The Thanumalayar Temple at Suchindram near Kanyakumari

Posted Date: 02 Mar 2011 Author: Latha Jayaprakash Member Level: Gold (Rs. 30)

The Thanumalayar Temple in Suchindram is the only temple all over india which has the three trinities in the same Linga found here, that is top is Lord Shiva, The middle part is Lord Vishnu and the Base is Lord Brahma.

About the Thanumalayar Temple at Suchindram

Suchindram temple / Thanumalayan Kovil is located in the town of Suchindram in the Kanyakumari District of the state Tamil Nadu in India. This is the only temple in the whole of India that is dedicated to the three gods of the Trinity, namely, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. Sthanu / Thanu is the synonym for Lord Shiva, Mal for Lord Vishnu and Ayan for Lord Brahma.

Legend and History of the Thanumalayar temple at Suchindram

There is a Linga at the temple in which it is believed that the Top, Middle and the Base represent Lords of the Trinity Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is said that Lord Indra was purified at this temple. Suchi means purity or cleanliness. The Suchindram Temple is note for the exquisite worksmanship and is a treasure house of sculptures. There are musical pillars and some other sculptures like Vigneswari , the female form of Lord Vinayaka, the Geethopadesam by Parthasarathi are very impressive and are rarely seen elsewhere. They have carved beautifully and exquisitely a statue of Anjaneya / Hanuman , about 18 feet tall, from a single block of granite, which is a marvel by itself. There is a gigantic image of Nandi which is said to be made of the powder from the shells and is considered to be the biggest in India.

Festivals held in the Thanumalayar Temple at Suchindram

There is an annual 10 day chariot festival which gets celebrated in Margazhi that is from the mid december to mid january, The images of the deities are taken in a procession in their chariots and the festivals are celebrated in a grand way every year.

How to Reach Suchindram?

You have to Reach Kanyakumari first and then get to Suchindram.
You can reach Kanyakumari and from there you can get bus services to Suchindram.
If you are travelling by rail get down at Nagarcoil which is just 7 kilometers away from The Thanumalayar Temple at Suchindram.