Vettuvan Kovil

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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😊

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.