Temples of Tamilnadu - 22 - Rasi Temples - Part 1 - Kanni

Sri Vedagireeswarar temple, Thirukazhukundram

Rasi  : Kanni

Temple Timings  : 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.  4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m

Phone         : 91 27222084 27221739

Location : 71 kms from chennai 17 kms from Mahabalipuram

Nearest town         : Chinglepet 13 kms

Important days : Star day 

Thirukalukundram a famous hill temple and sangu theertham named after the sacred Eagles who visit every noon at the Hill Temple called Pakshi Theertham. It is also known as the Kaliash of South India. The temple is more than 1500 years old temple. This Temple is considered (virgo)- Kanni Parihara Sthalam. Special Puja is performed to Swamy, Ambal for the persons born in Kanni/ Kanya Rasi or Lagnam. One has to climb 565 steps up the mountain to go to temple.

Lord Sri Vedagiriswarar resides at the top of combination of four Hills - essentially a grouping of the Four Vedas – who requested the Lord to be present on the top and hence called Vedagiriswarar. He has been workshipped by Indra, Thilothamai, a dancer of Indra's court. Garuda, Ashtavasus and many more sacred souls.

Here there is an unique and rare phenomenon of  two eagles appear over the temple during noon to worship the Lord. Then and come down to a rock to accept the sweet rice that is offered. It is believed that the eagles are sons of Brahma who were cursed by Lord Shiva to be born on earth

For redemption from curse they have to workship the deity till the end of Kailyuga. Goind by different names in various yugas they, in Kali Yuga, are known as Pusha & Vidhadha.

The ten acre Bakthavatchalaeswarar Temple with four majestic gopurams, architecture, Mandapams and huge compound wall situated near by is surrounded by many Theerthams. Goddess Thirupursundari Amman has a separate shrine

The belief that Indira still worships Lord in this temple is further strengthened by that fact that thunder falls through a hole in the tower above the sanctum sanctorum (Vimana) and goes around the Shivalinga. The sanctum experiences scorching heat.  This happens rarely and it happened last time on the 10th November, 1930.

Sage Markandeya performed pooja to Lord when a conch appeared in the abishekham water. The theertha is praised as Markandeya theertha and it produces a conch even now once in 12 years. The 12 theerthas-sacred springs-around the hill are 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 but was  granted the Sayujya status with the promise of elevation later. When the sages adamantly refused Lord cursed them to become eagles. Since then they are in this hill known as Shambu and Aadhi and they worship the Lord with the Pakshi Theertha they had created. It is a belief that these eagles use bathe in Rameswaram, eat in Kazhukundram and stay at Kasi each day. King Suraguru, who had the darshan of the Lord, created this sacred place.