https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=TirukalukundramTirukalukundram - Revision history2026-09-07T18:48:06ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tirukalukundram&diff=143710&oldid=prev106.198.88.70: /* Location */2020-09-10T09:29:12Z<p><span class="autocomment">Location</span></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}<br />
{{Infobox settlement<br />
| name = Tirukazhukundram<br />
| other_name = <br />
| nickname = <br />
| settlement_type = [[panchayat town]]<br />
| image_skyline = <br />
| image_alt = <br />
| image_caption = <br />
| pushpin_map = <!--India Tamil Nadu--><br />
| pushpin_label_position = <br />
| pushpin_map_alt = <br />
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu, India<br />
| coordinates = <br />
| subdivision_type = Country<br />
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}<br />
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]<br />
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tamil Nadu]]<br />
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]<br />
| subdivision_name2 = [[Chengalpattu district|Chengalpattu]]<br />
| established_title = <!-- Established --><br />
| established_date = <br />
| founder = <br />
| named_for = <br />
| government_type = <br />
| governing_body = <br />
| unit_pref = Metric<br />
| area_footnotes = <br />
| area_rank = <br />
| area_total_km2 = <br />
| elevation_footnotes = <br />
| elevation_m = <br />
| population_total = 23677<br />
| population_as_of = 2001<br />
| population_rank = <br />
| population_density_km2 = auto<br />
| population_demonym = <br />
| population_footnotes = <br />
| demographics_type1 = Languages<br />
| demographics1_title1 = Official<br />
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]<br />
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]<br />
| utc_offset1 = +5:30<br />
| postal_code_type = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] --><br />
| postal_code = 603109<br />
| registration_plate = TN-19<br />
| website = <br />
| footnotes = <br />
}}<br />
'''Tirukazhukundram''' is a [[panchayat town]] and Taluk head of [[Tirukalukundram taluk]] in [[Chengalpattu district]] in the [[India|Indian]] [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. It is famous for the [[Vedagiriswarar temple,Thirukazhukundram|Vedagiriswarar temple]], a [[Hindu]] temple dedicated to Lord [[Shiva]].<br />
==History==<br />
Tirukazhukundram's name is derived from ''kazhughu'', meaning eagle. At one time, two eagles soared above this Shiva hilltop temple 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.<br />
<br />
There is no Nandi on this hilltop temple of lord Shiva as it is believed that Nandi refused to step on this hill as it considered the whole of this hill as lord Shiva himself, hence stayed back on the ground level by the foothills.<br />
<br />
The prefix ''Tiru'' in Tirukazukundram means 'holy' or 'sacred' and is traditionally used in names of temple towns in all parts of Tamil Nadu.<br />
<br />
==Demographics==<br />
In the 2011 India [[census]], Tirukalukundram had a population of 29,391.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A4.html|title=Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=2019-06-29}}</ref> Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Tirukalukundram has an average literacy rate of 72%, lower than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 65%. In Tirukalukundram, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.<br />
<br />
[[File:Tirukalukundram3.jpg|center|600px|thumb|Tirukalukundram view]]<br />
<br />
There are about 565 steps to reach this hilltop temple.<br />
<br />
The picture above is another ( big ) Shiva temple by name 'Shri Tirupura Sundari' on the ground level.<br />
<br />
==Location==<br />
Thirukazhukundram is located on State Highway 58 between [[Chennai]] and [[Thiruttani]], {{convert|70|km}} from Chennai and {{convert|15|km}} from the tourist town of [[Mahabalipuram]]. It lies {{convert|10|km}} from [[Old Mahabalipuram Road]], {{convert|10|km}} from [[East Coast Road]], and {{convert|15|km}} from [[GST road]].<br />
<br />
{{Geographic Location<br />
|title = Destinations from '''Thirukazhukundram'''<br />
|Northwest = [[Chengalpattu]] - 14 km<br />
|Centre = Thirukazhukundram<br />
|East = [[Mahabalipuram]] - 15 km<br />
|Southeast = [[Kalpakkam]] - 18 km<br />
|Southwest = [[Madurantakam]] - 21 km<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{wide image|Tirukalukundram Panorama.jpg|2800px|Panorama of Tirukalukundram village showing temple complex and water tanks.}}<br />
<br />
==Cultural references==<br />
In the Tamil science fiction thriller film ''[[2.0 (film)|2.0]]'' (2018), the story partially takes place in Thirukazhukundram.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{commons category|Thirukazhukundram}}<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{coord|12|36|24|N|80|03|45|E|source:kolossus-itwiki|display=title}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Cities and towns in Chengalpattu district]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{Kanchipuram-geo-stub}}</div>106.198.88.70