At a distance of 21 km from Sankarankovil, 22 km from Kovilpatti, 53 km from Tirunelveli and 88 km from Thoothukudi, Kalugumalai is a panchayat city in Kovilpatti Taluk of Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu. This is likely one of the common heritage locations to go to close to Tirunelveli.
The village received its title from the hill Kalugumalai which implies Hill of the vulture. Earlier it was often called Araimalai or Thirumalai. It’s believed to be an necessary Jain settlement the place Lord Mahavir used to evangelise and be worshipped. Divided into two elements particularly Kazhugumalai and South Kazhugumalai, it was additionally served as a commerce route in historical instances.
Kalugumalai is legendary for the rock lower Kalugasalamoorthy Temple, monolithic Vettuvan Koil and Kalugumalai Jain Beds. Kalugumalai Jaina Abode has many aid sculptures relationship to Eighth-Ninth century AD, together with the rock lower picture of Bhagawan Parshwanatha flanked by two Yakshis, in addition to many different rock lower photos of different tirthankaras. There are roughly 150 aid sculptures. The sculptures had been triggered to be made in reminiscence of the departed souls.
Located close to the Jain Beds, Vettuvan Koil is a Hindu temple constructed between the Eighth and Ninth century by Pandyan Maran Chadaiyan Varaguna I. About 7.5 meter of the mountain is excavated in an oblong vogue and within the center the temple is sculpted from a single piece of rock. The carvings replicate the southern temple type of the Pandiya period. Solely the highest portion of the temple is accomplished. On the high of the temple stunning sculpture of Uma Maheswarar, Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu and Brahma could be discovered. This temple seems to be just like the Kailasanatha Temple in Ellora.
One other necessary temple in Kalugumalai is the Kalugasalamoorthy Temple. The primary deity of this temple is Murugan. It has been constructed within the Dravidian type of structure and is claimed to have expanded in the course of the 18th century. The gateway results in the sanctum and a pillared corridor. The temple has many ornamental sculptures. Reverse to temple, there’s a small palace which served as native residence of Raja of Ettaiyapuram.
Kalugasalamoorthy Temple Timings: 5.30 AM – 12.30 PM & 6 PM – 9 PM