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The Vedagiriswarar Temple is a
The word "Thirukazhukundram" comes from the Tamil words ''thiru'' (respectful), ''kazhugu'' (vulture/eagle), and ''kundram'' (mount). It was known as "Thirukazhugukundram" in ancient times, which later culminated into "Thirukazhukundram". The town is also known as "''Pakshi-theertham''" (''Pakshi''- bird; ''Theertham''- 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. 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. It has also been known as ''Uruthrakodi'', ''Nandipuri'', ''Indrapuri'', ''Narayanapuri'', ''Brahmapuri'', ''Dinakarapuri'', and ''Muniganapuri'' in the past. There are many inscriptions in the temple.
Image:Main Gopuram.jpg, Main Gopuram of Hill temple of Thirukazhukundram
Image:Sangu Theertham.jpg, Sangu Theertham(conch tank) of Thirukazhukundram
Orukal Mandapa, Brahma Siva Visnu Cave temple 1, Tirukkalukkundram Tamil Nadhu.jpg, Orukal Mandapa (610-640 CE) is a Pallava-era rock-cut cave temple about 50 steps below Vedagiriswarar temple, east side of the hill.
Image:Tirukalukundram2.jpg, Temple view from foothills
Image:Tirukalukundram4.jpg, Basement temple view from the hill
Image:Tirukalukundram7.jpg, Sangu Theertham(conch tank) view
File:Thirukalukundram Sangutheertham and Hill Temple.jpg
Hymns of Thirupugazh with their composed locations
*http://www.thirukalukundram.in/ {{HinduMythology Hindu temples in Kanchipuram district Padal Petra Stalam Shiva temples in Kanchipuram district
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
temple dedicated to the god Shiva, located in Tirukalukundram
Tirukalukundram also known as Tirukazhukundram is a panchayat town and Taluk head of Tirukalukundram taluk in Chengalpattu district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is famous for the Vedagiriswarar temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord S ...
(also known as Thirukazhukundram), Tamil Nadu, India.
The Temple
Tirukalukundram is known for the Vedagiriswarar temple complex, popularly known as ''kazhugu koil'' (eagle-temple). The temple consists of two structures, one at the foot-hill and the other on the hill's crest. The large hill-top temple (the main attraction) houses the deity Shiva, also known as ''Vedagiriswarar''. The temple at the foot-hill is dedicated to his consort Parvati, known here as ''Thiripurasundari Amman''. The temple at the foot-hills has four towers (gopurams), which closely resemble the architecture of the Annamalaiyar Temple.History
The word "Thirukazhukundram" comes from the Tamil words ''thiru'' (respectful), ''kazhugu'' (vulture/eagle), and ''kundram'' (mount). It was known as "Thirukazhugukundram" in ancient times, which later culminated into "Thirukazhukundram". The town is also known as "''Pakshi-theertham''" (''Pakshi''- bird; ''Theertham''- 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. 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. It has also been known as ''Uruthrakodi'', ''Nandipuri'', ''Indrapuri'', ''Narayanapuri'', ''Brahmapuri'', ''Dinakarapuri'', and ''Muniganapuri'' in the past. There are many inscriptions in the temple.
Legend
The sage Bharadwaja prayed to the god Shiva for a long life so that he could learn all the Vedas. Shiva appeared before him and granted him his wish to learn the Vedas and created three mountain, each signifying a Veda (Rig Veda, Rig, Yajurveda, Yajur and Sama Veda, Sama). Shiva then 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 possibly cannot be the route for salvation''". Shiva also said that in the ''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, consists of the mountains signifying the Vedas created by Shiva himself. The name ''Vedagiriswarar'' means "''the Lord of the Vedic Mountains''" in Sanskrit.
Poets
It is one of the 275 shrines known as Paadal Petra Sthalams. The five poet-saints Nalvar, Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar and campantar, Thirugnanasamandhar had 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
References
Hymns of Thirupugazh with their composed locations
*http://www.thirukalukundram.in/ {{HinduMythology Hindu temples in Kanchipuram district Padal Petra Stalam Shiva temples in Kanchipuram district