ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதுவதற்கு மன்னிக்கவும். dt 12 - 09 - 23. After having a wonderful darshan in Kalugumalai murugan kovil, we asked people for the directions to this wonderful architectural master piece. We wanted to visit this place for a very long time. It is very close to the murugan temple. Need to walk, climb steps to reach this temple. Sad to note that the place was locked and there was no access to go and see it, but then a local told us to go around and use the small opening to get inside the fenced area so that we could see this master piece up close. Definitely not the way a tourist place should be maintained but then ..... Struggled a lot to go near and upfront of this kovil. seeing it, going around it, having a top view of this temple was something beyond words. Simply WOW WOW WOW. Called the ELLORA of the south, and done in the 8th century, historians believe that it must have been constructed using the top down approach same like in ELLORA. A treasure trove, worth seeing. Wish these places are highlighted by the tourism department.

In ancient times Kalugumalai ( Hill of the Vultures ) was known as Araimalai . In the east of this hill is Vettuvan koil & in the south , images of Tirthankaras are found on the rocks . Vettuvan koil is carved out of a huge single rock temple ( Monolithic ). This temple was excavated during 8 th century AD by Nedunjadaiyan Parantaka Varagunan I,the Pandyan king, though the temple is unfinished . Spectacularly decorated carvings are found in the vimanam . The temple has a small artha mandapam & garbhagriha , which now holds Lord Ganapathy . Amazingly carved figures of Umamaheswara , Dhakshina Murthy , Vishnu , Bramha. In the west you can see Narasimha , in the north Bramha , south Dhakshina Murthy .And at the four cornors you can see seated Nandis,now badly damaged.Believed to have been excavated some 40 yrs before the excavation of Kailasa temple of Ellora.

It's Southindian mini Ajanta Ellora.... Small park also there

The beautiful Rock cut temple is in Kalugumalai, near Kovilpatti. Great wonder to see how this temple was created in a single stone. The rock stones was scooped out to make this wonderful temple. The temple is in unfinished condition and the sculptures are broken. We don't know the reason. Some body told that this temple is a miniature form of the Kailash temple of Ellora. It was built during the 8th century. There are only two temples in India, one at Ellora and the other one is this. Also Jain beds are seen in this mountain. Also Sri Ayyanar, Sri Karuppar temples are there. Many sculptures on the mountain are making us to exclamate as how they carved.A must see place. The aerial view of the surrounding and the pond are also beautiful

Beautiful place. vettuvan kovil is also called has "tamilnadu ellora" we want walk few distance to see the wonder . steps are there so elder people can also visit don't miss it😊

Beautiful temple carved from single rock. Temple is not completed 100%. Temple looks like Kailash temple of Ellora, People here believing that it may be the model to build Kailash temple both the architecture are similar. Govt. should take more action to preserve the heritage site, many people have already distorted nearby rocks by writing their name etc.

One of the oldest monolithic Rockcut Temple ... The government can allocate more funds to save this from destruction and try to take more steps to include this in UNESCO'S list of world heritage sites....

This place has a temple tower which was carved from a single rock and from the top to bottom. The cave nearby is an archeologicallyans historically important one where the jains had lived

Truly a marvel of ancient architecture , which everyone should visit . The temple is unfinished , but one can appreciate the awesome vision and effort of the builders of 8th Century who cut this monolith , working from top downwards , from a rocky hill . The finished parts are stunning creations of great beauty . The shikara resembles the more famous Kailasa of Ellora . It is a protected monument under Archeology Department .

Took a detour from our trip to Madurai and saw this marvellous spot. It is perfect for a short visit in the evening (closes by 5pm), the well preserved rock cut sculptures, the view from atop, the rock paths to rest at.

Nice historic place with Great Monuments worth of visiting this place and Good Pligrim Exposture at Kalugasalamoorthy temple and Vettuvan Kovil is Mass and Mainly the Ellora of south

It is present inside the park. No entry fee. Vehicles can be parked outside. No separate parking available. Nice view from the top.

Vettuvan Kovil is an architectural masterpiece that left me awestruck. This ancient Tamil temple, located in Southern India, exudes a unique aura of grandeur and spirituality. The intricate stone carvings on the outer walls depict scenes from Hindu mythology, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of the artisans from centuries past. The towering Gopuram (entrance tower) adorned with vibrant sculptures is simply breathtaking. As I stepped inside, the sense of tranquility washed over me, amplified by the soothing chants and the smell of incense. The sanctum sanctorum houses a captivating idol of the presiding deity, radiating divinity. The temple's preservation is commendable, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into our rich cultural heritage. A must-visit for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a spiritual connection with the past.

this temple is known as the 'ellora of south'. apart from kailash of ellora and dharmarajeswar temple of mandsaur, this is also a monolithic temple, a technical and aesthetic marvel.

Beautiful Great temple situated on a steep hill. Amazing experience ever. Beautiful Vibes blow mind and soul. A single rock cut temple is amazing. Must visit🙏😍💕

Vettuvan Koil in Kalugumalai, a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in the Pandyan Architecture and rock cut architecture, the unfinished temple was built during the 8th century CE by the early Pandyas. The other portions of Kalugumalai hillock houses the 8th century Kalugumalai Jain Beds and Kalugasalamoorthy Temple, a Murugan temple.

Must visit place. You will get amazed from the temple architecture.

8th century rock-cut temple on top of the Kalugumalai. Take a 14 kilometre detour on the highway between Thirunelveli and Madurai. That ride itself is worth it.

Kazhugumalai vettuvan kovil is a Kudaivarai kovil, which is built by drilling a rock downwards. It's like ellora caves. If you want to explore our ancient sculptures visit here

Vettuvan Koil (Sculptors paradise), Kalugumalai is a Hindu temple built between the 8th and 9th century. Kalugumalai is a priceless unfinished Pandyan monolith cave temple, part of the iconographic richness that helped chronicle the burgeoning richness of the Tamil culture, traditions, and sacred centres containing religious art. About 7.5 meter of the mountain is excavated in a rectangular fashion and in the middle the temple is sculpted from a single piece of rock. The carvings reflect the southern temple style of the Pandya era. Only the top portion of the temple is completed. The temple has an entrance and centre hall for the main deity. In the later days Ganesha's idol is kept and worshipped. At the top of the temple beautiful sculpture of Uma Maheswarar, Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu and Brahma can be found. This temple is of same style of Kailasnath temple in Ellora, structural shrines at Pattadakal in Bijapur, monolithic temples of Pallavas at Mamallapuram showing the close political relationship between Pallavas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. There are around 122 sculptures in the rock cut temple. The intricately carved statues are from fine granite

Beautiful temple. Need to have a small hike to reach it. You can also hike further to reach Jain sculptures and Ayyanar temple.

Ellora of South... Wow to the unfinished Architecture... Visit by 4 to escape heat and visit the vinayagar statue

Worderful place to visit. Must watch it

Wonderful place to understand our ancient engineering skills