Thanumalayan Temple

Coordinates: 8°9′17″N 77°27′55″E / 8.15472°N 77.46528°E / 8.15472; 77.46528
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Thanumalayan Temple
Cholas

The Thanumalayan Temple, also called Sthanumalayan Temple is an important

Vaishnavite sects of Hinduism, as the name Stanumalaya denotes the Trimurti; "Stanu" means Mahesha ; "Mal" means Vishnu; and the "Ayan" means Brahma.[1] It counts among the Abhimana Kshetrams in Vaishnavite traditions. It is one of the 108 Shiva Temples revered by the Kerala Hindu culture, though this temple is now in Tamil Nadu, after Kanyakumari District was merged into Tamil Nadu from Travancore
.

The temple complex covers around two acres and has two gateway towers called

5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and many yearly festivals on its calendar, with the festival during Margazhi being the most prominent. The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Thirumalai Nayak and the Travancore Maharajas. The temple is maintained and administered by the Dharmapuram Aadhenam. The temple is associated with Indra whose sin was propitiated after worshiping the presiding deity and also Anasuya known for her chastity. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu
.

Legend

Pillared corridors in the temple

The place got the name of Suchindrum from the

Lingas and the place where the couple worshiped the trinity is believed to be the temple.[2]

History

There are several inscriptions from the period of early and medieval Cholas along with other

Pandya rulers and Chera rulers in the region. There are two records from Kopparakesarivarman who took Madurai and Eezham (Sri lanka) from the 30th and 40th regnal year of Parantaka I (907–950 CE).[3]

The current temple was renovated in the 17th century and is famous for its sculptures. It was previously administered and controlled by "Thekkumon Madam", a famous Namboothiri priest family. The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma in a single form called Sthanumalyam. This 17th-century temple is famous for its architectural grandeur. The seven-storey white gopuram (gateway tower) is visible from a distance. Its 44 m (144 ft) facade is covered with sculptures of Hindu deities. The Travancore Maharajas, under whose administration the temple remained till Kanyakumari's merger with Tamil Nadu, have made many endowments for its upkeep. During the reign of Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma Maharajah of Travancore, a lottery scheme was introduced in 1875 CE, to raise funds for rebuilding a portion of the temple and a sum of over Rs. 40,000 was realised.

Architecture

The Temple Chariot festival

The temple is one of the few temples in the Kanyakumari region in both Kerala style architecture and Tamil style architecture. The Navaratri Mandapam built during the 16th century has a typical wooden structure like Kerala temples.[4] The temple is known for its quality of workmanship in stone. There are four musical pillars carved out of a single stone, and which stand at 18 feet (5.5 m) in height; these are an architectural and design highlight of the temple grounds. They are in the Alankara Mandapam area, and they emit the sounds of various musical notes when struck. There are an additional 1035 pillars with carvings in the area known as the dancing hall.[5]

There is an Anchaneya (or

Mahabharatha depicted in various pillars in the temple.[6]

Religious significance

A view of the temple from outside

The religious significance of the temple stems from the fact that the main statue of linga represent Siva (Sthanu), Vishnu (maal) and Brahma (Ayan) (as well as giving the temple its name). The representation of the three central gods of Hinduism in one linga makes it unique in India. The 10-day Car Festival celebrated in this temple during between December and January every year attracts crowds of thousands of people. Special worship practices are followed and the festival images of Sthanumalayan, Aram valartha Nayagi and Vinayagar are taken in the temple car around the streets of the temple. Another festival known as Teppam is celebrated during between April and May every year. The Sanskrit work Sucindrastalamahatmya gives a full-fledged legendary account of the origin and development of this temple.[7]

Administration

The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "History of Suchindram temples". The Hindu. 29 January 2002. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  2. ISBN 9788170174318
    .
  3. ISBN 978-9060236079
    .
  4. ISBN 9788123025728
    .
  5. ^ a b "The Sampradaya Sun — Independent Vaisnava News — Feature Stories — September 2009". The Sampradaya Sun. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  6. ISBN 9781482836554
    .
  7. ^ "Thousands participate in Suchindram car festival". The Hindu. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  8. ^ Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959

External links

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