani). Both are in standing posture.

In the outer premises of the northern side of Maha Mandapam one can see the astonishing statues of 16′ Shri Panchmuga Anjaneyar and Shri Panchamuga Vinayagar. They reveal the greatness and spiritual attitude of Om Shri Santhananada Swamigal. Skanthasramam is in the form of Linga. There are nine important points in the Linga in the form of the temple, they donote:

1. Dattatreya Bhagawan
2. Danvanthri
3. Swarnakarshana Bairavar
4. Panchamuga Ganapathi
5. Panchamuga Anjaneya
6. Gnana Skanda Gurunathan
7. Skandamatha
8. Magangal Mandapam
9. 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 devotes. Skanda denotes the child sitting on the lap of Parvathi and Parameshwaran. 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 Uthram, Vaikasi Visakam etc.

The credit goes to Om Shri Shanthananda 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.

For more information contact:

See also
Life and Teachings of Śrī Santananda Swamigal | Kumbhabishekam Appeal for Donation | Kanda Guru Kavacam by Santananda Swamigal | Om Śrī Skandasramam, Tambaram, Chennai | Om Śrī Muruga Asramam, West Mambalam, Chennai | directory of other Murugan Bhakti ashrams