🙏🏼Girivalam Walk @Thirukkazhukundram Vedagiriswarar Temple| வேதகிரீஸ்வரர் கோயில் கிரிவலம்🙏🏼

Tirukazhukundram is known for the Vedagiriswarar temple complex, popularly known as kazhugu koil (eagle-temple). The temple consists of two structures, one at the foot-hill and the other on the hill's crest. The large hill-top temple (the main attraction) houses the deity Shiva, also known as Vedagiriswarar. The temple at the foot-hill is dedicated to his consort Parvati, known here as Thiripurasundari Amman. The temple at the foot-hills has four towers (gopurams), which closely resemble the architecture of the Annamalaiyar Temple.

The word "Thirukazhukundram" comes from the Tamil words thiru (respectful), kazhugu (vulture/eagle), and kundram (mount). It was known as "Thirukazhugukundram" in ancient times, which later culminated into "Thirukazhukundram". The town is also known as "Pakshi-theertham" (Pakshi- bird; Theertham- holy lake) because of a pair of birds (most likely Egyptian vultures) that are believed to have visited the site for centuries. These birds are traditionally fed by the temple priests and arrive before noon to feed on offerings made from rice, wheat, ghee and sugar. Although punctual, the failure of the birds to turn up was attributed to the presence of "sinners" among the onlookers.[1][2] Legend has it the vultures (or "eagles") represent eight sages who were punished by Shiva with two of them leaving in each of a series of epochs.[3][4][5] It has also been known as Uruthrakodi, Nandipuri, Indrapuri, Narayanapuri, Brahmapuri, Dinakarapuri, and Muniganapuri in the past. There are many inscriptions in the temple.[6]

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#Thirukazhukundram
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#SacredWalk
#HinduPilgrimage
#SpiritualJourney

#TamilNaduTemples
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#TamilNaduTemples
#RitualWalk
#BarefootPilgrimage
#IndianTradition
#TempleTourIndia
#SouthIndiaTravel