Vettuvan Koil, Rock-cut Hindu temple in Kalugumalai, India
Vettuvan Koil is a rock-cut Hindu temple in Kalugumalai, southern Tamil Nadu, carved from a single granite block. The structure holds more than a hundred sculptures and shows clear tooling marks in its lower section while the upper part was finished.
Stonemasons shaped the structure in the 8th century during the Pandya dynasty under King Parandhagan Netunjadaiyan. Work stopped for unknown reasons and provides insight into construction methods of that time.
The walls feature Hindu deities with ornaments showing animals and divine companions. Worshippers and travelers visit the site to see carvings that are part of southern India's religious tradition.
The site sits roughly 60 kilometers north of Tirunelveli and is overseen by Tamil Nadu's archaeology department. The grounds on the granite hill require some walking over uneven terrain, so sturdy shoes are helpful.
The name translates as Paradise of Sculptors and refers to the incomplete work that left lower sections rough. Visitors can see how craftsmen once worked stone before polishing and final touches were applied.
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