Pakshi
Teertham or Tirukkazhukkunram
is one of the most
famous pilgrim centers.
The place is famous
because of the two
kites that visit
the temples at 12.00
noon for centuries.
It is believed that
these kites have
their bath in Banaras,
worship at Rameshwram
have their food
in Pakshi Teertham
and rest at Chidambaram.
It is said that
these kites used
to be two saint
brothers Athi and
Sambu. One was a
devotee of Siva
and the other Shakti.
They quarreled as
to who was the superior
among the two. Finally
Siva came to sort
out the differences
and said that both
Siva and  Sakthi
are equal. The saints
however did not
agree at which Siva
got angry and cursed
them to become vultures.
These are supposed
to be the kites
that we see everyday
in the temple. The
place used to be
known as Vedagiri
for here the Vedas
are supposed to
have taken the form
of mountains at
Tirukkazhukkunram.
The shrine is built
on three huge blocks
of stones where
are carved the sculptures
of Siva and Parvati
with Subrahmania,
Another with Siva
and the two rishis.
The temple has several
flights of stairs.
Pilgrims flock together
for the sight of
these two kites.
There is a beautiful
tank known as Sankha
- Teertham here
in which valampiri
chanks are supposed
to appear once in
12 years. They are
considered as very
auspicious. It is
in Pakshiteertham
that Nandi gained
the boon that whoever
came and worshipped
Lord Siva in Pakshiteertham
be absolved of their
sins.
Pakshiteertham or
Tirukkazhukkunram
is in Chengalpettu.
The place can be
reached by rail
or road.
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