THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT

KALUGUMALAI TOWN PANCHAYAT

HERITAGE TOWN SCHEME

PROFILE

1. Introduction :

Kalugumalai is a Selection grade Town panchayat  in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in Kovilpatti Assembly Constituancy . .Kalugumalai is located in between Kovilpatti and Sankarankoil. This small beautiful town has great historic background and religious value. It has an average elevation of about 105 metres (344 feet). The main occupation of this area is only agriculture and match industries . People on tourism as well as on pilgrimage reasons coming to this area in lakhs every year regularly.                 

2. Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Kalugumalai had a population of 14,088. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kalugumalai has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 63%. In Kalugumalai , 9% of the population is under 6 years of age . Present population of this Panchayat is about 14738.

3. Historical Significance of the Town and Temple

In 1557, Kazhugumalai was under the rule of the King Thirumalai Nayakar who ruled Madurai Kingdom. At that time, King of Ettayapuram assisted King Thirumalai Nayakar in his war against the King of Kerala in Kerala. The King of Ettayapuram had gained Victory. When he returned to his Kingdom, he was killed cunningly by his enemies at lranial. Showing his gratitude to the Kng of Ettayapuram, King Thirumalai Nayakar offered Kazhugumalai and its surrounding Villages to the family of the King of Ettayapuram. Subsequently, Kazhugumalai and other places came under the rule of King of Ettayapuram. The Kings of Ettayapuram later developed the place and donated a Chariot for Lord Muruga and also developed a Pond.

According to muthology, the place derived its namd Kazhugumalai, meaning Eagle Mountain. Sampathy, an eagle-saint, and Jatayu’s blood brother, worshipped on a mountain at this place, after obtaining the blessings of Lord Rama and hence the name Kazhugumalai. A Mountain is also located in the center of the town.

Another story says that the King of Pallankottai, the nearby Village of Kazhugumalai, heard a bell sound emerging from a cave. Noticing a statue in the cave, the King built a Cave (Vettuvan) Temple, which is popularly known as “South Ellora”. The temple curved with beautiful carvings in three layers, depicts the architecture of the time, with a length and width of 40 ft. each and a height of 20 ft. and is nonolithic in character. It is currently under the control of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.

 The cave temple comprises of the Statues of Lord Dakshinamoorthy, Lord Muruga, Lord Brahma and Goddess Umamaheswari in the form of carvings and the sculptures of Musicians playing instruments by their side. Excellent Rock carvings of “Theerthakaras” are also making the place an important destination for Jains. This Jain cave temple belongs to 8th Century A.D. and is visited by Jains from all over the Country.

According to another mythology, when the Saint Agasthair went towards Podhigai mountain, Lord Muruga appeared before him and gave his blessings. This temple belongs to 8th Century A.D.

 At the bottom of the Hill, there is another cave Temple dedicated to Lord Muruga. This Temple is a monolithic structure, which has Sancturm (Karuvarai), Pond, Tower and beautiful Mandapam (resting place).

4. Temples

There are Three main Temples in Kalugumalai.

4.1 Jaina Abode

There are many relief sculptures dating to the 8th-9th century A.D. in the area, including the rock cut image of Bhagawan Parshwanatha flanked by two Yaksha, as well as many other rock cut images of other tirthankaras.The area is known for the Jain cave temple and architecture.The main deity of the hill was called Araimalai Alwar. The other figures were caused to be made by the followers of Jain faith from a number of villages nearby. The sculptures were caused to be made in memory of the departed souls. There are approximately one hundred and fifty relief sculptures.The sculptures and the epigraphs are to be assigned to the reign of Pandya, Parantaka Nedunjadaiya (A.D768-800).

4.2  Vettuvan Kovil

Vettuvan Koil (English: a Sculptor's paradise) is a Hindu temple built between the 8th and 9th century. Kalugumalai is a priceless unfinished Pandyan monolith cave temple, part of the iconographic richness that helped chronicle the burgeoning richness of the Tamil culture, traditions, and sacred centres containing religious art.

                        About 7.5 meter of the mountain is excavated in a rectangular fashion and in the middle the temple is sculpted from a single piece of rock. The carvings reflect the southern temple style of the Pandya era. Only the top portion of the temple is completed. The temple has an entrance and centre hall for the main deity. In the later days Ganesha's idol is kept and worshipped. At the top of the temple beautiful sculpture of Uma Maheswarar,Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu and Brahma can be found. This temple is of same style of Kailasnath temple in Ellora, structural shrines at Pattadakal in  Bijapur, monolithic temples of Pallavas at Mamallapuram showing the close political relationship between Pallavas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. There are around 122 sculptures in the rock cut temple. The intricately carved statues are from fine granite.

4.3 Kalugasalamoorthi Temple

The main deity of this temple is Murugan. The main deity hall and entrance hall is excavated inside the foot hills of kalugumalai in the south western corner of the hill and with external structural additions. The temple has many aesthetic sculptures.The temple dates to 18th century. The main deity is Lord Murugan with his wife Deivanai.

 The temple complex also has shrines of Shiva, Akilandeswari, Vinayakar and many lesser deities.  Other than these temples there is Vinayaga temple at the top of the Kalugumalai hill and Ayyanar temple on the way to Jaina Abode.

5.  Festivals of the Temple at Kazhugumalai

                  Festivals are conducted at Kazhugumalai temple mostly throught out the year – The important ones being follows: -        

6.  Other Temples

Our Lady of Lourdes, (1906) is very famous church and popular in Palayamkottai Diocese.  

7. Trade

Kalugumalai, along with the surrounding villages, specializes in the manufacturing of safety matches. There are hundreds of small scale industries involved in this trade, supported by the dry climatic condition and skilled labor available.