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This
famous ancient Tirukkovil town more popularly known as
Pakshitheertham has an awe-some legend that is drawing thousands of
yatris and paryatakas. Everyday at it this punyakshetra has Sivan
Tirukkovils both at the bottom and atop a charming little hill
provided with flight of steps. The legend, though imbued with
mysticism, the evidence in the form of the regular visit of two
kites drives home Lord Siva's matchless compassion. It narrates that
once two devout sages - one hailing from Rameswaram and an other
from Kasi did penance, propitiating Siva. When the Lord appeared,
satisfied with their austere tapas, they prayed for eternal
adoration to the Lord in the form of kites of special type. It was
granted. This happened in bygone yugas; but still the kites are
visiting this place at noon everyday with unbroken rigidity. The
priests feed them with the prasad of Siva punctually at about 12
noon; which they
take one or two bagfuls. The prasad that is sanctified by their
beaks is sold to the spectators, who await and witness this event
with baited breath. It is a daily occurrence, yet its oddity is
enticing, and the craze for a gaze is on the increase. The
Tirukkovils atop contain the icons of rishis, Parvathi, Subrahmanya,
Siva, besides the big Sivalinga in the centre of the cell. Once in
every twelve years, there is celebrated Idipuja that attracts huge
crowds. Down below, Siva is worshipped as Mover in a well-built big
temple. It has also a big Sivalinga in addition to other images. The
famous Tamil saints - Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manikyavachakar
worshipped this Siva alone to the exclusion of the other one
installed in the hill temple, fearing that they would desecrate the
holy shrine above by their mortal feet, if ascended. There are three
sacred thirthas called Sanku thirtha, Pakshi thirtha and Nandiswar
thirtha. Devotion knows no bounds, nor does it confine to one kind
only for its expression ?
This
town lies 40 km off Madras and enjoys all transport facilities.
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