When the full moon lit the girivalam path at Thirukazhukundram

Annual Chithirai Thiruvizha at Vedagireeswarar Temple attracts thousands for hill circumambulation and unique rituals.

The four hills of Thirukazhukundram, said to represent the four Vedas, were resounding with the chants of ‘Namasivaya Vazhga’ this month. The annual 10-day Chithirai Thiruvizha of the Vedagireeswarar Temple attracted tens of thousands of devotees from nearby villages.

On Chithra Pournami, the full moon day, thousands of people took the girivalam, the circumambulation of the hills through the 4-km route.

“Though the full moon lit the path beautifully, we had arranged additional lighting. Anticipating the crowds, we had taken up the usual preparations for the festival since the girivalam is done at night. After several years, we got a new chariot for Chandikeswarar. It was gutted in 1986. A local resident, Anbu Chezhiyan, gave the money for the new one. Five chariots carrying the idols of Sri Ganesha, Murugan, Thripurasundari Amman, Bhaktavatsaleswarar, and Chandikeswarar were brought out on the seventh day,” says S. Puviarasan, the executive officer of the temple.

K. Sivaraman, a devotee, says he has been attending the monthly girivalam at the temple since 2004.

“The crowds are very manageable since most of them are the local people. The police also ensure our safety. Arrangements, including water supply and prasadam distribution, are made by the temple authorities,” he says.

The hilltop temple of Vedagireeswarar can be accessed by climbing 565 steps. At the bottom, there is a temple for Bhaktavatsaleswarar and Thripurasundari Amman. This temple town is famous for the vultures that used to visit it daily. Legend has it that two rishis wanted to attain moksha and prayed to the Lord, who told them to lead lives of householders and continue their prayers. However, as they refused to do so, they were cursed to become vultures and visit Rameshwaram, Kasi, and Thirukazhukundram daily for four yugas. The vultures no longer visit Thirukazhukundram. The reason is not known.

In the western suburbs, Thirumullaivoyal’s Kodi Idai Nayaki sametha Maasilamaneeswarar Temple celebrated the Chitirai Sadhayam. On the day when the Sadhayam star is on the ascent, the sandalwood paste applied on the Lingam is removed and people can have darshan of the plain idol. Temple executive officer Prabhakar says the sandalwood paste is removed and distributed to devotees. “Freshly ground sandalwood paste will be applied throughout the year. The idol has a cut like the one inflicted by a sword and that can be seen during the Sadhayam day,” he said.