History, Importance, Architecture, Timings, Festivals, Trinity, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Thanumalayan Temple, Suchindram, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India
Thanumalayan Temple is also called Sthanumalayan Temple located in Suchindram, at just 12 km from Kanyakumari of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the Temple where the trinity “Brahma, Vishnu and Ishvara” is worshipped. Stanu means Shiva, Mal means Vishnu and the Ayan means Brahma so it is also called Sthanumalayan. This temples is holds high importance in both Shaivite and Vaishnavite sects. This temple is also popular as Suchindram Lord Anjaneyar Temple or Sthanumalayan Perumal Temple or Sthanumalayan Kovil. The lingam is represent here in three parts. The top represents Shiva, the middle represents Vishnu and the bottom represents the Brahma. The representation of the three central god of Hinduism in one lingam makes it unique in India and one of the rare shrine dedicated to Trinity. The present masonry structure was built in 17th century but inscription found on temple wall and pillar were dated back to 9th century of the Chola dynasty.
The temple complex spread across two acres of land with two gateway towers - gopurams. The eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 44 metres 144 ft is key attraction. Within the temple campus, there are several shrine where Sthanumalayan, 22 feet height Lord Hanuman statue carved out in one granite and 13 feet tall statue of Nandi are the most prominent.
The main deity of this shrine, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma are placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Along with the main shrine, there are around 30 shrine built in temple premise which are dedicated to different deity including Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Ganesha, Navagraha mandapa, Kailasanathar, Nataka Sala, Vadakkedam, Kailasattu Mahadeva, Pancha Pandavar, Lord Vishnu, Kontai Adi, Guru Dakshinamurthy, Cheravasal Sastha, Lord Muruga, Garuda, Subramania Swamy etc. The temple is well known for its quality of workmanship in stone.
The other key attraction of this temple is its 18 fee height four musical pillars carved out of a single stone. These pillars are located in the Alankara Mandapam area, and they emit the various sounds at strike of thumb. Along with this, there are other 1035 pillars with carvings located in dancing hall.
As per Hindu Mythology it is the place where the Lord Indra got relieved from his curse so this place is called Suchidram means to purify oneself. Some legends also say that, Sage Atri and his wife Anasuya stayed here in Jnaraya. The trinity namely Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma wanted to make her name eternal with their divine act. They came here as the Brahmin mendicants. The Anasuya treated them with care. The Brahmins put forth the condition that she should come out nude. As she had a power of chastity, she converted three Brahmins into baby boys and fed them her breast milk. Atri returned to the place with the Parvati, Saraswathi and Lakshmi to restore their husbands to their original form. Anasuya obliged immediately and restore them. The trinity blessed the couple for devotion. So this place where the couple worshipped the trinity is believed to be the temple.
The annual 10 days Car festival celebrated in December - January and Teppam festival in March – April are very well celebrated here with devotion.
How to reach Suchindram Temple, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Suchindram Temple is located at a distance of 11 km from Kanyakumari and just 7 km from Nagercoil, so it can be reached via road easily. There are regular buses to Suchindram from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Trivandrum. Kanyakumari the southernmost city and district place of Tamil Nadu, India and one of the best tourist destination of India. Thus it is very well connected with Air, Rail and Road network. Kanyakumari is at distance of 20 km from Nagercoil, 85 km from Tirunelveli, 90 km from Trivandrum - Kerala, 135 km from Tuticorin, 245 km from Madurai, 375 km from Trichy, and 707 km from Chennai the capital of Tamil Nadu. Daily train connected to all cities from Kanniyakumari and Nagercoil railway junction which holds important transit point in south India. The nearest International airport from Kanyakumari is Thiruvananthapuram Airport at110 km. By road network, Kanyakumari is connected with all major cities of Tamil Nadu and India. National Highways NH7 and various state highways intersect at Kanyakumari.
