Vedagirisevara Hill at Tirukkalukkunram

Name : Vedagirisevara Temple & Orukal Brahma Temple

Location : Tirukkalukkunram, Tamilnadu

Lord Brahma at Tirukkalukkunram :



From the time of King Mahendravarman I through the next century, there were quite a number of rock-cut temples constructed in South India. One of these, the Orukal Temple at Tirukkalukkunram, is the subject of today's segment. The Orukal mandapam is located on the east side of the Vedagirisevara Hill at Tirukkalukkunram, in Chingleput district of Tamil Nadu. Tirukkalukkunram is 16 km. from Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram). The area is surrounded by a cluster of four hills, believed to represent the four Vedas. The fourth of these holy hills, Atharvana, is best known for the prominent temple that sits atop it -- Vedagirisvara Temple. Further down the slope of that hill, King Mahendravaram excavated another temple from the hillside, and a standing deity of Lord Brahma resides there. On the rear wall, to the left of the sanctum are the bas-relief sculptures of Brahma and, to the right, Visnu.

Description :
Vedagirisevara Hill at Tirukkalukkunram draws thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, who come to visit the various shrines on the hill. The total area on the hill is some 265 acres, and the top is 500 feet above ground level. Devotees clamber up 562 stone slab stairs as they ascend to Vedagirisevara Temple. Along with the Orukal rock-cut temple, there are several other small mandapams along the path.

Before ascending the steps, devotees offer their respects to Siddharti Vinayaka (Ganapati) and Ayyappa at the foot of the hill. In the main Vedagirisevara Temple at the top of the hill, the presiding deity is Vedagirishwarar, a swayambu Lingam enshrined in a niche carved from three large boulders. Descending a few steps down on the other side of the hill, a monolithic cave-temple is seen. This mandapam is full of rare sculptures belonging to the Mamalla period (A.D. 610-640).

There are two verandahs in the cave complex, each being supported by massive pillars. The upper verandah is the Orukal Temple, home to a large lingam with deities of Brahma and Vishnu on either side. On the lower verandah there are two more life-size statues, decorated with ornaments.

At the foot of the hill is a very large temple tank, Nandi Thirtham, with a huge Nandi facing Vedagirishwarar on the hilltop. There are 12 theerthams at different places on and around the hill.

Legend :
The Vedas are said to exist here, embodied as the four local hills. The great sage Bharadvaja, who had been continually chanting the Vedas over three lifetimes, was approached by Paramesvra, who granted him a boon for all his efforts in attempting to learn the Vedas. Paramesvra said to the sage, "The Vedas you have learned all these years are like this handful of earth. What you have yet to learn is vast, like these mountains." It is believed that Vedagiri Hill at Tirukkazhukkunram is the place where Paramesvra caused the Vedas to appear in the form of these mountains. Devotees believe that circumambulation of the Hill gives an effect equivalent to worshipping the Vedas, and many devotees are found chanting "Veda, Veda, Mahaveda" in this place.

Other Places :
16 km. away, at the nearby Mammalapuram (Mahabalipuram) complex, there are fourteen more cave temples, nine monolithic shrines, three stone temples, and four relief sculptured rock panels, which drawn throngs of tourists to the area. Some of them are fortunate enough to press on to Vedagirisevara Hill at Tirukkalukkunram, and get the darshan of Lord Brahma.

Website :
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-09/features1522.htm