Kalugumalai
The Kalugumalai is one of the situated in the Kovilpatti taluk of Thoothukudi District in Tamil Nadu. This tourist site is at a distance of 21Km from the Kovilpatti and 22Km from the Sankaran Kovil.
Kalugasalamoorthy Temple
In the Kalugasalamoorthy Temple, the main deity is Lord Murugan. The entrance Hall and the main God Hall is delved inside the Kalugumalai foot Hills on the South western side of the Hill. This temple has a number of aesthetic rock carves, that belongs to the 18th century. The Lord Murugan of this Temple worshipped along with his wife Deivayani. Then the others deities of this temple are the God Shiva, Vinayakar, Akilandeswari and other deities.
Jain Temple
The Kazhugumalai is one of the Jain religious centers. It is believed that the Jain ascetic Gunasagara Bhattara lived on this Hill. For nearly 300 years, from the 8th century A.D, it was the center for Jain learning. This site is popular for the exceptional rock sculpture, seen here. In the sculpture dating 8th to 9th century A.D, you can see the image of the Bhagwan Parshwanatha on the rock. Here you can see the main god Araimalai Alwar along with the images of the other Jain monks. These sculptures were made in remembrance of the departed souls. Some of the rock carves of the Jain monks in this place, date back to the era of the Padiyan King, Parantaka Nedunjadaiya. But other carves belongs to the different centuries, which got destroyed after the rule of Pandyan King terminated in this place.
Vettuvan Koil
The Vettuvan Koil is the Hindu Temple, which is the Pandiyan stone cave Temple of the 8th and 9th century. This Temple shows the great quality of the Tamil tradition, culture and sacred centers having the religious arts. Here the Temple is delved in a rectangular format, that shows the Temple architecture of the Pandiyan period. The sculpture of Gods like the Uma Maheswarar, Vishnu, Brahma and the Dakshinamoorthy . In this rock cut temple, you can see the 122 rock carves.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
The Our Lady of Lourdes Church is the largest Roman Catholic Church in this area. This 100 years old Church has two steeples in front of the Church. The Church has nearly 3000 members who make the regular prayers.
Other Temples
Here, the other Temples are the Sri Ananthamma Kovil, Vinayaga Temple and the Kalugumalai Ayyanar temple.
Climate
This place faces a tropical climate and the hot summer. Then the rainfall occurs from the July month to December month, but Winter occurs with tolerable temperature.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit this site, is at the time of Winter or in the rainy season.
Transport facilities
To visit this site, people can go through the Thoothukudi, which is only 15Kms from this Kalugumalai. Then the buses between the Kovilpatti and the Sankarankovil stops at the Kalugumalai. The nearest railway station is the Kovilpatti railway station, from where you can opt a bus to reach this site. For the flight travelers, the nearest Airport is the Tuticorin Airport which is at a distance of 62Km.
Location: Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
Timings: The Timings may be different for different places in Kalugumalai
Open in all the days
Best time for Visit: Winter and the rainy months.