Kalugumalai is home to a number of historical monuments. We visited the incomplete monolithic temple built in the 8th century and the ancient Jain Palli on the hilltop. We were not able to visit the historic Murugan temple on the other side of the hill due to lack of time.
Most of you have heard about or visited the famous 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 you see are mostly from the 8th and 9th centuries. Wonder whether you can identify the script and read them? The language is Tamil.
Kalugumalai is located about 68 km or 1.5 hours northwest of Thirunelveli, about 20 minutes off the NH44.
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