There is a traditional story behind this name, according to Kulasekhara, who is well known as Kulasekhara
Alvar, the great Vaisnava saint of 8th century A.D had lost his favourite horse, while marching back to his capital, after conquering many neighboring countries. After a vigorous search he found the horse grazing on the banks of Soma Theertha. This place was called Thiruvanparisaram (“Pari” in Tamil means horse). Kulesekhara Alvar then constructed the wall, gopura and in the temple.“ The Visnu here is on standing posture with four arms, sankha and chakra. The idol of made up of Kadusarkarayoga a compound of time and granite covered with a paste of molasses and mustard. The teertha of this temple is known as . मृत्युज्ञयस्थलं [mṛtyujñayasthalaṃ ] and डाकिनी मृत्युज्ञयस्थलं [ḍākinī mṛtyujñayasthalaṃ ] and डाकिनी [ḍākinī ] is refered in the 12th chapter f sucindrasthalamahatmya (verse 49). Here the reference is about the Bhūtapāndi temple and Dakini, pointed out as the legendary character of Ramayana (RII. 14.20) who was killed by Sri Rama. Bhootapandy, the head quarters of Thovalai taluk of Kanyakumari district is at the foot of Thadaka hills, and is 12 km from Nagarcoil on the Nagarcoil -Balmore road and about 9 km north of Armboly pass. Thadaka hill is said to he the abode of Thadaka. She is said to be worshipped the Lord of Bhootapandy temple.Bhootapandy is an ancient place founded by one of the Pandian Kings by name Bhootapandian. Bhootapandy temple is situated on the banks of river Pazhayar. An old temple dedicated to Bhootalingam, also known as having great archeological importance is seen here. The Sivalingam of this temple represents पृथ्वी, [pṛthvī, ] one of the पञ्चतन्मात्र . [pañcatanmātra . ] The रथोत्सव [rathotsava ] of this temple is the biggest festival of Thovalai taluk and it attracts thousands of devotees from far and near. रथपुरम् [rathapuram ] The 12th chapter of शुचीन्द्रस्थलमाहात्म्यम् ( [śucīndrasthalamāhātmyam ( ] verse 38) refers रथपुरम्. [rathapuram. ] This is a nearby place of Sucindram which is locally known as Terur (Ter in Tamil means). While Indra was coming to Sucindram for his purification, Nandikesa prevented him in air from entering in to Sucindram because he was sinful. (verse:37). Then he stopped his at the nearby place and hence the place got the name or Terur. Inscriptional evidences shows that previous name of this place was Karumpaluvu. In the 11th century A.D only the name 'Ter' was associated with this place. The name Terur is first mentioned in Terur inscription of Rajendracholadeva in 1015. A.D.² 22 From this may be reasonably inferred that the association of the Indra legend with Sucindram acquired a full fledged form on or before the दन्तनदी [dantanadī ] or शिवगंगा [śivagaṃgā ] The 12th chapter of शुचीन्द्रस्थलमाहात्म्यम् [śucīndrasthalamāhātmyam ] describes the दन्तनदी . [dantanadī . ] According to legend a dug a river with his tusks from the peaks of & (ch.12verse:46) This is well known as Pazhayar which flows near the Sucindram temple. Pazhayar means old river in Tamil. is the southern most river of India, also known as Vadassery river. 24 A number of streams rise from the secondary range of Sahyadri and join one another to form the Pazhayar. They drain the Mahendragiri peak and nearby estates and flow through the Taluks of Tovalai and Agasteesvaram. This river helps in the irrigation of these taluks to a great extend. It runs a course of about 37 kms towards the south east and merges with Manakudy estuary. Important places through which the Pazhayar passes are Bhootapandy, Thezhekkudi, Vadassery, Nagarcoil and Sucindram. There is a local legend relating the Kottar, nearby place of Sucindram. The ad brought the holy water drawing a line by it s tusks Kodu means ivory or Kottam means tusks, the river and the place on its banks were called Kottar. महेन्द्रगिरि [mahendragiri ] 25 27th verse of the fifteenth chapter of refers to HR. This hill is situated in the border of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. This is the southern most peak on Travancore ghats with an elevation of 1654 meter. Tradition says that it is from this peaks, Hanuman jumped across the sea to Sri Lanka in quest of Sita. It is believed, that this hill is the abode of Indra. विवाहशैलम् [vivāhaśailam ] The story of 441 is described in the 15th and 16th chapter of शुचीन्द्रस्थलमाहात्म्यम्. [śucīndrasthalamāhātmyam. ] According to the legend Brahmadeva directs उचैश्रवस [ucaiśravasa ] to do penance on गुह [guha ] of ववाहशैल. [vavāhaśaila. ] This mount is known as Velimalai and temple is known as Kumarakoil. It is 21 Kilometers north west of Sucindram. The name Velimalai is derived from the Velvimalai which means where the marriage of Lord Subramonia, known as Kumara with Srivalli took place. Tradition has it to say that Goddess Valli, when she was a child, was found among the creepers (Valli), by Nambi Rajan, the king of Kurava tribes in Velimalai hills. Nambirajan s domain extended over the Velimai. It was this place, it is believed where God Subramanya disguised himself first as a hunter and then as an old man and finally married Valli. Valli, who kept watch over the millet crops was kind and hospitable to the old man. She was astounded when he revealed to her his love for her. As disguised old man Subramanya could not influence Valli, he sought the help of his elder brother who appeared there as an elephant. Terrified Valli sought the old man s help and he promised to save her only if she was prepared to marry him. Unwilling by Valli to obliged, and later God Subramanya revealed his identity and Valli agreed to marry him as to he was her dream lover. Their marriage took place with much pomp. The Kalyanamandapa (marriage hall) built on the hillock is said to be the actual place, where the 105 marriage of Subrahmanya and Valli took place. The place, where he took rest in the guise of an old man is still known as Kizhavancholai (Kizhavan in Tamil means old man). There is another place known as Vallicholai. A nearby hamlet is still known by name Thenaivilai ( a place where millet is grown)." The Thirukkalyanam (holy marriage) in the month of March-April every month is in commemoration of the marriage of Valli and Subramanya. All Fridays especially the last Friday of the Tamil months, are important days, when devotees throng the temple to worship the Lord. The other important festival is the falling on the month of May. The temple is built on the top of a small about 200 feet height and faces east and can be reached by a flight of 38 steps. Goddess Valli, the spouse of Subramanya, the presiding diety, is also enshrined in the temple by the side of the main diety. Here, Lord Muruga, is in the form of a child, in Varadahasta is about 8' 8" in height with an idol of valli 6′ 2″ high. There is a separate shrine for the Vengai tree which is the Sthalavrksha. This sacred spot is considered to be the place where Lord Muruga assumed the form of Vengai tree. This story has some resemblance to the story of Sucindram were the trimurtis assumed the form of an Asvatha. चक्रनदी [cakranadī ] or चक्रतीर्थ [cakratīrtha ] The fifteenth chapter of शुचीन्द्रस्थलमाहात्म्य [śucīndrasthalamāhātmya ] which mentions about चक्रसरित् ( [cakrasarit (] verse:44) चक्रनदि ( [cakranadi (] verse:44) the story of ऐरावत [airāvata ] is associated with this place. So the place got the name HAYRĘ (verse:47). K Rajaram IRS 20725 On Sun, 20 Jul 2025 at 13:03, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > THANUMALAYAN TEMPLE, SUCHEENDRAM, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT- TAMILNADU-COMPILED > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about The Thanumalayan Temple, also known as Sthanu > Malaya Swamy Temple, is located in Suchindram, in the Kanyakumari > District of Tamil Nadu The temple is just about 5 KMs from Nagerkovil in > the NH to Kanyakumari. It is a significant temple dedicated to the > Trimurti, representing the three deities Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. The > temple is known for its Dravidian architecture, particularly its musical > pillars and the towering 11-story gopuram and Anjaneya. Specialty with > the temple is *the priest who do last pooja and close the sanctum, never > opens the sanctum the next day*. It is believed, Lord Indra comes in the > temple, perform pooja in the night, and cleans the sanctum. > > I have visited the temple many times while working as SG Junior Engineer, > Telecom at Nagerkovil and after retirement on temple visits. > > Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 20-07-2025. > > More detailed look at the temple: > > Deities: > > The temple is dedicated to the combined form of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, > known as Thanumalayan. > > Architecture: > > It showcases a blend of Chola, Travancore(Kerala) , and Nayak > architectural styles, with expansions and renovations occurring over > centuries. > > Musical Pillars: > > The temple is famous for its four 18-foot-tall musical pillars in the > Alankara Mandapam. These pillars, carved from single granite stones, > produce different musical notes when tapped. > > Gopuram: > > The eastern gopuram, one of the temple's two gateway towers, is an > 11-story structure, standing at 144 feet (44 meters) tall. > > Hanuman Statue: > > A prominent feature is the 22-foot-tall Hanuman (Anjaneya) statue, also > carved from a single granite block. > > History: > > The original structure dates back to the 9th century during the Chola > dynasty, with later additions and expansions attributed to Thirumalai Nayak > and the Travancore kings. > > Location: > > The temple is situated in Suchindram, approximately 11 km from Kanyakumari > towards Nagerkovil in the NH and about 5 KM towards Kanyakumari from > Nagerkovil. > > Religious Significance: > > It is considered an Abhimana Kshetram in Vaishnavite tradition and one of > the 108 Shiva Temples revered in Kerala Hindu culture, despite its current > location in Tamil Nadu. > > Rituals and Festivals: > > The temple conducts six daily rituals and hosts numerous yearly festivals, > including a prominent one during the Tamil month of Margazhi. > > Interestingly though priests in Nagerkovil and Kanyakumari temples are > Nampoothiries from Kerala, Sucheendram temple has Tamilnadu Gurukkals as > priests in this temple. > > Introduction > > What a marvel it is – a living tribute to the glorious Dravidian > architectural style; a holy place of worship, yet a whole new experience of > beauty. Thanumalayan Temple in Suchindram stands out for its amazing > architectural elegance and divinity. > > South Indian temples are renowned for their architectural peculiarities > and unique structures. Constructed in strict adherence to Dravidian > architecture, these temples emanate a marvellous charm that is truly > unmatched. One such visual feast is the divine Thanumalayan Temple, > popularly known as the Suchindram Temple. Located at Suchindram in the > Kanniyakumari district, this ancient and majestic temple never ceases to > amaze with its grandeur and splendour. > > Legends about Suchindram Temple. > > There are many legends behind Suchindram Temple. According to one of the > popular story of the Suchindram Temple, one day the holy Trinity, Lord > Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu arrived here at the ancient temple. Devi > Anusaya, who is wife of saint Atri lived here. Trinity, decided to test > Anusaya’s chaste to sage Atri. Hence, in the absence of Sage Atri, they > went to Anusaya, a chaste woman, in the guise of three sages and asked for > food. However, when offered food they refused stating that they have > vowed to take offerings only from people who are not clothed. As it was > considered as sin to refuse a help of offering to seeker, she decided to > offer them food and fulfil their demand. She sprinkled holy water on all > the three sages and turned into babies; Shiva as Durvasa, Vishnu as > Dattatreya and Brahma as Chandra. It was then she fulfilled their demands > and fed all the three babies. Seeing this, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess > Parvati and Goddess Lakshmi came down and asked to return their husband in > their original form. All the three Gods were turned into their original > form after this. While leaving for their holy abode, the Trimurthies, on > the request of Anusaya, manifested as Swayambhu Lingas, under the Amla > tree, known as Sthala Vriksham, which is now more than 2500 years old. A > small shrine, has been constructed in front of this holy tree. > > *There is another legend that connects this temple and the town to the > Devi Kanyakumari Temple*. As per the legend, Lord Shiva has stayed in > Suchindram when he had come to marry Kumari Kanyakumari. He started from > here for the wedding that was scheduled to be at an auspicious time in > night. It was when he reached Vazhukkamparai, which is around 5 km away > from Suchindram, Sage Narada guised as rooster has falsely crowed to > indicate the onset of morning. Believing that the auspicious moment has > passed, Lord Shiva has returned to Suchindram without marrying the Devi. > > Another story of Suchindram Temple is about the decade old ritual that was > practiced at the temple. The practice of Agnipariksha was performed at the > temple till 1860s until it was banned by the government. As per the ritual, > any Brahmin or priest, when suspected of any unacceptable behavior, was > required to go through a ritual. With the permission of the King, the > suspected person was required to dip his hand in the boiling ghee that was > kept in copper vessel and take out the silver ox which was kept inside. His > hand was then covered in a cloth and bandaged. *If the Brahmin’s hand > comes out unscathed on the third day, he is proven innocent.* > > Another legend is related to pretending Indra as sage Gauthama. Indra had > an eye on Ahalaya wife of the sage. One day while sage Gauthama went for > morning bath and austerities, Indra approached Ahalaya in the form of sage > Gauthama . Feeling something rotten, Gauthama immediately returned, found > Indra in his form with Ahalaya. Sage cursed him to have female sex organ > through out his body, on regretting, he was asked to perform pooja and > clean sanctum at Sucheendram temple every day. It continues even today. > Since Indra cleans the sanctum, the temple got the name Sucheendram. On > this account, the priest performing night pooja does not open the temple in > the morning > > History > > Suchindram is one among the 108 Siva temples revered by Hindus in Kerala. > Before the Kanniyakumari district was merged with Tamil Nadu, the temple > and the surroundings were a *part of the erstwhile kingdom of Travancore.* > The original structure of the building was built around the 9th century by > the Chola dynasty. Later expansions were made by Thirumalai Nayak and the > kings of Travancore. > > The ancient Suchindram Temple is said to be built in 17th Century. > However, a few part of the temple can be traced back to 8th century to 15th > Century. The inscriptions of the temple dates back to 9th Century. > > Before the merger of Kanyakumari in the Tamilnadu State, Suchindram Temple > came under the administration of Travancore Kingdom. The main temple of > Travancore kingdom was at Padmanabhapuram. This temple is Vaishnavite. > While in Nagercoil which was earlier under the control of Cholas, Chera and > Pandya Reign, most of the residents were Shaivites. Hence, this temple > presents a beautiful site where both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu as well as > Lord Brahma is worshipped. > > Suchindram Temple is approximately 1,300 years old. The temple > construction took place over an extended period of at least six hundred > years, so parts of the temple date back to the late 8th century, while > others are 15th century. The earliest lithic records of Suchindram belong > to the 9th Century A.D. > > The worship at this temple is taken care of by the families of Namboodiri > Brahmins earlier. > > Architecture > > The temple complex is spread across 2 acres and has two towers called > ‘Gopurams’ that are gateways. The eastern tower has 11 stories and is 44 > metres tall. *There are 30 shrines within the temple.* > > The architecture of the temple is unique in that it includes both Kerala > and Tamil architectural styles. The amazing works in stone spread through > the temple gives the complex an amazing look. One of the most fascinating > features of the temple are four musical pillars carved out of a single > stone. There is also a dancing hall with 1035 intricately carved pillars. > > One of the important feature observed by me is there is no hard soil > around the temple, and only tiny sanded. Temple is no where near the sea. > > Chief Deity > > A unique aspect about worship in this temple is that it is dedicated to > the trinity of Lords Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma; and thus is a place of great > religious significance to Hindus. > > The presiding deity, *Sthanu (Lord Shiva), Mal (Lord Vishnu) and Aya > (Lord Brahma*) are in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. > > Sub deities > > By the side of sanctum sanctorum, there is a shrine for Lord Vishnu; the > idol of the Lord has been made by combining eight different kinds of > metals. On to the right side, there is shrine of Lord Rama and Goddess > Sita, while on the left side is the shrine of Lord Ganesha. On the front, > there is Navagraha mandapa. > > There are around 30 shrines in this temple including of those of > Kailasanathar, Nataka Sala, Vadakkedam, Kailasattu Mahadeva, Pancha > Pandavar, Kontai Adi, Guru Dakshinamurthy, Cheravasal Sastha, Lord Muruga, > Garuda, Subramania Swamy , Anjaneya and many more. > > The massive idol of Lord Hanuman at a height of 22 feet is sure to allure > every devotee here. The statue has been carved out of single granite rock. > This state of Lord Hanuman, which is one of the largest statues in India, > was kept hidden in the temple as attacks from Tipu Sultan were feared. > Later in the year of 1930, it was found and was subsequently restored to > its previous glory. Another striking aspect is the carving of Vinayaki > (Female Vinayaka) in the temple. Majestic Image of Nandi, vehicle of Lord > Shiva is also captivating with a height of 13 feet and length of 21 feet > and width of 10 feet. > > Daily poojas > > Abhishekam is being performed thrice a day in this temple. Ad midst > regular poojas, there are special poojas performed to the God and Goddesses. > > Abisekam for Moola lingam at 4.15 a.m > > Abisekam for Thanumalayan Shrine at 4.45 a.m > > Daily festival Pooja at 5.30 a.m Tharai Abisekam at 6.30 a.m.Mistanga > Pooja at 7.00 a.m > > Uchikkala Poojai, Deepa Aradhanai at 11.00 a.m > > Deepa Aradhanai, Ahala Poojai & Arthajama poojai at 6.30 p.m > > Festivals > > The most popular festival of Suchindram Temple is the 10-day long car > festival which is celebrated during the month of December or January. Other > prominent festivals of the temple are Avani Festival in the month of > august, Chithirai Festival in the month of April and Masi Festival in March > month. > > Timings of Suchindram Temple > > The darshan timings of Suchindram Temple are from 4.30 to 11.30 in > morning. The temple again opens for darshan in evening at 5 PM and closes > at 8.30 PM. > > Unique feature of the temple > > The unique feature of the Suchindrum temple is that both *Saivites and > Vaishnavites hold the temple in the high esteem*. The shrines within, > which are thirty in number. The sanctum sanctorum presenting a Shivalinga, > the Thekkadam presenting the image of Lord Vishnu (human form), the > Konnayadi presenting the three swayambhu lingas at the foot of an old tree > (nature worship), the holy sanctum of Chitra sabha presenting a mirror > (formless aspect of self-realisation) and many other smaller shrines > presenting almost all the deities of Hindu. > > Lord Dattatreya: > > We can have the darshan of Lord Dattatreya in the hollow at the foot of > the tree, where three lingas sprout one above the other. This can be seen > only at the time of abhisheka in the morning (4.00 a.m.) and they are > usually hidden in the a golden kavacha in the day hours. The branches of > the Konnai (laurel) tree are also seen at the top of the shrine > > Wishes full- filled > > If an unmarried person visits Kanyakumari devi and Suchindrum Trimoorhty > in a single trip, their marriage will be settled at the earliest. Thus this > sacred shrine leaves indelible impressions in the minds of the visitors and > no tourist fails to carry sweet memories on his exit from this shrine. > > Temple chariot > > The chariot is made of wood and is carved with beautifully detailed > sculptures, many of which feature the pastimes of Krishna and Rama leela. > Each year, the upper portion of the car is remade with fresh poles and > fabrics, and taken out on procession. > > How to reach the temple > > Suchindram Temple is located at a distance of 11 km from Kanyakumari and > can be reached via road easily. It is around 7km away from Nagercoil. There > are regular buses to Suchindram from Nagerkovil and Kanyakumari as well > as from Tirunelveli and Trivandrum. *Tourists can also hire a taxi and > visit the temple from Kanyakumari.* > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/749942246.732283.1752996780988%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/749942246.732283.1752996780988%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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