Vedagiriswarar temple

Vedagiriswarar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located in Tirukalukundram (also known as Thirukazhukundram), Tamil Nadu, India.

Vedagiriswarar temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
Districtchengalpattu
DeityVedhagireeswarar (Shiva) Thirupurasundari (Parvati)
Location
LocationTirukalukundram, Tamil Nadu, India
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates12°36′24″N 80°03′45″E
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture

The Temple

Tirukalukundram is known for the Vedagiriswarar temple complex, popularly known as Kazhugu koil (Eagle temple). This temple consists of two structures, one at the foot-hill and the other at the top-hill. The main attraction, the large temple hill-top temple houses the deity of Shiva, known as Vedagiriswarar. The temple at the foot-hills is dedicated to his consort Parvati, known here as Thiripurasundari Amman. The temple at the foot-hills has four towers (gopurams) closely resembling the architecture of the Annamalaiyar Temple

History
Sacred vultures fed by temple priests at Thirukalukundram, 1906

The word Thirukazhukundram comes from the Tamil words Thiru (Respectful), Kazhugu (Vulture/Eagle), Kundram (mount). It was known as "Thirukazhugukundram" in ancient times, which over time became Thirukazhukundram. The town is also known as Pakshi Theertham (Bird's Holy Lake) because of a pair of birds -Most likely Egyptian vultures- that are believed to have visited the site for centuries. These birds are traditionally fed by the temple priests and arrive before noon to feed on offerings made from rice, wheat, ghee and sugar. Although punctual, the failure of the birds to turn up was attributed to the presence of "sinners" among the onlookers.[1][2] Legend has it the vultures (or "eagles") represent eight sages who were punished by Shiva with two of them leaving in each of a series of epochs.[3][4][5] It has also been known as Uruthrakodi, Nandipuri, Indrapuri, Narayanapuri, Brahmapuri, Dinakarapuri, Muniganapuri in the past. There are many inscriptions in the temple. It is also called Pakshitirtham.[6]

Legend

Sage Bharadwaja prayed to the god Shiva for a long life so he could learn all the Vedas. Shiva appeared before him and granted him the wish to learn the Vedas and created three mountains each signifying a Veda (Rig, Yajur and Sama). Shiva took a handful of mud and said "Dear Bharadwaja! The Vedas that you could learn are only this handful compared to the mountains present here, even if you live much longer and hence, learning is never ending and could possibly cannot be the route for Salvation". Shiva also said that in Kali Yuga, the simplest and the surest way to salvation is Bhakti or unfettered devotion, service and love of God and his creations. It is believed that the hill on which the Vedagiriswarar temple is built, is the mountains signifying the Vedas created by Shiva himself. The name Vedagiriswarar means "the Lord of the Vedic Mountains" in Sanskrit.

Panoramic view of the Tirupurasundari Amman Shrine at the foothills

Poets

It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. The four Nayanmars, Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar and Thirugnanasamandhar visited the temple complex and composed hymns in praise of Vedagiriswarar. A shrine, Nalvar Koil, is dedicated to them. Arunagirinathar composed many of his hymns of Thirupugazh in Thirukazhukundram.

Location

Thirukazhukundram is located on State Highway 58, 70 km away from Chennai and 15 km away from the famous tourist town Mahabalipuram. It is also 15 km away from Chengalpattu. Near road links are, 10 km away from Old Mahabalipuram Road, 10 km away from East Coast Road and 15 km away from GST road.

  • Main Gopuram of Hill temple of Thirukazhukundram
  • Sangu Theertham(conch tank) of Thirukazhukundram
  • Temple view from foothills
  • Basement temple view from the hill
  • Sangu Theertham(conch tank) view

References
  1. Neelakantan, KK (1977). "The sacred birds of Thirukkalukundram". Newsletter for Birdwatchers. 17 (4): 6.
  2. Siromoney, Gift (1977). "The Neophron Vultures of Thirukkalukundram". Newsletter for Birdwatchers. 17 (6): 1–4.
  3. Pope, GU (1900). The Tiruvacagam or Sacred utterances of the Tamil poet, saint, and sage Manikka-vacagar. Clarendon Press, Oxford. p. 260.
  4. Thurston EW (1906). Ethnographic notes in southern India. Government Press, Madras. p. 252.
  5. V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. p. 47.
  6. Kapoor, Subodh (2002). Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography, Volume 2. Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 655. ISBN 9788177552997.
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