Holy
Pilgrimage – Temples in Tamilnadu
State
Vedagiriswarar temple, Tamilandu
Thirukazhukundram (Tamil: திருக்கழுக்குன்றம்) or Thirukkalukundram
is an ancient town in Kanchipuram district of the South Indian
state of Tamil Nadu.
The Temple
The town is famous for its Hindu temple, Vedagiriswarar temple, popularly known as Kazhugu koil (Eagle temple). There are two temples, one in the basement of the hill and other atop the hill. The main attraction here is the large temple located atop the mountain which houses the deity of Vedagiriswarar, Lord Shiva. The temple at the foothills is dedicated to Thirupurasundari amman, Parvathi, the consort. It is surrounded by four gopurams which resemble the temple architecture of Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyaar temple.History
The word
Thirukazhukundram comes from the Tamil words Thiru (Respectful), Kazhugu (Eagle),
Kundram (mount). It was known as "Thirukazhugukundram" in ancient
times which was changed to Thirukazhukundram in more recent times. The town is
also known as Pakshi theertham because of a famed pair of birds( Pakshi in
Sanskrit means Bird, Theertham means a holy lake or pond) - Most likely Egyptian Vultures-
that have reputedly 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, Muniganapuri in the past.
The Mythology - Sage Bharadwaja was engaged in Tapasya praying to Lord Shiva
and when Lord Shiva appeared before him, wanted a boon. The boon was for a Long
life, which could be used for learning the Vedas. The Lord in his own way
showed his Hand and Lo!! and Behold - there appeared 3 Mountains each
signifying a Veda (Rig/Yajur/Sama). The Lord took a hand ful 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 much more longer
and hence, learning is never ending and could possibly cannot be the route for
Salvation".Thus spoke the Lord and also said that in Kaliyuga, the simplest
and the surest form of attaining Mukthi is Bhakti or unfettered Devotion,
service and Love towards the Lord and his creations and trying the same through
learning and expertise on Vedic adhyayan is a non starter . And to this day the
Mountains (Vedas)stand there, aptly called Veda Giri (Veda = Vedas and Giri -
Mountains) and below them is the Vedagiri - eswarar temple signifying this
episode.
Poets
The four Naayanmaars and the greatest Saiva poets Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar, Thirugnanasamandhar collectively known as 'Naalvar' came to this place and sang the praises of Lord Siva and there is a separate temple dedicated to them in the place called 'Naalvar kovil'. Tamil devotional poet Arunagirinathar composed many of his hymns of Thirupugazh in Thirukazhukundram.Location
Thirukazhukundram is located on State Highway 58 between Sadras and Tirutani, 70 km away from Chennai and 15 km away from the famous tourist town Mahabalipuram.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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