Vettuvan Koil /வெட்டுவான் கோயில், Kalugumalai / கழுகுமலை, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

30^th June 2019.

I was planning to attend a marriage on 30 June 2019 in Thoothukudi, where I have worked for more than a quarter century. Taking this opportunity, I decided to visit Kalugumalai. Although I had visited Kalugumalai when I was in Thoothukudi, this time, I wanted to visit from a heritage point of view. At Kalugumalai, I was fortunate to Join the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation's Heritage Walk, organized by Mr Rajaguru.

From the inscriptions, the Big Village Kalugumalai was called Peruneccuram, and the hill was called 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 are being written in this post and the rest will be in the subsequent posts.

According to the inscriptions,, the Vettuvan Koil was excavated in the the 8th Century during the Pandyan Maran Chadaiyan Varaguna-I. The inscription also mentions the Pandya Kings Parantaka Nedunchezian and Parantaka Veera Narayanan. The Vettuvan Koil is unfinished, yet its beauty is uncomparable to that of any other Temple. Unlike the stone temples,, this Vettuvan Koil was excavated on the east side of the Kalugumalai to a depth of 7.5 Meters from top to bottom.

Miruthanka Dhakshinamurthy

Narasimha

Brahma

The Koil consists of a sanctum Sanctorum and an artha mandapa. A recent period Installed Vinayagar is in the sanctum Sanctorum. Outside the sanctum 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 4 corners. The Kapotha on both tiers are with Kodikarukku and maiya karukku.  In front of Nasi koodu Various deities are carved. They include Dakshinamurthy playing Mridangam (a unique feature of this Koil / Temple), Brahma, Vishnu, Narasimhar, Uma Maheswara, Apsaras, Devas, etc. 

The Bhootha ganas are extraordinary sculptures. Each is unique in style, reaction, and facial expression. Some play musical instruments, some with snakes, and some play with each other by pulling their heads and ears. Some wear accessories and beards. Some eat, some laugh, and some cry with big mustaches. Bhoothaganas include ladies, too.

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

LEGEND 

A sculptor father and son went to a temple festival and the 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 the father about the talent of the young sculptor. The  father got angry and threw his chisel, which cut the young Sculptor and died. On seeing  this the young sculptor, the Old Sculptor recognizes his son wept. Hence this Koil was called 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.

The nearest railway station is Kovilpatti.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Kodi karukku

Uma Maheswara

Vishnu

 

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

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---