கழுகுமலை - வெட்டுவான் கோயிலும் சமணப்பள்ளியும்
Kalugumalai is home to a number of historical monuments. This post is about the incomplete monolithic temple built in the 8th century and the ancient Jain Palli on the hilltop.
This is similar to the monolithic monuments at Mahabalipuram - the Pancha Rathas carved out of stone in the 7th century. The most impressive temple of this type is the Kailasanatha rock cut monolithic temple in Ellora in present day Maharashtra built by the Rashtrakuta kings in the 8th century. Here at Kalugumalai deep in the south the Pandian kings also attempted a monolithic temple to Sivan in the 8th century. It was never completed. What was achieved looks quite impressive and makes one yearn for what could have been. They call it the Vettuvan Koil (வெட்டுவான் கொயில்).
Above the Vettuvan Koil is an ancient Jain Monastery (சமணப்பள்ளி). It was active from the beginning of the first millennium to the 13th century. The rock cut carvings are mostly from the 8th and 9th centuries. A lot of inscriptions. The language is Tamil.
Kalugumalai is located about 68 km or 1.5 hours northwest of Thirunelveli, about 20 minutes off the NH44.
We visited in August 2019. We were based in Thirunelveli.
Credits: Google Maps
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