Thanumalayan Temple(Suchindram Temple):
A famous Hindu temple known as the Thanumalayan Temple(Suchindram temple), or thanumalayan Temple, is situated near Suchindram, in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India. Even though this temple is now in Tamil Nadu as a result of Travancore’s merger with Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari District, it is one of the 108 Shiva temples treasured by Kerala’s Hindu culture. Due to the name Stanumalaya’s reference to the Trimurtis—Stanu is Siva, Mal is Vishnu, and Ayan is Brahma it is significant to both Shaivaite and Vaishnavite sects of Hinduism.
The two-acre temple complex contains two gopurams, or gateway towers, that serve as entrances. With 11 stories and a height of 44 metres, the eastern tower is the tallest (144 ft). There are many shrines in the temple, the most notable of which are those of Sthanumalayan and Hanumar. The temple holds six daily rituals between 5:30 a.m. and 9 p.m., as well as numerous annual festivities, the most notable of which is held during Margazhi. The Chola dynasty (9th century) is credited with building the current masonry construction, while Thirumalai Nayak and the Travancore Maharajas are responsible for later additions. The Dharmapuram Aadhenam is in charge of maintaining and running the temple. Indra, whose sin was, is connected to the temple. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu looks over and manages the temple.
Thanumalayan Temple Legend:
Anasuya treated them with utmost care. The Brahmins put forth a condition that they would accept her hospitality with a condition that she would come out nude. With her power of chastity, she converted the three to small kids and served them with her breast milk. Atri returned to the hermitage at the behest of Parvathi, Saraswathi and Lakshmi (the wives of the trinity) to restore their husbands to their original form. Anasuya obliged immediately and restored the kids to their original form. The trinity blessed the couple for their devotion. The three emanated in the form of three Lingas and the place where the couple worshipped the trinity is believed to be the temple.
They were given the utmost care by Anasuya. The Brahmins made it clear that they would only accept her hospitality if she came out in her undies. She transformed the three into young children using her chasteness power and fed them breast milk. The wives of the trinity—Parvathi, Saraswathi, and Lakshmi—asked Atri to return to the hermitage and transform their husbands back into their original selves. Anasuya instantly complied and gave the children their natural appearance. The pair received the trinity’s blessing for their love. The pair is thought to have worshipped the trinity at the temple, where the three emitted as three Lingas.
The primary linga statue at the temple, which represents Siva (Sthanu), Vishnu (maal), and Brahma (Ayan), gives the structure its religious significance (as well as giving the temple its name). It is distinctive in India since it contains the three main gods of Hinduism in one linga. Every year, thousands of people flock to this temple for the 10-day Car Festival, which is held between December and January. Special worship procedures are observed, and Sthanumalayan, Aram valartha Nayagi, and Vinayagar festival images are driven about the temple grounds in a temple automobile. Every year, Teppam, a different festival, is observed between April and May.
Thanumalayan Temple History(Suchindram Temple History):
There are numerous inscriptions from the early and middle Chola eras, as well as from other Pandya kings and Chera kings, in the area. There are two documents from Kopparakesarivarman from the 30th and 40th regnal years of Parantaka I, who captured Madurai and Eezham (Sri Lanka) (907-950 CE).
Known for its sculptures, the current temple was rebuilt in the 17th century. Previously, “Thekkumon Madam,” a well-known namboothiri priest family, oversaw and governed it. Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma all appear as Sthanumalayan, the temple’s principal deity. The magnificent architecture of this temple from the 17th century is well known. The white gopuram (gateway tower), which has seven stories, can be seen in the distance.
Thanumalayan Temple Architecture:
The temple is one of the few in the Travancore region that combines Tamil and Kerala architectural styles. The 16th-century Navaratri Mandapam features a characteristic timber structure similar to Kerala temples. The temple is renowned for its high calibre stonework. One of the architectural and design highlights of the temple grounds are four melodic pillars, each of which is carved out of a single stone and stands at a height of 18 feet (5.5 m). They are located in the Alankara Mandapam neighbourhood, and when tapped, they produce a range of musical notes. The portion known as the dancing hall contains an additional 1035 carved pillars.
Anjaneya (also known as Hanuman) is a statue that is 22 feet (6.7 metres) tall and was sculpted from a single granite block. It is among India’s highest statues of its kind. The fact that this statue was buried in the temple in 1740 out of fear of a Tipu Sultan raid and then forgotten is also interesting historically.
Thanumalayan Temple Timings:
Suchindram temple timings are:
Morning: 4.30 am – 11.30 am
Evening: 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Thanumalayan Temple Dress Code:
You must follow the Suchindram temple dress code in order to enter the temple; men must remove their shirts (but may wear an angavastram), and women must dress provocatively.
kanyakumari to suchindram temple: kanyakumari to suchindram temple distance is 20 min (13.1 km) via NH 66
nagercoil to suchindram distance: 11 min (5.9 km) via NH 66
Thanumalayan Temple Address/ Suchindram Temple Address:
Suchindram Shree Thanumalayan Swamy Temple, N Car St, Vivekananda Junction, Suchindram, Tamil Nadu 629704.
Thanumalayan Temple Photos:
