ARULMIGU KALUGASALAMOORTHY ( SUBRAMANIYAR ), KALUGUMALAI, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

30^th June 2019.

It was planned to visit Kalugumalai after attending a friend’s daughter marriage at Tuticorin on 30^th June 2019. It was around 14.30 Hrs when I landed at Kalugumalai and this temple was found closed for Uchikala Pooja and it was told that the temple will be opened around 16.30 Hrs. Even-though I had been to Kulugumalai when I was in Thoothukudi,  this time want to visit on heritage point of view. At Kalugumalai I was fortunate to Join with the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation's Heritage walk, organized by Mr Rajaguru. After visiting the Vettuvan Koil and Jain’s monument, returned back to Sri Kalugasalamoorthy Temple for dharshan.

Kalugumalai has the Vettuvan Koil, Jain monuments and Sri Kalugasalamoorthy temple Heritage sites. The details of  Sri Kalugasalamoorthy ( Sri Subramaniya Swamy ) Temple is being written in this post and the Jain monument will be in the next post.

Moolavar : Arulmigu Kalugasalamoorthy

Consorts : Sri Valli & Devasena

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing South west Direction ie Pothigai malai of India’s western Ghats. The 40 pillar mandapa is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The pillars has the  various reliefs. It was told this mandapa was extended during 18^th Century. A Rudraksha Pandal and 12 Rasi panel is on the ceiling of the mukamandapa.

Balipeda, Dwajasthamba and Peacock vahana are in a mandapa after the mukamandapa, in front of the sanctum. The sanctum is an excavated cave, belongs to 8^th Century by Pandyas.  Moolavar Sri Kalugasalamoorthy is also called as Subramaniyar with single face and 6 hands. The peacock is facing left side against usual position of right side. His consorts Sri Valli Devasena are on his both sides.

In prakara Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Chandran, Suryan, Natarajar, Urchavars (Urchavars are Chandrasekar, Pickshadanar, Vinayagar, Somaskandhar and Ambal ), Arumuga Nayinar and 63var.

Sri Jambulingeswara is in a separate temple like sannadhi with sanctum sanctorum, antarala and arthamandapam. Ambal Sri Ahilandeswari is in a separate sannadhi. In Koshtam Dhakshinamurthy, Narasimhar, Indiran and Brahma.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:

It was believed that this rock cut cave temple of Sri Kalugasalamoorthy shrine was excavated during 8^th Century by Pandyan Maran Chadaiyan Varaguna-I. In the same inscription Parantaka Nedunchezhian and Parantaka Veera Narayanan names also mentioned. As per the inscriptions this Big Village Kalugumalai was called as Perunecuram and the hill was called as Araimalai. Araimalai was in Necuranadu in the sub division of Mudikonda Cholavalanadu of Rajaraja Pandi Nadu.

The hill with this temple was under the control of Ettaiyapuram Zamindars till 1954 ( appointed by Madurai Nayaks ) ie till abolition of Zamindars system. The Ettaiyapuram Raja gifted this Village to this temple Arulmigu Kalugasalamoorthy and formed 5 streets  around the temple for the temple chariot procession. And the middle street was allotted as agrahara. A Representative is still holding the permanent member of the Temple's Trust. 

Apart from regular poojas, annual festivals like 9 days Kandhar sashti, 10 days Thaipoosam and 13 days Panguni uthiram are celebrated in a grand manner.  Arunagirinathar has sung 3 Thirupukazh on Sri Kalugasalamoorthy of this temple.

LEGEND:

The  epic Ramayana character Jadayu’ brother's curse was relieved after worshiping Lord Subramaniyar of this temple and hence he is called as Kalugasalamoorthy.  Sri Murugan went to Thiruchendur  for Demon Suran samharam after doing Pattabhishekam / coronation from Kalugumalai. 

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Land line number of the temple 04632 251225, 04632 251500 and mobile number of EO Mr Kartheeswaran may be contacted for further details.

Official Web site: http://kalugumalaitemple.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH:

The place Kalugumalai is on the Kovilpatti to Sankarankovil bus route. All the buses will stop at Kalugasalamoorthy Temple Bus stop from there the Vettuvan Koil is about a KM.

Kalugumalai is about 22 KM from Kovilpatti, 105 KM from Thoothukudi and 70 KM from Tirunelveli.

Nearest railway station is Kovilpatti.

LOCATION:  CLICK HERE

 Temple tank with Neerazhi mandapa

  Urchava mandapa

 Rainwater harvesting and let down in to the temple tank

 Rudraksha pandal 

  Rasi mandala

    Mandapa Pillar reliefs - centre a stone ball in Simha's mouth 

A Design on the stone elephant

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

JAINS TIRTHANKARAS AND JAIN MONASTERY, KALUGUMALAI IN THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

30^th June 2019.

It was planned to visit Kalugumalai after attending a friend’s daughter marriage at Thoothukudi on 30^th June 2019. It was around 14.30 Hrs when I landed at Kalugumalai and this temple was found closed for Uchikala Pooja and it was told that the temple will be opened around 16.30 Hrs. Even-though I had been to Kulugumalai when I was in Thoothukudi,  this time want to visit on heritage point of view. At Kalugumalai I was fortunate to Join with the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation's Heritage walk, organized by Mr Rajaguru. After visiting the Vettuvan Koil,  trekked up to this Jain’s monument,  steps are provided from the base of the Hill. The Monument is being maintained by the Tamil Nadu State archaeological Department.  

This monument was carved during 8^th Century Pandya King Parantaka Nedunchadaiyan.  A Jain’s School, a monastery  and a Temple are functioned in this Kalugumalai during 8^th Century. There are about 120 and odd Tirthankara bas-reliefs carved in regular order.  These Tirthankaras are carved in memory of the deceased Jain monks (Kuravar), disciples,  father, Mother, Sons, daughters, etc. The contributors names are inscribed below the reliefs in 8^th Century Tamil vattezhuthu. From the inscriptions the monks are called as Kuravars and females are called as Kuravadikal.  The bas-reliefs are done by the persons who holds the titles as Etti, Enathi, Kavithi etc. The Jains of the social higher order from about 32 near by Villages, which includes Kottaru, Mizhalur,Venbaikudi are responsible for engraving of these reliefs. The people from various communities like Carpenters, Sthapathis, Velans, who carryout the agriculture, pot makers, Smiths are also lived in the hill area.

In the bas reliefs  consists of individual Tirthankaras and Panels. ( The panels consists of Tirthankara, Yakshan, Yakshi, Samaratharis and mukkudai ) are for Mahavir, Ambika Yakshi, Parshvanath and Bahubali with his sisters and Padmavathy.

HOW TO REACH:

The place Kalugumalai is on the Kovilpatti to Sankarankovil bus route. All the buses will stop at Kalugasalamorrthy Bus stop from there this Jain monument is about a KM.

Kalugumalai is about 22 KM from Kovilpatti, 105 KM from Thoothukudi and 70 KM from Tirunelveli.

Nearest railway station is Kovilpatti.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Mahavir Tirthankara 

 Padmavathy Yakshi

 Ambika Yakshi

 Mahavir

 Mahavir

 Parshvanath

 Bahibali with his sisters

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

VETTUVAN KOIL, KALUGUMALAI, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

30^th June 2019.

It was planned to attend a marriage on 30^th June 2019 at Thoothukudi where I worked for more than quarter century. Utilizing the opportunity decided to visit Kalugumalai.  Even-though I had been to Kulugumalai when I was in Thoothukudi,  this time want to visit on heritage point of view. At Kalugumalai I was fortunate to Join with the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation's Heritage walk, at Kalugumalai organized by Mr Rajaguru.

From the inscriptions the Big Village Kalugumalai was called as Peruneccuram and the hill was called as Araimalai. Araimalai was in Neccuranadu in the sub division of Mudikonda Cholavalanadu of Rajaraja Pandi Nadu. Kalugumalai has the Vettuvan Koil, Jain monuments and Sri Kalugasalamoorthy temple Heritage sites. The details of Vettuvan Koil is being written in this post and the rest will be in the subsequent posts.

As per the inscriptions the Vettuvan Koil was excavated in 8^th Century during Pandyan Maran Chadaiyan Varaguna-I. The inscription also mentions the Pandya Kings Parantaka Nedunchezian and Parantaka Veera Narayanan. The Vettuvan Koil is an unfinished one, yet it’s beauty is un comparable with any other Temples.  Unlike the stone temples this Vettuvan Koil was excavated on the east side the Kalugumalai to a depth of 7.5 Meters from top to bottom.

The Koil consists of sanctum Sanctorum and an arthamandapa. A recent period Installed Vinayagar is in the sanctum Sanctorum. Out side the sanctums wall with adhistana is not completed. The Koil starts  with prastharam. The prastharam is of  kabotha style with Karnakood with niches. The Vimana is of two tiers. The second tier starts with yazhivari. Nandhi / Rishaba are in the 2^nd tier on all the 4 corners. The Kabotha on both tiers are with Kodikarukku and maiya karukku.  In front of Karnakoodu Various deities are carved. They includes Dhakshinamurthy playing Mridangam ( an unique feature of this Koil / Temple), Brahma, Vishnu, Narasimhar, Uma Maheswara, Apsaras, Devas, etc. 

The Bhootha ganas are just extraordinary sculptures. One is not the same as the other in style, reactions and face expressions. They were some playing musical instruments, some playing with snakes, some playing with each other by pulling their head, ears, some wearing accessories, wearing beard, some are eating, some are laughing, some are crying with big mustache. Bhoothaganas includes ladies also.

The Sikaram is of 8 face carved with karukku and Mahanasi. The Top of the Sikaram consists of Padmam and Kannadhi chattam. The stupi is missing.

The Temple / Koil architecture is little different from the Pallava architecture. By seeing the sculptures of this Temple, it may conclude that this may not be possible by an ordinary sculptor and he might have possessed an extraordinary talent.  There are two legends associated to this temple name as vettuvan Koil. The Vettuvan Koil is under the care of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.

LEGEND: A sculptor father and son went a temple festival and son  got missed there in the crowd. The lone father came back and started doing the Jain sculptures. After some years, the Son, who possessed his father’s qualities started this temple. On seeing this the people told to the father about the talent of the young sculptor. The  father got angry and throw his chisel, which cuts the young Sculptor and died. On seeing  this the young sculptor, the Old Sculptor recognizes his son wept. Hence this Koil was called as Vettuvan Koil.

HOW TO REACH:

The place Kalugumalai is on the Kovilpatti to Sankarankovil bus route. All the buses will stop at Kalugasalamoorthy Temple Bus stop from there the Vettuvan Koil is about a KM.

Kalugumalai is about 22 KM from Kovilpatti, 105 KM from Thoothukudi and 70 KM from Tirunelveli.

Nearest railway station is Kovilpatti.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

Kodi karukku

Uma Maheswara

Miruthanka Dhakshinamurthy

Narasimha

Brahma

Vishnu

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---