Kazhugachalamurthy Temple is a highly revered cave temple situated at Kazhugumalai on the road between Sankaran Koil and
Kovilpatti near
Tirunelveli of
Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity of the temple is
Lord Subramania worshipped in the name Kazhugachalamurthy or Aarumugaswami.
Arunagirinathar has sung about the Kazhugumalai temple in his Thirupugazh. Muthuswamy Dikshitar also has sung about this sacred place.
This ancient temple dating back to the 8th century and the holy water tank is located at the foothills of a 300 ft high hill. Tradition recounts that Adi Madhura Pandyan, the Pandya ruler, constructed this holy shrine.
Subsidiary shrines for Jambukeshwarar, Akhilandeshwari, Somaskandar, Bhikshadanar, Veerabahu, Natarajar and Manikkavacakar are also seen inside the temple complex. The Vettuvan koil, temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh, is there on top of the hill. Several Jain carvings are seen on the hill, which has made this place an important Jain pilgrim center.
The water tank called Valli Sunai is considered to be of great medicinal value. The Mahamandapam of the temple is noted for its sculptural works. Skanda Shashti, Thaipusam, Panguni Uttram and Vaikasi Visakam are the annual festivals celebrated at Kazhugachalamurthy Temple.
Tirunelveli Junction Railway Station is the nearby major access. Madurai Airport is the nearest airport.
