Suthamalli Symphony: Discovering the Serenity of Hills, River, and Temples

By Indian Columbus - January 14, 2024

Suthamalli, a remarkable village, unfolds its wonders with hills, a stunning river, lush fields, vibrant gardens, the melody of chirping birds, serene temples, and a captivating dam. This hidden gem in Tirunelveli holds the charm of an undiscovered paradise.

Nestled amidst verdant pasture fields on the outskirts of Suthamalli village, the river adds to the tranquility of the rural surroundings. Bathing in its gentle waters is a delightful experience, and the river gracefully separates into the paddy canal. A small hill emerges in the midst of the river, crowned by a charming temple. From its summit, a breathtaking view of the valley and the river unfolds. For those seeking respite from the summer sun, a refreshing bath awaits at the Suthamalli Anaicut (dam) area.

In close proximity to the dam stands a petite yet venerable temple dedicated to Shasta, known as Vanneeswara Shasta, with the divine presence of Poorna and Pushkala by his side.

Regrettably, the heart of the village holds a grand ancient temple, now unfortunately neglected. At its core resides a modest-sized Shiva Linga named Bhagavateesvara. The temple honors the Goddess of the entire world, aptly named Loka Nayaki.

Betal

Adorning the prakara are various divine sculptures, including Surya, Chandra, Adhikara Nandi, Jwara Deva, Shaneeswara, and Sapta Matas, accompanied by Ganesha and Veerabhadra. Other Murtis include Ganesha and Subramanya at the main shrine entrance and Nandi facing the primary sanctum. The prakara also hosts Kanni Moolai Ganapati, Subramanya with Valli and Devasena, and additional Shiva Linga sub-shrines. A separate shrine showcases bronze icons of Nataraja and Sivakami.

Following the architectural tradition of Pandya-era temples, the outer walls feature hollow niches without images. Above these niches, toranas exhibit bas-relief images of Dakshinamurti, Yoga Narasimha, and Yoga Brahma. Notably, Dakshinamurti and Brahma sub-shrines have been later added in front of the southern and northern Koshtas. The awe-inspiring friezes of Bhutas, Vyalas and Simhas (known as Bhuta vari, Vyala vari and Simha vari) grace the four outer walls of the shrine.

Brahma

The village's Grama Devata, Nalla Thai, finds homage in a moderate-sized temple dedicated to this revered deity. It is located at about 2 km from the Bhagavateesvara temple. The temple precinct also houses various village deities such as Mada Swami, boar-headedBrahma Rakshasi and Brahma Rakshasa. An imposing form of Vedalam (Betal) stands in the vahana mandapa, bearing exposed breasts and facing the principal deity.

Nestled within the village is an ancient Vishnu temple, known as Azhagiya Mannar. True to its name, the majestic sculpture of Vishnu seated in a serene posture is exceptionally beautiful. The temple is also home to other revered deities such as Alarmel Mangai, Nammalvar, Vishvaksena, and Garuda. The striking superstructure (vimana) crowning the main shrine adds to the temple's allure.

Don't miss the opportunity to explore this enchanting village situated along the banks of the picturesque Tamraparni river on your next visit to Tirunelveli.

Happy travelling.