Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple, Suchindram,
Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple,Suchindram,
kanyakumari dist.
kanyakumari dist.
The Thanumalayan Temple, also called Sthanumalayan Temple is an important Hindu temple located in Suchindram in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India. The Thanumalayan Temple is of importance to both Shaivaite and Vaishnavite sects of Hinduism, as the name Stanumalaya denotes Trimurtis; "Stanu" means Siva; "Mal" means Vishnu; and the "Aya" means Brahma.
Suchindrum is situated 13 km from Kanyakumari and is an important pilgrim centre. Suchindrum known as Gnanaranya, is well known for its sculptural wealth. It is one of the few temples in the country where the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Ishvara, are worshipped. The temple enshrines Sri Sthanumalaya, the Trinity of God (Siva, Vishnu and Brahma). The linga is in three parts. The top represents "Sthanu" name of Siva,the middle "Mal" name of Vishnu, and the base "Ayan" name of Brahma. It is believed that the Trinity appeared here at the request of a sage, Atri, and his wife,Anusaya. Images of Vigneswari (a feminine form of Vinayaka), Goddess Aram Valartha Nayaki, Indra Vinayaka, Kala Bhairava and Saakahi Ganapathy are also enshrined. Inscriptions said to be of the 9th century are found in this temple.
Suchindrum known as Gnanaranya, is well known for its sculptural wealth. The 134-foot-tall gopuram beacons the pilgrims from a long distance. On the eastern corridor is the shrine of Guru Dakshinamurthi next to Konnayadi. The Navagrahas are engraved on the ceiling. On the outer prakaram, there are separate shrines for Cheravasal Sastha, Rama and Lord Muruga. There is an imposing monolithic image of Lord Anjaneya opposite to Lord Rama's Shrine. It is about 5.5 m high and is said to represent the Viswarupa of Hanuman as shown to Sita at Ashoka Vana in Lanka. On the northern corridor, there are four musical pillars cut out of single granite blocks
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