| Uttara Swami Malai Temple (உத்தர சுவாமி மலை கோயில்) | |
| Map Type: | India New Delhi |
| Coordinates: | 28.5675°N 77.1656°W |
| Country: | India |
| Location: | R. K. Puram, New Delhi[1] |
| Deity: | Sree Swaminatha Swami |
| Architecture: | Tamil Architecture |
| Year Completed: | 7 June 1973 |
| Creator: | Sri Swaminatha Swami Seva Samaj |
Uttara Swami Malai Temple, popularly known as Malai Mandir (literally, Hill Temple in Tamil), is a Hindu temple complex in New Delhi, India located on the affluent Palam Marg primarily dedicated to Lord Swaminatha (more commonly known as Lord Murugan), most revered by the religious Hindus of Tamil and other South Indian community in the city.[2] [3] One can easily reach this temple by metro, nearest metro station is Vasant Vihar which is around 2 km away from there.[4]
The main temple within the complex, formally called Sree Swaminatha Swami Temple, houses the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Swaminatha. It is situated atop a small hillock in Sector-7 R.K. Puram and overlooking Vasant Vihar in South West Delhi. This is in keeping with the tradition of locating Murugan temples on hills. The sign outside the main temple is written in Tamil, proclaiming Lord Swaminatha's motto, "Yaamirukka Bayamain" (யாமிருக்க பயமேன்) meaning "Why fear when I am there?". The temple is built entirely of granite, and is reminiscent of the Chola style Tamil Architecture.
Besides the main Swaminatha Swami Temple, the complex contains temples dedicated to Sree Karpaga Vinayagar (elder brother of Lord Swaminatha), Sree Sundareswarar (father of Lord Swaminatha) and Devi Meenakshi (mother of Lord Swaminatha). These subsidiary temples draw inspiration from the Pandya style of Tamil Architecture, as can be seen at the historic Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
In the Hindu religion, the peacock is considered Lord Swaminatha's mount or vahana. Accordingly, the temple has adopted a peacock as its pet. This peacock can be seen and heard among the trees and foliage within the temple compound. People from various backgrounds visit the temple.