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Lord Sri Vedagiriswarar resides at the top of Hills. The four Hills - nothing but a grouping of the Four Vedas - requested the Lord to be present on the top. This is the traditional description of the Lord of the hills. And so he is called Vedagiriswarar. This Lord has been workshipped by Indra, Thilothamai, a dancer of Indra's court. Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, Ashtavasus and many more Rudras.

A unique Phenomenon takes place at Thirukalukundram everyday. At noon, two eagles appear over the temple to workship the Lord. Then they come down to a rock where sweet rice is offered. To watch these eagles taking the food is a rare experience.

And thousands of people from all over the country visit this place to witness this miracle.

These sacred Eagles are believed to be sons of Lord Brahma, who for their sins were cursed by Lord Shiva to be born on Earth as Eagles.

To Attain "Moksha" and regain their original forms, they have to workship the deity of this temple till the end of Kailyuga.

While these sacred Eagles were known as Sandan & Prasandan in Thretha Yuga,

Sambathi & Jadayu in Krutha Yuga,

Sambhukthan & Mukundan in Dhawapara Yuga,

In Kali Yuga they are now known as Pusha & Vidhadha.

The annexe to the temple is called theBakthavatchalaeswarar Temple. Situated in an area of ten acres, this temple is surrounded by many Theerthams. Four colossal gopurams adorn this temple. There is also a special shrine for Goddess Thirupursundari Amman.

Other praise worthy features are the exquisite sculpture and architecture of the temple. The magnificently sized compound wall and curved mandapams also lend personality to the peerless beauty of the temple.

It is believed that Indira is still worshipping Lord in this temple. As an evidence of this fact, thunder falls through a hole in the tower above the sanctum sanctorum (Vimana) and goes around the Shivalinga. Unbearable heat is experienced while opening the sanctum next day. This happens once in a few years. Scientists had proved that such an incident took place on the 10th November, 1930.

Kazhugu in Tamil means eagle and kundram the hill, hence the name of the place Tiru Kazhu Kundram. Even today two eagles visit the temple every day to accept the rice offered to them. This is the place where Saint Sundarar got gold from Lord. Vedas are in the form of this hill. Crores of Rudras and Siddhas performed penance and attained salvation here. The environment is so suitable for those to do meditation peacefully. The glory of the place and Lord of the temple are praised by saivite saints, Pattinathar and great poets. Lord granted darshan to Saivite Saint Manickavasagar in this place. Devotional poet Arunagiriar describes the place as the one equal to Amaravathi the capital of Indira. King Suraguru had Lord?s darshan. Sage Markandeya blessed by Lord of Kasi (now Varanasi) came to this place and performed abishek to Lord when a conch appeared in the abishek water. This theertha praised as Markandeya theertha produces a conch even now once in 12 years. There are 12 theerthas-sacred springs-around the hill named 1) Indira, 2) Shambu, 3) Rudra, 4) Vasishta, 5) Meignana-true wisdom. 6) Agasthya, 7) Markandeya, 8) Kausika, 9) Nandhi, 10) Varuna, 11) Akalika and 12) Pakshi theerthas.

Two sages Poosha and Vruddha performed penance on Lord Shiva seeking Sharoopa status. Lord modified their demand and granted the Sayujya status and promised elevation to Sharoopa later. The sages refused to accept the offer and were adamant on their demand. Angry Lord cursed them to become eagles. Since then they are in this hill known as Shambu and Aadhi and are worshipping Lord with the Pakshi Theertha they had created. It is believed that these eagles use to bathe in Rameswaram, eat in Kazhukundram andstay at Kasi each day. The feeding of the eagles is going on for thousands of years, it is believed. King Suraguru, to whom Lord granted darshan was instrumental for the creation of this sacred place, says the history.

God: Tirumalaiyaludaiyar, Vedagireeswarar

Goddess: Tirumalai Chokkanayaki, Tripurasundari

Vriksham:Vaazhai

Theertham:Pakshi Theertham

Patikam : Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar

This Shivastalam located near Mahabalipuram is a well visited group of 2 temples with grand towers & walls. Tirukkalunkunram is very well known and revered, and it is of great historical and religious significance. Bhaktavatsalar is the presiding deity of ground temple while Vedagireeswarar adorns the hill temple. This is the 28th of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India.

Thirukalukundram is one of the most famous pilgrim centres in Tamilnadu, renowes for its Hill Temple at Sangu Theertham. It is named after the sacred Eagles who visit every noon at the Hill Temple calledPakshi Theertham and the Kaliash of South India.

Sri Vedagiriswarar, the Lord of the Hill Temple, has been prasied in song and verse by the four great tamil Saints - Thirugnana Sambandhar, Thirunavukarasar, Sundaramurthi Swamigal and Manickavasakar. Other saints who have immortalised the magnanimity of the presiding deity in marvellous verse are Pattinathar, Sri Arunagirinathar, Sri Ramalinga Vallalar, Chidhambara Swamigal and Anthagakavi Veeraragava Mudaliar.

The temple occupies an area of about 12 acres, and the hill temple can be reached by a flight of 500 steps. There are several shrines to Vinayakar here.The Sanga theertham is of great significance & a Pushkaram is celebrated once in 12 years, when Jupiter enters Virgo. There are several fine mandapams dating back to the Pallava period, as well as gopurams from later periods. There are 12 theerthams, several colorful festivals and traditions here.

Four worship services are performed each day. It is believed that a conch shell appears once in 12 years in the temple tank. It is also believed that Indra worships at the hill temple, in the form of lightning.

The annual festival is celebrated in the month of Chittirai.

The Pushkaram festival is celebrated once in 12 years in the Sanga Theertham.

Do:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.