Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple, Suchindram - अरुल्मिगु थानुमालायन मंदिर, सुचिन्द्रम

Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple, Suchindram is a temple town located in the southernmost district of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, India. It is an important pilgrimage center and the location of the famous Thanumalayan Temple. There is a statue of Bhagwan Hanuman (Anjaneya), which is 22 feet (6.7 m) high and is made from a single block of granite. Suchindram town is famous for the Thanumalayan temple and was an important stronghold of Travancore.

History and Architecture of Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple
Thanumalayan Temple, also known as Sthanumalayan Temple. Suchindram, known as Gnanaranya, is famous for its sculptural wealth. This is one of the few temples in the country where Trimurti, Brahma, Vishnu and Ishwar are worshiped. Sri Sthanumalaya, the trinity of deities (Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) is installed in the temple. The linga is in three parts, the top shows the name Sthanu of Shiva, the middle shows the name Mal of Vishnu, and the base shows the name Ayana of Brahma. It is believed that the Trinity appeared here at the request of sage Atri and his wife Anusaya. Images of Vigneshwari (a female form of Vinayaka), Goddess Aram Valartha Nayaki, Indra Vinayaka, Kaal Bhairava and Sakahi Ganapati are also installed. Inscriptions of the 9th century are found in this temple.

The 134 feet high gopuram attracts pilgrims from long distances. Next to Konnayadi on the eastern corridor is the temple of Guru Dakshinamurthy. Navagrahas are engraved on the ceiling. On the outer prakaram, there are separate shrines for Cheravasal Sastha, Rama and Bhagwan Muruga. There is a grand monolithic image of Bhagwan Hanuman in front of the temple of Bhagwan Ram. It is approximately 6.7 meters high and is said to represent the Vishvarupa of Hanuman as shown to Sita in the Ashoka Forest in Lanka. There are many sculptures and arts in the temple. The 'Alankara Mandapam' adjacent to the northern corridor has four large pillars, each supported by a group of smaller pillars, all carved from the same stone. Of these, two big pillars have 33 small pillars and the other two have 25 each. These are famous music pillars. Tapping each of these small pillars produces a different musical note. Unfortunately, to prevent vandalism, these pillars have been surrounded with an iron grill.

Exit the 'Alankara Mandapam' and you will be faced with the huge figure of Hanuman. The figure is 22 feet high and represents 'Vishwaroopam'. There are other carvings and sculptures on every pillar and panel throughout the temple, which are a delight to the eyes and imagination.

Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple Visiting Timings
Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple is open throughout the week. Darshan timings are 4:30 am-12 noon and 5-8:30 pm.

Major Festivals in Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple
Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple has two important festivals, one in Markazhi (December/January) and the other in Chithirai (April/May). During the Markazi festival, on the 9th day the deities are taken out in procession through the streets on three festival cars. Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami were also celebrated with great pomp.

How to reach Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple
Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple Suchindram is about 11 km from Kanyakumari and about 7 km from Nagercoil, located between these two cities. Tirunelveli is accessible by buses from Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram. Arulmigu Thanumalayan Temple The nearest railway station to Suchindram is Nagercoil on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari section of the Southern Railway. Earlier this city was a part of Travancore along with Kanyakumari. In 1956 it became part of Tamil Nadu.