Vedagireeswarar Temple, Tirukkazhukundram
| Location of the temple | Tirukkazhukundram |
| Lord Shiva known as | Vedagireeswarar |
| Female deity known as | Thiripurasundhari |
| Pathigam | Thirunavukarasar, Sambandar, Sundarar |
| How to reach | This temple is located 10 Kms west of Mahabalipuram and 14 Kms. from Chengalpattu on the Chengalpattu – Mahabalipuram road. |
| Temple address | Arulmighu Vedagireeswarar Temple Tirukkazhukundram Tirukkazhukundram Post Tirukkazhukundram Taluk Kancheepuram District PIN 603109 |
Map courtesy by: Yahoo Maps
Tirukkazhukundram, also known as Dakshina Kailasam, is one of the most celebrated Paadal Petra Sthalam in Tamilnadu. Pilgrims and tourists from all parts of India and abroad, pouring into Mahabalipuram in thousands, to see and enjoy the Pallava architecture, also make it point to pay a visit to Tirukkazhukundram. The two sacred eagles appearing over the temple to worship the Lord Shiva everyday area major attractions to all the visitors. they come down to a rock where sweet rice is officered as food. To watch these eagles taking the food is a rare experience.
According to legend, the four Vedas, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana, are seen here in the shape of four boulders, placed one above the other with Lord Shiva as Vedagiriswarar, emerging from the head of the 4th Veda, Atharvana. Hence the place gets the name Vedagiri where the presiding male deity on the hilltop is Vedagiriswarar.
The hill covering an area of 265 acres is 500 feet high and the hilltop can be reached by well-laid stone slabs. The central shrine of Vedagiriswarar is seen built of three large boulders, constituting the 3 walls of the sanctum sanctorum. The main deity is a Swaymbu Lingam. In the enclosure around the sanctum sanctorum, are the shrines for Sokkanayagi and for Vinayakar (in a dancing posture).
At the foot of the hill and in the centre of the town is the temple for Bhaktavatsaleswarar. This temple has 4 gopurams (towers), the tallest with 9 tiers is on the south side and the other 3 with 7 tiers. There is a huge Nandi facing Vedagiriswarar on the hilltop. The absence of a Nandi on the hilltop in front of the presiding deity Vedagiriswarar is a unique feature. The main mandapam that fringes the inner gopuram contains a fine sculptural representation of Agora Veerabadrar (Siva in a ferocious form), of 7 feet high.