30th June 2019.
It was planned to visit Kalugumalai after attending a friend’s daughter marriage at Tuticorin on 30th 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.
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 18th 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 8th 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 8th 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.
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---
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