Blissful Birth of Conch@Conch Theerth@Thirukkazhukundram

Thirukkazhukundram?hill has been blessed with two Lord Shiv Mandirs - one on top of the hill? Sri Vedhagiriswarar? Mandir? and another at the hill base- viz., Bhakthavatsaleswarar? Mandir.? This article has been written on this blissful day, 7th March, 2024,? when a conch has taken its holy birth at Sangu?Tank of this Mandir. No wonder conches use to appear in salt water but devotees world over consider birth of conch in mandir tank (potable water) once in twelve years - as a Punya and god-sent one.?

The tank associated with this Mandir is known as Sangu Theertham. Once in twelve years a Conch (Sangu in Tamil) appears from this holy tank. Rishi Markandeya was supposed to have performed penance near Sangu theertham and the Conchs were believed to be appearing once in 12 years from the time of Markandeya. The temple authorities collect all these with all honours and preserve in this Mandir.?? According to the Sthalapuranam, “Lord Shiv himself has declared that this tank is the holiest of all, and as per his command, all the sacred waters in India meet here once in 12 years when Guru (Jupiter) enters Kanya Rasi.” The event is conducted as a festival known as Sangu Theerth Pushkar Mela, for which there is a huge gathering from all parts of India. .

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The very name Thirukkazhukundram this sthal has been adorned with has a big legendary belief.? Two sages Sandan and Prasandan performed penance on Lord Shiv seeking Sharoopa status. Lord modified their demand and granted the Sayujya status and promised due elevation to Sharoopa later. The sages however refused to accept such offer and were adamant on their demand.? The Lord got angry and? cursed them to become eagles. Since then they are in this hill known as Sambu and Aadhi and are worshipping Lord with the Pakshi Theertha they had created for three yugas.??

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According to the legend the two birds fly every day from Varanasi on the Ganges to this mandir flying about two thousand miles, arriving at noon. They have noon meal and then fly to Rameshwaram. Again they then fly north up the coast to Chidambaram, go for nidhra, and again in the morning they fly north to Varanasi for a bath in The Ganges and then off back to Thirukkazhukundram, et al. It is believed that the feeding of the eagles is going on for thousands of years. King Suraguru, to whom Lord granted darshan was instrumental for the creation of this sacred place, says the history. Till 1998 , the mystical bird pair used to appear every day @noon at Thirukkazhukundram. But one day they stopped coming and they simply vanished. For the local people its a bad omen and attributed to the presence of “sinners” among the onlookers. For many years now, no mythical birds has visited the Mandir but the ritual is being practised by the priest in the hope that they eventually will turn up some day. Thus, this sthal is known as Thirukkazhukkuntram.

According to tradition, the four Vedas, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvan, are seen here in the shape of four boulders, placed one above the other, with Lord Shiv as Vedhagiriswar, emerging from the head of the fourth Veda, Atharvan. Hence the place gets the name Vedhagiri, where the presiding deity on the hilltop is Vedhagirishwar.? It is believed that the hill has innumerable medicinal herbs and plants and therefore the cool breeze is said to cure ailments. As the Vedas themselves exist as Hill - it is believed that undertaking circumambulation(or parikrama) of the Hill gives effect equivalent to worshipping the Vedas.?

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This holy place is? situated at around 72 kms from Chennai and 16 kms from Mahabalipuram. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is situated at a distance of around 30 kms from Thirukkazhukundram.