Vedagiriswarar Temple, Thirukazhukundram

Vedagiriswarar Temple at Tirukalukundram, also written Thirukazhukundram, is a Shiva temple complex popularly called Kazhugu Koil, the eagle temple. It is on State Highway 58, about 70 km from Chennai and 15 km each from Mahabalipuram and Chengalpattu. The complex is in two parts: the main shrine to Shiva as Vedagiriswarar on the crest of the hill, and a temple at the foot of the hill to his consort Thiripurasundari Amman, with four gopurams resembling those of the Annamalaiyar Temple.

The town's name joins Tamil words for holy, eagle and mount. Two birds, probably Egyptian vultures, are believed to have come here for centuries before noon to eat offerings of rice, wheat, ghee and sugar from the priests; legend makes them sages punished by Shiva. The hill itself is believed to be made of three mountains that Shiva raised to stand for the Vedas, in a legend of the sage Bharadwaja. The Naalvar poet-saints all sang of the deity, and a shrine, Nalvar Koil, honours them.