About Thirukalukiundram

Tirukazhukundram (} is a panchayat town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is famous for the Vedagiriswarar temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.Tirukazhukundram's name is derived from kazhughu, meaning eagle. At one time, two eagles soared above the Shiva temple above the nearby hill every day at lunch time, and the priest at the temple gave them food as a ritual. According to legend, these eagles were not ordinary eagles, but two rishis whom a curse had transformed into birds. The legend also said that the eagles would stop coming to the temple during the Kali Yuga. The eagles have not been sighted in recent years, which is regarded as a sign that the Kali Yuga has begun. The prefix Tiru in Tirukalukundram means 'holy' or 'sacred' and is traditionally used in names of temple towns in all parts of Tamil Nadu.