Kalugasalamoorthy Murugan Temple

Overview

Kalugasalamoorthy Temple or Kalugumalai Murugan temple in Kalugumalai, a panchayat town in Thoothukudi region in the South Indian condition of Tamil Nadu, is committed to the Hindu god Murugan. Developed in the Dravidian style of design, the temple is accepted to have been extended amid the eighteenth century with the pictures uncovered from Kalugumalai. The center temple has stone cut engineering commendable of early Pandyan Art. Alternate segments of Kalugumalai houses the eighth century Kalugumalai Jain Beds and Vettuvan Koil, an unfinished Shiva temple.

About The Temple

Kalugasalamoorthy shake cut surrender temple uncovered on the south-eastern incline of the low rising Araimalai hillock. The present shake cut buckle temple has changed into colossal complex with the auxiliary augmentations, for example, places of worship for partner (Parivara) gods, mandapas and house mandapas and heavenly water tank. The Lord Jambukesavara (type of Lord Shiva) show up as Shivalinga in the east-bound sanctum at the mandapa and the goddess Akhilandesvari likewise shows up in a different south-bound sanctum. The pillared mandapa is bolstered by columns with tasteful bas alleviation figures.

The stone cut buckle temple can be gotten to through a mahamandapa or passageway structure (corridor) which has two doors, one at west and the other at north. The basic mahamandapa is really an augmentation of the stone cut give in temple. There are two sanctums bordering toward the northern mass of the mahamandapa lodging Lord Nataraja and Lord Arumuganayanar (Lord Muruga). The stone cut surrender temple comprises of a veneer, mukha mandapa and sanctum.

Facade

The exterior contains two tremendous columns in the center and pilaster on both finishes with the components of square, octagonal kattu and square. The columns and pilasters are protected with metal sheets. The first veneer of the stone slice temple has been changed to suit the flight of steps and the plinth (floor) development of the auxiliary fundamental mandapa. The veneer, with equally leveled floor, is 2.05 meters in the east - west and 6.30 meters in the north - west.

The exterior additionally stretches out by 6.46 meters in the north - south and 60 cm in the east - west and the tallness is 2.08 meters. The flight of four stages (just three in the north) prompting to the mukha mandapa go through the anganas of columns. The kapodabandha Adhishtanam of the veneer include components, for example, upana, supporting upana, Thamarai, jagadi, eight patta kumuda, kantha with pada flanked by kampa, pattika and uparikampa and kapota.

The octagonal kattu of columns lay on the wide-precise vettu potikas (corbel sections) which bolsters the prastara components, for example, Uttara (bar), vajana and rooftop. The prastara components likewise reach out as unsculpted kapota. The north and south dividers shaping part of the mother shake stretches out equally up to one meter.

Mukha Mandapa

Another row of two pillars and two pilasters are cantoning the part of facade and mukha mandapa. The angana (space between pilaster and pillar) at north bears a brick wall partition. The south angana (between pilaster and pillar) modified with brick wall partition with an entrance to the rock cut sanctum. A flight of single step leads to the sanctum.

The angana between the two pillars is also modified as the main entrance to the cave sanctum. The brass sheet insulated pillars bear lotus medallions. The lintel of the main entrance (below the kapota insulated with brass sheet) shows makara torana with goddess Gajalakshmi at the center. The square section of the pillars and wide angular vettu potikas support the prastara elements like vajana and roof.

Inner Mandapa

An inner mandapa is located in between sanctum and mukha mandapa, measuring 6.50 metres in the south - north and 2.00 metres in the east - west and 2.77 metres in height.

Sanctum

The flight of single stride prompts to the sanctum. The sanctum is a cubical cell with 1.98 meters in east-west and 2.48 meters in north-south headings. The stature of the sanctum is 2.48 meters. The front mass of the sanctum is separated with the four pilasters. There are two stages developed bordering toward the south mass of internal mandapa and sanctum. The sanctum houses Lord Kalugasalamoorthy with consorts.

Ruler Kalugasalamoorthy seems situated on his pea-cockerel vehicle in utkutikasana act. The Lord is joined by his two consorts: goddess Valli to his left side and confronting north and goddess Deivanai to his right side and confronting south. The gems of the goddesses incorporate Karanda makuta, pathra kundalas, sarapali, armlets, wrist trinkets and silk pieces of clothing on their abdomen. Goddess Deivanai alone wears bosom band. The Lord wears Karanda makuta, patra kundala, pearl and Rudraksha globules malas, and silk articles of clothing on his midriff.

Of the twelve hands the upper right hand holds Vajra (thunderbolt), center right hand holds the khadga (sword), the lower right hand indicates abhaya hasta mudra (motion of dauntlessness); the upper left hand holds sakthivel (stick), center hand khetka (shield) and lower hand varada hasta mudra (motion of liberality).

Generally in Murugan temples, his vehicle peacock would head towards his privilege, yet it is worn on to one side of Murugan in this temple. It is trusted that Indra, the lord of divine gods, showed up as peacock to venerate Murugan. The picture of the peacock is consequently secured amid the celebrations.

Inscriptions

The Vikrama Pandiya’s 15th regional year inscription engraved before the sanctum of Lord Jambukeswarar (on the south wall) records the gift of fifty goats and one sheep to provide ghee for burning perpetual lamp by the Sri Rudramahesvara of this temple. The inscription also mentions about the tank for collecting the ablution water.

Legend and Stories

According to Hindu legend, the temple is related with the period ofRamayana. Ravana, the evil spirit lord, while snatching Sita, the partner of Rama, slaughtered Jatayu, the bird. Rama did the last customs for Jatayu, who educated Rama about the kidnapping before his life finished. Jatayu's sibling Sambathi, who was additionally called Kazhugumahamunivar, was stressed over the repercussions of him not doing his karma, the last ceremonies of his sibling.

Rama prompted him to do his retribution at Gajamukaparvatham and taking sacred plunge in the tank. Ages breathed easy arrived when Muruga was seeking after to kill Surapadman, another evil spirit. Tharukasuran, the sibling of Surapadman, was alarming the sages in the district. Murugan killed Tharukasuran and was resting at Kazhugumalai.

Sambathi was helping Murugan and he likewise demonstrated the den of Surapadman, whom Murugan killed in this way. Satisfied with his commitment, Murugan gave salvation. The place came to be known as Kazhugumalai since the sage Kazhugumahamunivar dwelled here.

History of The Temple

The researchers have allocated the time of this stone slice temple structure to eighth century A.D. in light of its engineering. The pictures of the directing divinity were uncovered from the Southwestern corner of Kalugumalai. The pictures were introduced and the main pillared corridors were built amid the eighteenth century. The temple discovers say in Kandapuranam, a work by Kachiyappar.

Kachiyappar notices that there are just three holy temples of Murugan where he confronts the South and this is the main temple where he confronts south and furthermore in situated stance. The temple was under the control of Ettaiyapuram Zamindar under 1954. The Raja skilled the town to the temple and framed five roads around the temple to empower the temple auto to pass effortlessly. He likewise allotted a center road for the temple ministers.

Amid the Panguni Uthiram celebration parade, the lengthened clash between two positions in the locale, in particular, Nadars and Maravars brought about mobs, prevalently called Kalugumalai uproars of 1895. An aggregate of ten individuals were executed, many harmed and the temple auto and other property in the district were crushed. In present day times, the temple is kept up and managed by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.

Pooja Timing

1. Vilasa Poojai – 08:30 am
2. Uchikala Poojai – 12:15 pm
3. Sayaratchi Poojai – 06:00 pm
4. Arthajama Poojai – 08:30 pm

Festivals

The major festivals of the temple include the ten-day Vaikasi Visagam celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi(May - June), 13 day Kanthasasti festival, Ten day Thaipoosam festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Thai (January - February) and the 13 day Panguni Uthiram festival during Panguni (March – April).

Interesting Facts

1. Lord Muruga gives darsan here with six hands, but one head.
2. Unlike in other temples, the images of Valli and Devasena in standing posture are installed opposite to Murugan, instead of the places right and left to him.
3. One of the three temples where Lord Murugan is west facing.

Significance

For satisfactory marriage alliances, children, Education, development of business, agriculture and relief from Sevaai Dosa, Guru Dosha are boons devotees seek from the Lord of this temple. It is believed that job promotions are sure once the devotee visits and prays in the temple.

How To Reach Kalugumalai

The best tip would be to get off at Kovilpatti and take a local bus or taxi to Kalugumalai. Air India, Jet Airways and Spice Jet fly into Madurai. The nearest train station is Kovilpatti though it would be nearly equidistant from Kadambur and Sankarankovil stations too. Kalugumalai is located about 15 kms off NH7, just after Kovilpatti, to the right travelling from Madurai towards Kanyakumari.

Temple Address

Kalugasalamoorthy Murugan Temple,
Kalugumalai, Sankaran Koil,
Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu,
India, Pincode - 628 552.