Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Kalugasalamoorthy Temple (Kalugumalai Murugan temple), Kalugumalai, Thoothukudi

Kalugasalamoorthy Temple (Kalugumalai Murugan temple), Kalugumalai, Thoothukudi
Kalugasalamoorthy Temple (or Kalugumalai Murugan temple) in Kalugumalai, a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been expanded during the 18th century with the images excavated from Kalugumalai. The core temple has a rock-cut architecture exemplary of early Pandyan Art. The other portions of Kalugumalai houses the 8th century Kalugumalai Jain Beds and Vettuvan Koil, an unfinished Shiva temple.




The temple has a gateway leading to a pillared hall and the sanctum. The temple is open from 5:30 am - 12:30 pm and 6 - 9 pm. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten days Vaikasi Visagam, 13 day Kanthasashti festival, ten day Thaipoosam festival and the 13 day Panguni Uthiram festival being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.




The village may have got its present name from the hill Kalugumalai ("Hill of the vulture"). Earlier it was known as Araimalai or Thirumalai. Even before that it was referred as Nechchuram and Tiruneccuram. Some of the epigraphy’s mentions that there was a palace for the Pandya official called Ettimannan. At the foot of the Kalugumalai a large urn-burial cemetery was found. However hundreds of urns were destroyed during limestone quarrying. Opposite to Kalugasalamoorthy temple there is a small palace which served as local residence of Raja of Ettaiyapuram.




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.




Geographical Location
The Kazhugasalamoorthy Murugan temple in Kalugumalai is Geographically Positioned at 9°09'02.6"N 77°42'13.3"E or 9.150735, 77.703683.




Legends
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History
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The Temple
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Temple Opening Time
·        Morning: 5.30 A.M - 12.30 P.M
·        Evening: 6.00 P.M - 9.00P.M
Pooja Timings
S.No
Pooja Name
Time
1
Vilasa Poojai
8.30 A.M
2
Uchikala Poojai
12.15 P.M
3
Sayaratchi Poojai
6.00 P.M
4
Arthajama Poojai
8.30 P.M
Festivals
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Literary Mention
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Contact
Arulmigu Kalugasalamoorthy Temple
Kalugumalai, Sankaran Koil
Thoothukudi District – 628 552
Phone: +91 4632 251225
Mobile: +91 86829 07127
Connectivity
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