அருள்மிகு வேதகிரீஸ்வரர் கோயில்
Shiva (Vedagiriswarar) temple · Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
Vedagiriswarar Temple is a Hindu temple to Shiva on the hillock at Thirukazhukundram in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. The Times of India describes it as the famous hillock temple of the town, drawing over 5,000 visitors a day. Dinamalar notes that 565 steps lead to the hill shrine.
Faith & Tradition
The town's name comes from 'kazhugu' (eagle) and 'kundram' (hill); by tradition two eagles visited the temple daily to receive offerings of rice. The four hills are said to represent the four Vedas, and the deity is a swayambhu linga (Dinamalar; The Hindu). Saints including Sundarar, Manickavasagar and Arunagirinathar are associated with the shrine (Dinamalar).
The temple's annual ten-day Chithirai Thiruvizha draws tens of thousands of devotees; on Chithra Pournami thousands walk the 4-km girivalam path around the hills, and five chariots carrying Ganesha, Murugan, Thripurasundari Amman, Bhaktavatsaleswarar and Chandikeswarar are drawn on the seventh day (The Hindu).
Heritage
Dinamalar records the Pushkara Mela, a festival held once in 12 years, and the belief that a conch appears in the temple's Sangu Theertham once in 12 years.
In 2023 the HR&CE Department recovered a century-old building endowed in 1906 by Rajagopala Chettiyar to fund the feeding of devotees during the temple's Brahmotsavam (The Hindu). A new chariot for Chandikeswarar, replacing one destroyed in 1986, was used in the 2025 festival (The Hindu).
Hill shrine reached by 565 steps (Dinamalar).
Plan Your Visit
The climb is steep; girivalam is done at night on Chithra Pournami. Confirm timings locally.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department before travelling. Last reviewed 6 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Ten-day festival with chariots and the 4-km girivalam (The Hindu).
Recorded by Dinamalar.
Location
Thirukazhukundram is in Chengalpattu district, on the Kalpakkam–Thirukazhukundram road (Times of India).
Location: Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (Vedagiriswarar) temples
Questions
On the hillock at Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu.
565 steps, according to Dinamalar.
'Kazhugu' means eagle and 'kundram' hill; eagles traditionally visited the temple daily.
A 4-km walk around the hills on Chithra Pournami night.
The Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department.
Further reading: Vedagiriswarar Temple, Thirukazhukundram on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Write to info@hindutone.com — see our editorial policy.
Pilgrim Circuit
