Kazhugumalai is an important place in Tuticorin District. It was earlier known as Peruneccuram and the hillock was known as Araimalai. Some Jain inscriptions are found in it. This Temple is built on a small rocky hillock. The entire Temple complex is carved out of a single rock in a rectangular area measuring 7.5 meter in depth. The carvings of this Temple has an incomplete bottom. The sculptures of this Temple shows the intricate art and culture of the Pandya Kingdom. It is believed that this Temple was excavated during the reign of Pandiyan Maran Chadaiyan Varaguna I. Some inscriptions refer the names of the Pandya Kings like King Paranthaka Veera Narayanan and King Parathaka Nedunchezhian.

The Temple consists of an Artha Mandapam, and a Sanctum Sanctorum. A new addition has been given in the form of a Sri Ganapathy Idol which has been recently installed in the Moolasthanam. The outer walls of the Moolasthanam looks unfinished or semi finished. The Vimanam of this Temple looks like a blooming Lotus and surrounded by hills on three sides. The Vimanam of this Temple has images of Ganas, Dakshinamoorthy, Uma or Parvathy, Nandhi and many animals like Lions and Monkeys are also seen on this Vimanam. One of the unique aspect of this Temple is that, this is the only place where Dakshinamoorthy is depicted as playing the Mirudhangam instead of Veenai. Many historians believe that this Temple is built by folllowing the Virupaksha Temple at Karnataka. This Rock Cut Temple is on of the major tourist attraction spot of Kazhugumalai. The Consort is depicted in a Maharaja Leelasanam posture. God Shiva as Pushkara Dakshinamoorthy, Maha Vishnu is depicted as Sri Narashimar and Sri Brahmma can be seen sitting in a Ardha Padmasana Posture on a Lotus. The Boothaganams of this Temple are not the same and looks quite different from one another in looks and style. It is thought that several sculptors had joined together and had chiselled out this Temple. Though all the Idols look exquisite and eye captivating a few of them seems to be damaged. This Temple attracts more Historians and Tourists to this place than the number of Devotees. This Temple is Administered and Maintained by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Contact Details: 81109 12703

Temple Timing: 9 AM to 6 PM

Distance from Kovilpatti to Kazhugumalai is 24 Kms

Distance from Thoothukudi to Kazhugumalai is 89 Kms

Distance from Thirunelveli or Tirunelveli to Kazhugumalai is 57 Kms

Distance from Thiruchendur to Kazhugumalai is 109 Kms

Distance from Nagerkoil or Nagercoil to Kazhugumalai is 139 Kms

Distance from Kanyakumari to Kazhugumalai is 142 Kms

Distance from Kallidaikurichi to Kazhugumalai is 99 Kms

Distance from Kalakkad to Kazhugumalai is 100 Kms

Distance from Tenkasi to Kazhugumalai is 62 Kms

Distance from Vilathikulam to Kazhugumalai is 57 Kms

Distance from Sivakasi to Kazhugumalai is 38 Kms

Distance from Virudhunagar to Kazhugumalai is 70 Kms

Distance from Banduvarpatti to Kazhugumalai is 32 Kms

Distance from Sankarankoil to Kazhugumalai is 20 Kms

Distance from Srivilliputhur to Kazhugumalai is 52 Kms

Distance from Rajapalayam to Kazhugumalai is 52 Kms

Distance from Thirukkolur to Kazhugumalai is 87 Kms

Distance from Paramakudi to Kalugumalai is 145 Kms

Distance from Pathanamthitta to Kalugumalai is 151 Kms

Distance from Kollam to Kalugumalai is 155 Kms

Distance from Varkala to Kalugumalai is 160 Kms

Distance from Thiruvananthapuram to Kalugumalai is 164 Kms

Distance from Devakottai to Kazhugumalai is 213 Kms

Distance from Ramanathapuram to Kalugumalai is 151 Kms

Distance from Rameswaram to Kalugumalai is 205 Kms

Distance from Devipattinam to Kalugumalai is 165 Kms

Distance from Karaikudi to Kalugumalai is 210 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Kalugumalai is 585 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Kovilpatti R.S.

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