Kalugumalai

Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu holds a tiny yet important place known by the name- Kalugumalai or Kazhugumalai. The popularity of the place is because of its ancient rock-cut temples and monolithic Jain beds. The town is surrounded by the mighty hills, which gives it the name. Kalugumalai means “Hill of Vultures”. The former name of which was- Araimalai or Thirumalai. Apart from the Jain temple and the rock cut temples, the town also has a popular sacred Church. Thus, this small town has lots of religious importance. The small town has witnessed many incidents and events for a long time. It is believed that it used to be a major trade route once upon a time, also the town housed the palace of the Pandya king Ettimannan, adding to it, it was also an important preaching place of Lord Mahavir and the Kalugumalai riots of 1895 too took place here.