It is engraved on a pillar in front of the Panchalinga shrine <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shrine#history> in the Stanunatha Swami Temple <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/temple#history> at Suchindram It consists of 29 lines <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/line#history> of Sanskrit <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sanskrit#history> verse in Grandha characters.The verse records that in the Saka <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shaka#history> ear 1332, expressed by the cronogram rāgāloka, king <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/king#history> Marthandavarma, being fond of prosperity <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prosperity#history>, fame and long life <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/life#history>, constructed the Sabhamandapa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sabhamandapa#history> in the Suchindram temple. rāgāloke śakābde surapatisacive siṃhayāte tulāyām ārūḍhe padi <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/padi#history>?[Â]manīśe hṛdimiti dinayute bhānuvāre ca śambhoḥ kāṅkṣān mārtāṇḍavarmā śriyamativipulā kīrtimāyuśca dīrghām sthane mānī?[ä] śucīndre samakuruta sabhāṃ keralakṣmāpatīndraḥ || In the first half of the verse the data is furnished in the Saka era from this record we gather two important piece of historical information namely, the rule of Marthanda Varma extended upto 586 M.E. and the glorious stone Mandapa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mandapa#history>, known as the Sabha Mandapa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sabhamandapa#history> in the Suchindram temple, was caused to be constructed by him. The attribute keralakṣmāpatīndra applied to Marthanda Varma does not seem to be a mere boast of empty attribute, because we have other coronorative data about his relative <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/relative#history> eminents in the political field <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/field#history>. [Travancore Archaeological Series Vol. VIII -P 33].
2 The legend is that, Indra is still doing pooja in the temple at midnight every night. As Indra was purified at this Gnaanaranya, it’s name was changed to SUCHI+INDRA = SUCHINDRA and the village is SUCHINDRAM 3 *NAVAPAASHAANA BALAJI:* Lord Venkateshwara appears with silver kavacha and the stone used for the lord Balaji moorthi is Navapaashana shila. We can find this type of shila in Palani (Lord subramanya moola virat) and in very few temples. Whoever takes the abhisheka theertha of this navapaashana shila, then decreases if any of the concerned person will be cured within a few days. *Shankhu powder Nandeeshwar* (huge white bull):In this temple, we can find a very big Nandi (vahana of Lord Shiva) . It is 9 ft height and 13 ft width. It is a gigantic bull and is termed as Makkalai which is facing Lord Sthanumalayan. The full Nandi was made with full shankhu powder only. *Jagadguru Adi Shankara:* There is a legend that Jagadguru Aadishankara obtained the “PRANAVA” mantra padesha from Lord Shiva and had seen the Shiva tandava darshan of Lord Shiva in this Suchindram. *Lord Sthanumalaya:* The Sanctum Sanctorum of Lord Sthanumalaya, is fully illuminated by oil lamps. Crossing the Nandi, we have the darshan of Lord Sthanumalaya in the form of Linga at about 1.25 ft height. Except at the time of Abhisheka (4.00 a.m.), the linga is fully covered by a golden kavacha. The charming serenity of the spot and the devotion is superb. The main hall of this garbhalayam appears very great and akhanda jyothi is continuously illuminating in this hall. *Sapthaswara piller/ring piller:* It is true that we can hear the music from the rock pillars of the temple. By entering into the Alankara mantapa, we can see four pillars each carved out of a single stone. Two of them contain 33 smaller pillars. These are the famous Musical pillars and one can hear the most melodious musical saptaswara tunes emanate from then when tapped. It is real and another pillar will give the sound of a ring. The arohana and avarohana styles can be easily experienced as per your tapping style of the pillar. We can also see a pillar in the temple premises, in which if we introduce a piece of wire through the right nostril of the statue, it will come out of the left ear and when it is made to pass through the right ear comes out of the left. It is a wonder and can be seen in the temple. *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 kavacham in the day hours.The branches of the Konnai (laurel) tree are also seen at the top of the shrine. It is an irrefutable fact that the tree is very old and parts of the tree were sent to London and Kalkatta and were examined by experts who concluded that the tree would have flourished at least 2000 years ago. There is evidence that almost all the shrines in the temple came into existence before the first quarter of the 12th century. 4 Brahmanda purana says a different version than spoken in this temple as: "Anasūyā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/anasuya#purana>, the wife of hermit Atri <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/atri#purana> gave birth to Dattātreya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dattatreya#purana>. But Dattātreya was the incarnation of Mahāviṣṇu <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mahavishnu#hinduism>. There is a story in Brahmāṇḍa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahmanda#purana> Purāṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/purana#purana> how Mahāviṣṇu came to incarnate as Dattātreya. Once there was a hermit called Aṇimāṇḍavya (Māṇḍavya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mandavya#purana>). While the hermit was engaged in silent meditation, some robbers passed by that way. The King’s men who were chasing the robbers, came to the hermit and asked him about the robbers. The hermit did not break the silence. The King’s men, thinking the hermit to be the thief bound his hands and legs and took him to the palace. The King ordered Māṇḍavya to be killed by piercing his body with a trident. Accordingly a trident was posted on a hill far away and Māṇḍavya was seated on the tip of it. Māṇḍavya lay there in agony. It was at this time that Śīlavatī, famous for her conjugal fidelity, went to the house of a harlot, carrying her husband Ugraśravas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ugrasrava#purana> on her shoulder. When they passed by that way Ugraśravas scolded Aṇimāṇḍavya; getting angry at this Aṇimāṇḍavya cursed Ugraśravas that he would get his head broken and die before the sun-rise. Sīlavatī became very sorry when she heard the curse and she also cursed. "Let the sun not rise tomorrow". The sun did not rise the next day. Everything in the world was in chaos. The devas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/deva#purana> were flurried. They went to Brahmā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahma#purana>. Brahmā took them to Śiva <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shiva#purana>. They could not find a solution. So all of them approached Mahāviṣṇu. The Trimūrtis <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/trimurti#hinduism> (three gods) told the devas that the problem would be solved, and the devas returned. Brahmā, Viṣṇu <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vishnu#purana> and Maheśvara <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/maheshvara#purana> went to Śīlavatī. Before seeing Śīlavatī, they went to Anasūyā the wife of Atri and sought her help to persuade Śīlavatī to recall her curse. Thus Anasūyā and the Trimūrtis approached Śīlavatī and spoke compassionate and consolatory words. At last Śīlavatī recalled the curse. The Trimūrtis convinced Śīlavatī that Ugraśravas would not die. The pleased Trimūrtis asked Anasūyā to ask for any boon. She replied that she did not want any boon except that the Trimūrtis should take birth as her sons. Accordingly Mahāviṣṇu took birth as Dattātreya, Śiva as Durvāsas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/durvasas#hinduism> and Brahmā as Candra <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/candra#purana>, in the womb of Anasūyā. This is how Dattātreya was born.* Dattātreya did penance from his childhood and became a hermit. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Chapters 39 to 44). K Rajaram IRS 2724 On Tue, 2 Jul 2024 at 00:47, Gopala Krishnan <[email protected]> wrote: > *SUCHEENDRAM THANUMALAYA TEMPLE-TAMILNADU* > > *Respected friends,* > > *Today my posting is about Sucheendram temple. Sucheendram is about 5 KMs > from Nagerkovil towards Kanyakumari in the National Highway. I was > selection grade Junior Engineer at Nagerkovil during 1977-78. During the > period I have visited the temple many times. * > > *After retirement also I have visited the temple two or three times with > family. * > > *While reading mythology books I learnt in the temple Lord Indra is coming > in the midnight and performs pooja to deity. To ensure pooja is not noted > by priests, the priest opening the sanctum is different person from the one > who conducted pooja in the night and closed the sanctum. Sanctum key is > exchanged among priests. * > > *While reading Nampoothri.com I have learnt at one time to find out truth > regarding extra merital affairs, the persons involved were asked to dip the > hand in boiled ghee in the temple. Interestingly the person supervising was > a Tamil Brahmin. If the concerned person was correct in his statement, the > boiled ghee did nothing to the Nampoothiri/person involved. The practice > became obsolete before generations. It was called “Suceehndram kaimukkal”. * > > *Though the temple is very close to Nagerkovil, the architecture and > poojas are according to Tamil style. * > > *The information given below is COMPILED from different sites. Hope a > divine reading in the morning. * > > *Gopalakrishnan 2-07-2024.* > > *1 Introduction* > > *Suchindram Temple also known as Thanumalayan Temple is located in > Suchindram, district of Kanyakumari, at a distance of around 11 km from > Kanyakumari towards Nagerkovil. The striking aspect of this temple is that > it is dedicated to the Trinity of God, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord > Brahma. Owing to this, it has high religious importance to devotees > belonging to both Shaivite and Vaishnavite sects.* > > *Also known as Sthanumalayan Perumal Temple, it presents captivating > architecture. The deity in the temple, Sri Sthanumalayan represents Sthanu > means Lord Shiva, Mal symbolizes Lord Vishnu and Aya symbolizes Lord > Brahma. This temple is also known with the name of Suchindram Lord > Anjaneyar Temple.* > > *2 Legends* > > *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. 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, all Trimurthi, on the request of Anusaya, manifested > as Swayambhu Lingas, under the Amaltas 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 Devi 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.* > > *My note-** On account of this Goddess Parvathi is KanyaKumari in the > Kanyakumari temple. * > > *3 History* > > *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. The worship at this temple is taken care of by > the families of Namboodiri Brahmin.* > > *My note**- Now the priests performing pooja are from Tamilnadu, as I > have observed.* > > *4Architecture* > > *Suchindram Temple of Kanyakumari is known not only for its religious > significance but also for its alluring architecture. Its structural > excellence allures everyone.* > > *This temple has a white Gopuram of seven stories with its portico adorned > with finely sculpted images of various deities. This 134 foot high Gopuram > appears all the more astonishing as light rays fall on it, presenting a > fine example of the architecture styles of South Indian temples. To the > right side, there is huge temple tank; water from here is used for temple > activities.* > > *Major attractions of this temple are the four musical pillars with a > height of 18 feet. These pillars have been carved out of a single granite > stone. Located in the area of Alankara Mandapam, these pillars when struck > create various musical notes, presenting exceptional example of > architecture.* > > *The temple has a dancing hall as well with around 1035 beautifully carved > pillars.* > > *5 Deities* > > *The presiding deity, Sthanu (Lord Shiva), Mal (Lord Vishnu) and Aya (Lord > Brahma) are in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. * > > *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 and many more.* > > *5A Lord hanuman.* > > *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 it > previous glory. * > > *My note**- I have read elsewhere sometimes the Anjaneyar is mischievous, > he will extend the leg and trap false devotee. Applying butter is the > offering to Anjaneya, along with prayers.* > > *5BVinayaki* > > *Another striking aspect is the carving of Vinayaki (Female Vinayaka) in > the temple. * > > *5C Nandi* > > *Majestic Idol 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.* > > *8 Rituals* > > *The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 9 > p.m.* > > *9 Indra performing poojas* > > *When Lord Indra was cursed by the Gauthama Mahirishi and his entire body > was full of eyes. This Mahirishi also gave him Sapampksham when Indran came > to this Temple and worshipped Lord Thanumalayan. So Indran was cured by > this. In Malayalam, Suchi means, cleanliness. Indran Suchiyana place is > called Suchindrum.* > > *10 Timings* > > *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.* > > *11 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.* > > *12 Abhimana ksethram* > > *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 gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower with 11 stories and a > height of 44 metres.* > > *13 Kaimukkal* > > *Kaimukkal was an ageold practicein 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 behaviour, 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 > was proven innocent.* > > *14 Pond* > > *Tank/Pond named Teppakkulam surrounded by Residential houses. Then you > can see the big Chariots, 4 nos. near to this Temple. * > > *15 Origin of plantain names* > > *Suchindram is the place where sage athri lived with his wife Anusya. To > check her chastity, thrimurthis went there and with her chaste power she > changed three to small children. After hearing the request of > uma-lakshmi-parvathi, she turned them again as thrimurthis.* > > *While calling the children, they played in a plantain garden and they > hided themselves behind plaintain trees. When she called "peya" shiva came > out of a tree and hence the variety known as "PEYAN"; similarly she called > "mukunda" and there comes "MONDAN" and she called "poovaa" for brahma and > there comes "POOVAN" varieties of plaintain* > > *My note**- Naming of the plantains is a new reading to me.* > > *16 Reaching of Suchindrum* > > *There are regular buses to Suchindram from Kanyakumari as well as from > Tirunelveli and Trivandrum. Tourists can also hire a taxi /auto and visit > the temple from Kanyakumari/Nagerkovil.* > > *17 Address of the temple* > > *Suchindram Shree Thanumalayan Swamy Temple* > > *N Car St, Vivekananda Junction, Suchindram, Tamil Nadu 629704, India* > > *18 Some interesting information* > > *1. Suchindram Hanumar is much more famous even than Shri Thanumalayaswami* > > *2 . Suchindram is consider as shakti peetam also. Though, the actual > sakthi peetam is not located in the temple. It is considered that a > mariamman temple, located in the suchindram is the actual sakthi peetam > (Mun uditha nangai temple).* > > *4. Like thiruvarur, here also the archakar who did arthajama pooja won’t > do the nirmalya pooja. It is on the basis that Indra do pooja here > everyday.* > > *5 The thanumalaya swamy from suchindram only went to marry shri > Kanyakumari amman.* > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CAEE2L%2B3SX29XmRe5wrPn8frWmVs523R564RuM_5S0T-smzv94A%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CAEE2L%2B3SX29XmRe5wrPn8frWmVs523R564RuM_5S0T-smzv94A%40mail.gmail.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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