Karungulam

Karungulam village in Tuticorin District, and has been under this jurisdiction since the bifurcation of Tirunelveli District.[1][2]

The Thamiraparani river flows on the eastern side of Karungulam village parallel to the Tirunelveli–Tiruchendur high road.

Vagulagiri is a small hillock situated on the southern bank of Thamparapani, on the northeastern side of the village. It is said to have gained its name from vagulam flowers which once covered the hill.

Veneration is important to many of the people of Karungulam and those who visit the village and surrounding region.

Some believe that the Pushkarani water of Tirupati flows into the Thamiraparani river, making it sacred. Temples line both sides of the river along the Tirunelveli–Tiruchendur road, and people bathe in the river to purify their sins before going for darshan at Vagulagiri.

The village is near the Adichanallur where ancient people lived. Many burial urns protrude from the ground portion of Kotai Vasal. Coins and mud vessels have been unearthed during excavations for new construction.

Karungulam is sometimes called Marthandam Karungulam for the Lord Marthandeswara temple located at the entrance of the village on its northern border. The unique feature of this temple is that the Navagrahas are depicted with their wives, suggesting that it is very old.

A Navadurga (nine forms of Durga) temple unique to Tamil Nadu is located near the Marthandeswara temple. The nine durgas are Śhailaputrī, Brahmachāriṇī, Chandraghaṇṭā, Kushmanda, Skandamātā, Kārtyāyanī, Kālarātrī, Mahāgaurī and Siddhidātrī.

The Vagulari temple atop Vagulagiri hill enshrines its main deity, Lord Venkatachalapathy, in the form of two sticks (tharkals) made of sandalwood. Depictions of Lords Venkatesa and Srinivasa overlook the village and some believe that the figures protect the villagers from evils, communicable diseases and other dangers. The sticks are removed from the temple and used to drive the car in the temple car festival. The Chithirai festival attracts many devotees. Puratasi Sani Garuda Sevai is celebrated in the Saturdays of Puratasi, and the Pavithrothsavam festival is celebrated for three days in July.

Other temples surround the village. Sri Santhanamari Amman temple is managed by the Yadava community and located at the southern border. Sri Vadakku Vasal Selvi is at the northeastern border; Sri Angala Eshvari is at the western border.

It is believed that many Siddas have lived in Vagulagiri and that some are still living in Sukshma and Sthula forms. Rishi Agathiyar has visited this hill several times.