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THIRUKAZHUKUNDRAM

— A Town of Rich History —

Vedagireeswarar Hill Temple Main Entrance

Arulmigu Vedagireeswarar Temple

"Where silence becomes sacred, and every stone sings the name of Shiva."

The Temple & Its Glory

Vedagireeswarar Temple Sacred Hill Shrine

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva in the form of Lord Vedagiriswarar. Here Lord Shiva is in the form of a Swayambhu Lingam and it is located on a hilltop. The Moolavar is Vedagiriswarar and Ambal is Sokkanayaki. The theertham is Changu Theertham and the sthala vriksham is kadali (plantain) tree.

Several Saivaite saints and poets such as Appar, Sundarar, Manickavaasagar, Pattinathaar, Arunagirinathar, Tiruporur Chidambaram Swaamigal, Andagakavi Veeraraga Mudaliar, Ramalinga Adigalar, Ramanathapuram Somasundaram Pillai, Kanchipuram Mahavidwan Sabapathi Mudaliar have sung the praise of this sthalam.

Vedagiriswarar was worshipped by Indra, Thillothama (a dancer in Indra's court), Garuda (mount of Vishnu), Ashtavasus and many Rudras. He has been praised in the songs and verses of the four great Tamil saints Appar, Sambandar, Sundaramurthi and Manickavasagar.

The inner walls of the sanctum contain many images, all carved out of the rock surrounding the presiding deity. In the enclosure around the sanctum, are the shrines of Goddess Sokkanayaki and Vinayaka (in a dancing pose).

Vedagiri - The Mountain of Vedas

"Vedagiri" — Veda (four vedas: Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharvana) + Giri (Mountain). This town derives its name from the temple, namely "Vedagireeswarar" that resides in it.

Sage Bharadwaja prayed to 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 not be the route for Salvation."

Shiva also said that in Kaliyuga, 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 mythical mountains signifying Vedas created by Shiva himself. The name Vedagiriswarar means "the Lord of the Vedic Mountains" in Sanskrit.

According to tradition, the four Vedas - Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana - are seen here in the shape of four boulders, placed one above the other, with Lord Shiva as Vedagiriswarar emerging from the head of the fourth Veda, Atharvana. Hence the place gets the name Vedagiri.

Divine Architecture

Vedagireeswarar Temple Dravidian Architecture

The total area covering the temple and hill is over 265 acres and 500 feet high, and the hilltop can be reached by ascending 562 well-laid stone slabs. The journey is both physical and spiritual, symbolizing one's ascent towards enlightenment.

On the way there are small mandapams, for pilgrims to rest. The steps and the walls on the sides have been built from donations. For the infirm and the aged, dholis carried by two persons are available at nominal charges.

The sanctum houses the self-manifested lingam of Lord Shiva, surrounded by shrines for Vinayagar, Murugan, and the Saptha Matrikas. The temple architecture reflects ancient Dravidian brilliance with intricate stone carvings and sacred geometry.

Sacred Traditions & Divine Miracles

Worship Place of Lord Indra

It is believed that Lord Indra 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.

Girivalam (Circumambulation of Foothill)

Next to Thiruvannamalai, Girivalam is observed by devotees here too on full moon days and Tuesdays. Lakhs of people join the event.

It is said that the Girivalam practice was in vogue in this temple even before it began in Thiruvannamalai. It is further believed that praying to Lord Vedagireeswarar for a period of 45 days will bless the couple with a child.

The Sacred Eagles of Thirukazhukundram

The name "Thirukazhukundram" originates from the legend of two divine eagles who visit the temple daily to receive offerings. These sacred birds are said to be sages who were cursed to be reborn as eagles until they were freed by Lord Shiva's grace.

This miracle drew pilgrims for centuries and made this temple one of Tamil Nadu's most spiritually significant shrines.

Sacred Eagles at Vedagireeswarar Temple

Temple Timings

09:30 A.M – 12:30 P.M
04:30 P.M – 07:30 P.M

*Timings may vary during festivals and special poojas