Arulmigu Sri Vedhagiriswarar Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 20:30

Established

6

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Ancient Swayambhu Shiva Lingam situated inside the hilltop sanctum perched atop the sacred four-Veda mountain

Religious tradition

Vedic Shaiva Agamic Tradition & Legend of the Sacred Kites (Pakshi Theertham)

Sanskrit name

श्री वेदगिरीश्वरस्वामी मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Pakshi Theertham Temple, Tirukazhukundram Hill Temple, Eagle Temple of Tamil Nadu, Bhaktavatsaleswarar Temple

Darshan hours

Daily

06:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Break timings

12:00PM -04:00PM

Special days

Extended during festivities

Festival timings

Open continuously till 11:00 PM on Maha Shivaratri and festival days

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

07:30 AM

Midday aarti

11:15 AM

Evening aarti

06:30 PM

Night aarti

8:15 PM

Special aarti days

Mondays, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Chithirai Pournami

Ritual schedule

Nitya Chatukkala Puja, Rudrabhisheka, Pakshi Theertha Prasad offering, Giri Pradakshina (hill circumambulation), Sandhya Deeparadhana

Pooja timings

06:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Abhishek timings

07:00 AM - 08:30 AM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

No

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Pallava King Mahendravarman I (rock-cut cave); expanded by Chola kings (Parantaka I, Rajendra I) and Vijayanagara Emperors

Architect / builder

Master traditional Pallava and Chola stone guilds

Construction materials

Solid dressed grey granite blocks, rock-cut monoliths, and brick-lime gopurams

Historical events

Celebrated in Thevaram hymns by all four primary Saiva Samaya Acharyas (Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar, Manikkavacakar); famous 12-year miraculous conch emergence in Sangu Theertham

Renovations

Protected and renovated under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department with new hill flight steps, solar lighting, and pilgrim amenities

Archaeological importance

Pallava rock-cut cave (Orukkal Mandapa) is a centrally protected monument of national importance under ASI

Legends

Two rishis, Pusha and Vidhata, cursed by Lord Shiva to become eagles, obtained redemption by visiting Kasi in the morning, taking lunch at Tirukazhukundram, and resting at Rameswaram

Inscriptions

More than 50 stone inscriptions in Tamil dating from Pallava, Chola, Rashtrakuta (Krishna III), and Vijayanagara rulers recording tax-free village grants

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

7th Century Pallava Cave with 10th - 16th Century structural expansions

Structure

Dual temple complex comprising the ancient hilltop Vedagiriswarar shrine reached by 565 stone steps and the colossal foothill Bhaktavatsaleswarar temple complex spanning 10 acres

Floors

2

Gopuram

Four soaring nine-tiered Rajagopurams guarding the cardinal directions of the foothill complex, with the tallest rising 150 feet

Mandapa

Grand 100-pillared and 1000-pillared mandapas at the base temple with intricately carved musical and yali pillars

Sculptural features

Ancient Swayambhu Shiva Lingam on hilltop; Orukkal Mandapam monolithic cave sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; exquisite Somaskanda bronzes

Artistic elements

Intricately pierced stone lattice jali windows, monolithic stone chains, and embossed silver sanctum frames

Construction technique

Interlocking monolithic granite block masonry engineered atop a sheer 500-foot granite mountain

Unique features

The miraculous "Sangu Theertham" lake where a sacred white conch (Sangu) miraculously manifests once every 12 years, collected and preserved in the temple museum

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Chithirai month (April/May Brahmotsavam), Magha Bahula Chaturdashi (Shivaratri)

Special celebration days

Every Monday, Pradosham, Full Moon day (Pournami for Giri Pradakshina)

Cultural events

Classical music concerts, Nadaswaram, and all-night Vedic chanting during Shivaratri and Brahmotsavam

Annual events

Vedagiriswarar Maha Rathotsavam and Giri Pradakshina drawing over 200,000 devotees

Peak crowd season

October to February and during Pournami (Full Moon) nights for Giri Valam

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

100+ Vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.