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Sri Thanumalayan Temple, Suchindram, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu

Sucheendram is a very important Town in Kanyakumari District. This Temple of Sri Thanumalayan was built in Suchindram. This Temple is also known as Sthanumalayan Temple, since Sthanu denotes God Shiva, Mal denotes Sri Maha Vishnu and Ayan denotes Sri Brahmma. This Temple looks impressive to the eyes of the onlookers with its majestic seven tiered East facing Rajagopuram. Infact, there are two Rajagopurams. The Eastern Rajagopuram is made up of seven tiers is taller than the other one. Before the Rajagopuram is a multi pillared Mandapam which has coloured Idols on its Gopuram.

The Presiding Deities of this Temple are God Shiva, Sri Maha Vishnu and Sri Brahmma together. This place is named as Suchindram since the world Suchi means Purity in Sanskrit. There is a Nandhi Vaahanam which is West facing and next to it is the Neivedhya Peedam or a Bali Peedam and a Dwajasthambam or a Kodi Maram. Close to the West facing Nandhi Vaahanam which is white in colour is a standing Idol of Sri Aadhi Thanumalayan who faces West towards the Moolasthanam. Devotees may have to circumambulate and enter the Moolasthana Mandapam through the South entrance close to which is a South facing Idol of Sri Dhakshinamoorthy. Beyond it there is a second smaller Nandhi Vaahanam made of black stone facing the Moolasthanam. In the East facing Sanctum Sanctorum it is very unique to see the Idol of the Presiding Deity of Sri Sthanumalayan alias Sri Thanumalayan who is seen East facing. He is unique in the sense that He is a fusion of God Shiva, Sri Maha Vishnu and Sri Brahmma. The facial features of Sri Thanumalayan resembles that of Sri Brahmma, the Crescent on His Head refers to God Shiva and the Adhiseshan or Divine Serpent above His Head refers to Sri Maha Vishnu. Nowhere in India is the Presiding Deity seen like this. Close to the Moolasthanam is the East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Maha Vishnu who is seen in a standing posture flanked by His Consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi.

The outer peripheral of the Temple has an East facing Viruksham or Tree beneath which is an Idol of Sri Ganapathy along with few Naaga Devatha Idols. Next to this is another unique Sub Shrine pertaining to that of Sri Mahadeva Ganapathy. Here the lower limbs and the Trunk depicts God Shiva with Goddess Parvathy on His Left Lap. The face of this Idol is similar to that of Sri Ganapathy and the Idols looks massive in size. Beneath this Idols is anothe miniscule Idol of Sri Ganapathy. Then is the Navagraha Sannadhi which is unique in its own way. Here, there is just an elevated podium without the Navagrahams. Devotees may have to look up towards the ceiling where the Idols of Navagrahams are embossed and they look magnificent and unique to the eyes of the Devotees. Nowhere in India is such a fascinating Navagraha Sannadhi seen like this.

Then is a hillock like structure which has to be climbed through 15 steps. Atop this structure there is a West facing Sri Kailasanathar who is seen in the form of a Shiva Lingam. A Nandhi Vaahanam is seen facing Sri Kailasanathar. Then is a Viruksham on which several wooden toy cradles are fastened by the Childless Couples. Next to this is the East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Subramaniyar who is seen flanked by His Consorts Valli and Devasena. The South Sub Shrine of Sri Kaala Bhairavar is also seen in the outer peripheral. Then is the 22 feet massive of Idol of Sri Anjaneya Swamy who is West facing and in a standing posture. It is believed that this Idol was buried beneath the ground when Tippu Sulthan and his men attacked, plundered and looted Suchindram and its surroundings. Later this Idol was brought out from beneath in the year 1930 and iit was reinstalled as it is seen now. The outer peripheral has an East facing Shrine of the Consort who is known as Sri Aram Valartha Nayagi Ambal or Sri Aram Valartha Amman. She is seen in Her Shrine in a standing posture and facing Her Sannadhi is a Nandhi Vaahanam.

The Temple premises has an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Indra Vinayagar and facing this Sub Shrine are three Idols and they are a Nandhi Vaahanam, a Moonjur Vaahanam and a Yaanai or Elephant Vaahanam. The History behind the Temple is that Indran got rid of His curses here. Athreya Maharishi and his wife Anusuya were here. Anusuya was very much devoted to her husband Athreya Munivar and hence Sri Shivan, Sri Maha Vishnu and Sri Brahmma wanted to test Her. They came to Her hermitage as poor Brahmins and sought Alms with a condition that they three would accept her Alms only if she brings its nude. Anusuya agreed to this and with her Divine Power she converted the three Gods as Kids and came to them nude and obliged them. Athiri Munivar who returned to his place came to know of this story and on the behest of Sri Parvathy, Sri Saraswathi and Sri Lakshmi he adviced Sri Anusuya to resotre Sri Shivan, Sri Brahmma and Maha Vishnu to their original form. There are musical pillars carved out of a single stone which is the epitome of Architecture.

This Temple was built and developed by the Cholas, Cheras and the Pandyas alike and hence it has a touch of the Kerala and Tamil Nadu style of Archtecture. It is said that the Travancore Rulers had renovated this Temple in the 17th century. The musical pillars in this Temple are carved out of a single stone and this depicts the epitome of Architecture that prevailed during those time. The Temple has three of its own Temple Car or Chariot. The Temple Pushkarani is kept very clean and tidy. This Temple gives equal importance to Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Since Suchindram is located closse to Kanyakumari there is a steady inflow of Devotees and Tourists alike.

Contact Details: Temple Manager 94863 25623, Temple Accountant 94866 09769 and 04652 241270

Temple Timing: 4.30 AM to 11.30 AM and 5 PM to 8.15 PM

Distance from Kanyakumari to Suchindram is 15 Kms

Distance from Thiruvananthapuram to Suchindram is 80 Kms

Distance from Varkala to Suchindram is 115 Kms

Distance from Kollam to Suchindram is 141 Kms

Distance from Alappuzha to Suchindram is 235 Kms

Distance from Kochi to Suchindram is 289 Kms

Distance from Thrissur to Suchindram is 364 Kms

Distance from Guruvayur to Suchindram is 390 Kms

Distance from Palakkad to Suchindram is 449 Kms

Distance from Chelakara to Suchindram is 401 Kms