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Saturday, October 10, 2015

Vedagiriswarar Temple, Thirukalukundram, Chengalpattu

Vedagiriswarar Temple, Thirukalukundram, Chengalpattu
Vedagiriswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirukazhukundram, an outskirt of Chennai City in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. Thirukalukundram is one of the most famous pilgrim centers in Tamilnadu, renowned for its Hill Temple and Sangu Theertham. The Temple is famously called as Pakshi Theertham and the Kailash of South India. Vedagiriswarar Temple Complex is popularly known as Kazhugu Koil (Eagle Temple).



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. The Hill Temple, also called as Malai Koil houses Vedagiriswarar and Mother Sokka Nayagi.




The two sacred eagles appearing over the temple to worship the Lord every day are a major attraction for the devotees. Legend also says that the birds will not come if there are sinners in the crowd which assembles at the temple. Till 1998, the mystical bird pair used to appear every day at noon at Thirukazhukundram. But one day they stopped coming and they simply vanished. This temple is administrated by The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tamilnadu.




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, is dedicated to them is located nearby. This Shiva Sthalam is the 28th Devaram Paadal Petra Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. It is also considered as Thiruvasaga Sthalam. Saint Arunagirinathar had praised Lord Murugan of this Temple in his Thirupugazh Hymns.




Legends
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The Temple
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Theerthams
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Temple Opening Time
·        Malaikovil: 09.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
·        Thazha Kovil:  6.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm.
Pooja Timings
Kaala Shanthi Pooja
8.00 a.m.
Ucchi Kaala Pooja
11.30 a.m.
Sayarachai Pooja
5.30 p.m.
Arthajama Pooja
8.00 p.m.
Festivals
10-day Chithirai festival drawing huge devotee crowd in April-May, Aadi Pooram 10-day festival for Mother Ambika in July-August, Full moon days, New moon days, Pradosha days, Tamil & English New Year Days, Deepavali and Pongal are the festivals celebrated in the day. Special abishekam and aaradhanas are performed during these days. Next to Tiruvannamalai, Girivalam is observed by devotees here too on full moon days. Lakhs of people join the event. It is said that the Girivalam practice was in vogue in this temple even before it began in Tiruvannamalai. A great festival known as Sangu Theertha Pushkara Mela as great as the Kumbh Mela in north is celebrated here once in 12 years with one lakh deepams on the Jupiter transition day to Virgo sign. A conch is born in the Theertham once in 12 years. This miracle happens even now.
Literary Mention
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Prayers
Majority of the devotees throng the temple for mental peace and salvation. Those mentally retarded come and stay here for 48 days, bathe in the Sangu Theertham, pray to Lord Vedagiriswarar and return fully cured. This miracle is happening even now. Diseases of any intense nature as Asthma, blood pressure and heart are cured by prayers to Lord. They breathe the air with herbal effects and get cured. Devotees also come here seeking wedding, child boons too. Devotees perform abishek and aaradhanas to Lord and Mother and offer vastras. Prepare nivedhanas and distribute to visitors. They also undertake feeding Annadhanam and contribute to temple fund. It is noteworthy that the tank in the temple is one containing herbal properties. It is further believed that praying to Lord Vedagiriswarar for a period of 45 days will bless the couple with a child.
Contact
Vedagiriswarar Temple,
Thirukalukundram – 603 109
Chengalpattu District
Phone: +91 44 2744 7139 / 2744 7393
Mobile: +91 94447 10979 / 94428 11149
Mobile: +91 98945 07959 / 94432 47394
Connectivity
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