Arulmigu Kalugasalamoorthy Temple / Subramaniar Temple, 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 Uchi kala Pooja and it was told that the temple will be opened around 16.30 Hrs. Even-though I had been to Kalugumalai 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 Kalugasala Moorthy Temple for darshan.

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. Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Sri Subramaniya Swamy of this temple.

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, Dwajasthambam and Peacock vahana are in a mandapa after the mukamandapa, in front of the sanctum. The sanctum is a 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 worshiping moolavar Sri Subramaniar posture.

In prakara Bhairavar is without dog, also called as Vaduga Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Chandran, Suryan, Natarajar, Urchavars ( Urchavars are Chandrasekar, Bickshadanar / Pichadanar, Vinayagar, Somaskandar and Ambal ), Arumuga Nainar and 63 var.

Sri Jambu Lingeswarar is in a separate temple like sannadhi with sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. Ambal Sri Akilandeswari is in a separate sannadhi. In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Narasimhamurthy, Indiran and Brahma. 

 

 Rudraksha pandal 

  Rasi mandala

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 Pandya Nadu.

The hill with this temple was under the control of Ettayapuram Zamindars till 1954 ( appointed by Madurai Nayaks ) ie till abolition of Zamindars system. The Ettayapuram 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 membership 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 Thiruppukazh on Sri Kalugasala Moorthy of this temple.

LEGENDS

The  epic Ramayana character Jatayu’s brother Sampati's curse was relieved after worshiping Lord Subramaniar of this temple and hence he is called as Kalugasalamoorthy.  Sri Murugan went to Thiruchendur for Demon Surapadman samharam after his Pattabhishekam / coronation from Kalugumalai. Indira in the form of Peacock vahana to Sri Subramaniar. Sri Muruga Perumal in this temple is as Sevvai -( a Mangalam / auspices ), hence this place is called as Guru Mangala Kshethram.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Poojas, Two palliyarai / arthajama poojas are conducted every day one at Sri Kalugasalamurthy Temple and other at Shiva Temple. 

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

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

A Design on the stone elephant

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Jain Tirthankaras and Jain monastery, Kalugumalai at 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 the Kalugachalamurthy temple was found closed for Uchi kala Pooja and it was told that the temple will be opened around 16.30 Hrs. Even-though I had been to Kalugumalai 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.

  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This monument was carved during 8^th Century Pandya King Parantaka Nedunchadaiyan ( 768- 800 CE ).  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. 

The details of some of the inscriptions are given below....

Inscriptions No 74, records that the image was caused to be made by Marampulli of Tirunechchuram. It also states that the required ghee for lighting a lamp in front of the image was supplied by Kiluran Rottan ( or Rottan of Kilur ).

Inscription No 89, ( ARE 54/1894, SII Vol V No 343 ), The last portion of this inscription obliterated very much, seems to record a gift of 1/4 pon, probably for lighting two lamps before the image. 

Inscription No 103 records that the stone pillar was erected by Sundaran, the stone-mason of Nechcharanadu, at the instance of bhattara who was conducting regular worship ( tiruppani ) to the Deity Araimalai Alvar Tirunechchuram. ( ARE 68/1894, SII Vol. V No 357 ). The presiding deity at Kalugumalai is referred to in the epigraph as Araimalai Alvar. The Hillock of this place bore the name Araimalai.

Inscription no 107, records some endowment made for the daily abhisheka and offerings to the deity, Araimalai Alvar, by Silankavidiyan- tennavan. Besides, it is also records the erection of a pillar in the same place by Perungovelan of Tirunechchuram. 

Inscription No 153, in Tamil vattezhuthu on a rock belongs to Pandya King Ko Maranjadaiyan ( Varaguna -II ),  3rd reign year ( 865 CE ), records the construction of a well and the gift of some land for providing food  to the ten Bhatarar expounding Siddhanta and Vairagiyar ( monks ) in the Tirumalai temple at Tirunechchuram by Siddhan of the Village at Kadantaikudi situated in Nallurtumbur KuRRam. The gift was entrusted with Gunasaharabhatara of Tirunechchuram. The Epigraph also refers to the names of some persons, probably connected with the endowment.

Inscription No 154, a fragmentary in Tamil vattezhuthu on a rock belongs to Pandya King Ko Maranjadaiyan ( Varaguna -II ),  3rd reign year ( 865 CE ), records some endowment to the deity known as Tirumalaidevar at Tirunechchuram by one Mahadevan, a resident of the Village Perunavalur, situated in Nallur- MilalaikuRRam, for feeding five Vairagiyar ( monks ) and Bhatarar who expounded siddhanta in the temple. The endowment was entrusted  with Gunasaharabhatarar of Tirunechchuram, who was probably the Chief among the monks looking after the Jaina establishments at Kalugumalai. 

It is interesting to observe that the Jaina ascetics were also called Vairagis. The monks are said to have expounded Siddhanta ( Jaina Philosophy ), probably to the laity. The Jaina establishments at Kalugumalai had been looked after by Gunasaharabhatara, the Chief among the monks.

The inscription No 155, a Tamil vattezhuthu, 9th to 10th Century character, on a stone slab lying near Aiyanar Temple, records the Sattankali of Kalakkudi mangalattuchcheri gifted 25 sheep for burning two perpetual lamps to the god, Bhatara, on the hill at Tirunechchuram. His disciple ( adiyar ) also gave 25 sheep for burning a perpetual lamp in the temple.  The presiding deity is called as "Tirumalaimel Bhatarar", in this records.      

Ref:

Jaina inscriptions of Tamil Nadu ( A Topographical List ), by Dr A Ekambaranathan Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras & Dr CK Sivaprakasam Department of History, AVVM Sri Pushpham College, Poondi, Thanjavur. 

ARCHITECTURE

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.

 Mahavir Tirthankara 

 Padmavathy Yakshi

 Ambika Yakshi

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 OF THE JAIN TIRTHANKARAS HILL : CLICK HERE

 Mahavir

 Mahavir

 Parshvanath

 Bahibali with his sisters

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Vettuvan Koil /வெட்டுவான் கோயில், Kalugumalai / கழுகுமலை, 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 Kalugumalai 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 Mudi konda 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.

Miruthanka Dhakshinamurthy

Narasimha

Brahma

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 adhisthana is not completed. The Koil starts  with prastaram. The prastaram is of  kapotha 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 Kapotha on both tiers are with Kodikarukku and maiya karukku.  In front of Nasi koodu Various deities are carved. They includes Dakshinamurthy 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

Vishnu

 

The following Photos are taken on 2nd December 2023 Visit to this temple 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---