Kalugasalamoorthy Temple (Kalugumalai Murugan temple),
Kalugumalai, Thoothukudi - Legends
As per
Hindu legend, the temple is associated with the period of Ramayana. Ravana, the demon king, while abducting Sita, the consort of Rama, killed Jatayu, the eagle. Rama did the final rites for Jatayu, who
informed Rama about the abduction before his life ended. Jatayu's brother
Sambathi, who was also called Kazhugumahamunivar, was worried about the
repercussions of him not doing his karma, the final rites of his brother.
Rama
advised him to do his penance at Gajamukaparvatham and taking holy dip in the
tank. Ages passed by and the time arrived when Muruga was pursuing to slay Surapadman, another demon. Tharukasuran, the brother of Surapadman,
was troubling the sages in the region. Murugan slayed Tharukasuran and was
resting at Kazhugumalai.
Sambathi
was assisting Murugan and he also indicated the hideout of Surapadman, whom
Murugan slayed subsequently. Pleased with his devotion, Murugan gave salvation.
The place came to be known as Kazhugumalai since the sage Kazhugumahamunivar
resided here.