Moolavar: Sri Vedagiriswarar
Amman: Sri Sokka Nayagi Ambal
This Shiva Sthalam is the 28th Devaram Paadal Petra Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Vedagiriswarar, the Lord of the Hill Temple, has been praised in song and verse by the four great Tamil Saints; Thirugnana Sambandar, Appar, Sundaramurti and Manikkavasakar. These four Nayanmars have visited the temple complex. A shrine, Naalvar Koil, It is also considered as Thiruvasaga Sthalam. Saint Arunagirinathar had praised Lord Murugan of this Temple in his Thirupugazh Hymns.
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.
This temple consists of two structures, one at the foot hill and the other at the hill top. The Foot Hill Temple, also called as Thazha Koil houses the presiding Bhaktavachaleswarar and Mother Thirupurasundari. The temple at the foot-hills has four towers (gopurams) closely resembling the architecture of the Annamalaiyar Temple. It was in Bhaktavachaleswarar Temple that Lord Siva appeared before the Tamil saint Manikkavasakar, in the form of Dakshinamurthy, and initiated him into the secrets of the holy Panchakshara.
The Hill Temple, also called as Malai Koil houses Vedagiriswarar and Mother Sokka Nayagi.
According to a legend, sage Pusha and sage Vidhadha 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 they are the two eagles that visit Thirukazhukundram daily from time immemorial, in order to worship Siva and to obtain salvation from their curse. To attain moksha and regain their original forms, they have to worship the deity of this temple till the end of Kaliyuga. While these sacred Eagles were known as Sandan and Prasandan in Thretha Yuga, Sambathi and Jatayu in Krutha Yuga, Sambhukthan and Mukundan in Dwapara Yuga, in Kali Yuga they are now known as Pusha and Vidhadha.
It is said that after a bath in the Ganges in the morning, they come here at noon for food, reach Rameswaram in the evening for darshan and return to Chidambaram for the night. The eagles circle around the temple top and approach the priest. They eat the balls of rice and after cleaning their beaks in the water kept in a small vessel nearby, take off, circle around the tower again and fly off. This has been going on for centuries now. The scene is also sculpted on one of the walls in front of Goddess Thirupurasundari, in the lower temple.
The hillock is named as Vedagiri, since it is traditionally believed that the four (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana) Vedas are seen one above the other in the form of four rocks. Lord Shiva is believed to be emerging from the head of the fourth (Atharvana) Veda and said to have derived the name Vedagiriswarar (a Swayambhu lingam), When Sri Anjaneya took the Sanjeevi Parvatha from Himalayas, some parts of Mountain fell over this mountain. Hence even today rare herbals are available here.
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.
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