Vedagiriswarar Temple
Vedagiriswarar temple | |
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Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
District | chengalpattu |
Deity | Vedhagireeswarar (Shiva) Thirupurasundari (Parvati) |
Location | |
Location | Tirukalukundram, Tamil Nadu, India |
State | Tamil Nadu |
Country | India |
Location in Tamil Nadu | |
Geographic coordinates | 12°36′24″N 80°03′45″E / 12.60667°N 80.06250°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Dravidian architecture |
Vedagiriswarar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located in Tirukalukundram (also known as Thirukazhukundram), Tamil Nadu, India.
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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/EgyptianVultureThurston.jpg/220px-EgyptianVultureThurston.jpg)
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.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Tirukalukundram3.jpg/600px-Tirukalukundram3.jpg)
Poets
It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. The four Nalvar, 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.
Gallery
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Main Gopuram of Hill temple of Thirukazhukundram
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Sangu Theertham(conch tank) of Thirukazhukundram
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Orukal Mandapa (610-640 CE) is a Pallava-era rock-cut cave temple about 50 steps below Vedagiriswarar temple, east side of the hill.
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Temple view from foothills
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Basement temple view from the hill
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Sangu Theertham(conch tank) view
References
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- ^ Neelakantan, KK (1977). "The sacred birds of Thirukkalukundram". Newsletter for Birdwatchers. 17 (4): 6.
- ^ Siromoney, Gift (1977). "The Neophron Vultures of Thirukkalukundram". Newsletter for Birdwatchers. 17 (6): 1–4.
- ^ Pope, GU (1900). The Tiruvacagam or Sacred utterances of the Tamil poet, saint, and sage Manikka-vacagar. Clarendon Press, Oxford. p. 260.
- ^ Thurston EW (1906). Ethnographic notes in southern India. Government Press, Madras. p. 252.
- ^ V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. p. 47.
- ^ Kapoor, Subodh (2002). Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography, Volume 2. Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 655. ISBN 9788177552997.