Sangu Theertham,
Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu
Sangu Theertham is situated in
Thirukazhukundram Town. Sangu Theertham is the most renowned holy tank. It is
said that, a conch emerges from this Theertham once in 12 years. Sangu
Theertham is associated with the Thirukazhukundram Vedagiriswarar Temple.
Legends
Unique phenomenon of birth of Conch:
It is believed that Saint
Markandeya, came down here after visiting Benares. He wished to have a bath in
the sacred tank and perform abhishekam to the Siva lingam here, but he found no
vessel to take the water. Just then a conch suddenly emerged from the tank,
with a humming sound, and Markandeya performed the abhishekam. It is said that
even now once in 12 years, a conch emerges from this water, which the temple
authorities collect with all honors and preserve in the temple in an enclosed
glass box with dates mentioned therein. It is astonishing that a conch gets
formed in fresh water since the natural phenomenon of a birth of a conch can
happen only in salt water. Abhishekam is performed to Lord Vedagiriswarar
with the collected conches on the last Monday in the Tamil month of Karthigai.
Sangu Theertha Pushkara Mela:
According to
the Sthalapuranam, Lord Siva himself has declared that this tank is the
holiest of all, and as per his command, all the sacred waters in India meet
here once in 12 years when Guru (Jupiter) enters Kanya Rasi (Virgo). The
event is conducted as a festival called Sangu Thirtha Pushkara Mela, when there
is a huge gathering from all parts of the country. This being the second
biggest bathing festival in the South, next to the Maha Maham.
There is an interesting story
prevalent with respect to the origination of Sangu Theertha Pushkara Mela
festival. There occurred a tussle of proving supremacy amongst various rivers
such as Ambai, Indraputra, Rudra, Cauvery, Pamba, Yamuna, Thamirabarani,
Vaigai, to name a few. Each one touted itself to be the best. The rivers then
decided to worship Lord Vedagiriswarar by taking bath in the Sangu Theertham.
The Lord appeared before the
rivers and told them that none of them was superior before the conch that
appeared in the tank, which was used to perform abhishekam to Lord. The rivers
felt ashamed about their mean fight and then decided to take bath in the Sangu
Theertham during the day of transition of Jupiter into Virgo rasi.
Theertham
It is an extensive tank of 1,000
square yards area, with wide steps on all sides. It is said that even now once
in 12 years, a conch emerges from this water, which the temple authorities
collect with all honours and preserve in the temple. There is a collection of
about 1,000 conches in this temple, with which, abhishekam is performed to Lord
Vedagiriswarar on the last Monday in the Tamil month of Karthigai.
The first conch is believed to
be of the age of Sage Markandeya. For rest, the dates are mentioned in the
picture. Water from this Theertham is taken for the Abishekam of the deities.
It has been demonstrated that the water in the tank contains mineral properties
capable of curing diseases if taken for a long period.
Festivals
Sangu Thirtha Pushkara Mela is
celebrated here once in 12 years when Guru (Jupiter) enters Kanya Rasi (Virgo).
This festival is being the second biggest bathing festival in the South, next
to the Maha Maham. It is during Sangu Theertha Pushkara mela, Laksha Deepam
festival will be celebrated, wherein lakhs of deepams will be lit along the
steps of the Sangu Theertham, streets, houses and temples, lighting up the
whole town.
Connectivity
For brief details, please
refer below link;
Location