Suchindram Thanumalaya Temple

The word Suchi means pure. Lord Indra is the Hindu God and Suchindram means "where Indira comes to be purified".

The shrine is dedicated to Thanumalaya, the Hindu God. The word Thanu refers to Lord Shiva, Mai to Lord Vishnu and Ayan to Lord Brahma. The Suchindram temple came under the purview of the Travancore kings, before Kanyakumari became part of the state of Tamil Nadu. 

Suchindram Temple Pond

Suchindram Temple

Suchindram Temple - side

Suchindram Temple

Suchindram Temple

Suchindram Thanumalaya Temple Features

• It is 7 storeys = 134 ft in height.
• The Gopuram – temple entrance is 40 m/ 24 ft in height.
• The most remarkable feature is the temple’s musical pillars. Four carved out of a single stone fan out into smaller pillars. Two of these have 33 similar pillars and the other pair have 25 similar pillars. Strike them and hear a musical note corresponding to the 7 swaras (notes). This is the best part of the temple because it’s something out of this world.
• Another sight worth seeing is 1108 sculptured women holding aloft oil containers.
• An 18 ft statue of Hanuman in the form of Anjaneya carved from a single block of granite
• A lime and mortal Makkalai, the Nandi bull of Shiva, 13 ft high, 21 ft long, 10 ft wide 

How to Reach Suchindram Thanumalaya Temple: Nagercoil is the nearest rail head. Take the time to see the century old clock tower presented by missionary Duthie to the king of Travancore. Take a Bus from Thiruvanthapuram and Kanyakumari.
Tip for visitors: All are welcome but like other temples in Kanyakumari and Kerala, men are allowed entry only bare chested.