A Familly Trip to the Family Deity, Thirukazhukundram

I have been unwell and still recovering from an allergic flu that's been making its rounds in the city. In the midst of my recovery, my aunt and uncle along with my nephew made a plan to visit their family deity, which they incidentally found out through their family priest. I was not planning to join the group for the early morning jaunt for lack of sleep, but divine calling had other plans for me - I managed to get a great night's sleep and was all set to go with the group for our first ever visit to the much talked about 1300 year-old Shiva shrine. My grand aunt was instrumental in getting us all together.

Chennai is quite pleasant at this time of the year. The hour's morning drive was beautiful on the East Coast Road, 70 kms from Chennai and 15 kms from Mahabalipuram. 

Thiru means Respectfully, Kazhugu means Eagles, Kundram means mount - the temple lore has it that the sages were punished by Lord Shiva and they visited the temple as eagles for salvation. It is also known as Pakshi Theertam (Holy Birds Tank) and is visited by pilgrims all over the world. The main deity is Vedhagirishwarar on the hill and his consort Thripurasundari, at the base of the hill. There is a Shiva shrine at the base for those who cannot make the steep climb of over 500 steps one-way. When you make your way back down, you will be advised to take a left near the drinking water area, so you actually do a giri-valam (going around the base of the hill in worship, similar to Thiruvannamalai). The Pallava architecture is indicated by the Gajaprushtam (Gaja-elephant; prushtam-backside) style, where the temple sanctum resembles the backside of an elephant. It is also believed that the four vedas, the Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva vedas are stacked on top of each other in the form of boulders, hence the name Vedagiri (veda-scriptures, guru-hill) and the presiding deity, Vedagirishwarar.

The temple has also been sung in high praises by saints Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, and Manickavasagarar. Every 12 years, all the sacred rivers flow here into the temple tank, when the conch is created and Guru (Jupiter) enters Kanni rasi. This is one of the largest festivals celebrated at the temple called the Thirtha Pushkara Mela. 

The hill is surrounded by medicinal plants and herbs and is believed to cure one of ailments. Along the way, there are many beautiful view points to enjoy the scenery from the hilltop.

It was an enjoyable trip with a lot of adventure, battling the monkeys along the way. So a word of caution to my fellow travellers, hide water bottles and food because these guys will not think twice before they snatch it from your hands.