Thirukazhukundram Vedagiriswarar Temple - Hill Temple

Some of India’s temples are famous not only for their architectural brilliance, but also for certain inexplicable happenings with them. One among those temples is this Vedagiriswarar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. For several centuries, the temple is famous for hosting a remarkable pair of birds (vultures to be precise) that appear sharply every noon, the food offered by the priest of this temple. The days when they did not turn up will be considered unholy on account of the presence of sinners amongst the crowd. According to one version of the legend, these vultures were the sages who once displeased Lord Shiva that the latter cursed them to live as birds until the world lasts. Lord Shiva ordered them to visit his temple here to pray to him and receive prasad from the temple priests. For generations, the birds followed his order and appeared at the temple. It is a temple complex that has two temples. One is at the foot of the hill where Parvati is in the name ‘Thiripurasundari’ and the other one is at the top of the hill, where Lord Shiva resides. The temple can be added to the list with Kanchipuram.