TIRUKKALIKKUNDRAM : HILL OF THE SACRED KITES

TIRUKKALIKKUNDRAM : HILL OF THE SACRED KITES

An excursion to the ancient coastal town of Mahabalipuram (85 km. or 52 miles from Madras) also includes a trip to Tirukkalikkundram (Hill of the Sacred Kites). This is midway between Chingleput railway station and Mahabalipuram.

Tirukkalikkundram has a famous Siva Temple and there is a small shrine on a hillock, which is about 152 m. (500 ft.) high. Every day, just before noon, two kites, considered to be sacred birds, visit the hillock and eat from the hands of a priest. There is a belief that the birds are actually two saints who rest at Tirukkalikkundram on their daily flight between Varanasi (Banaras) and Rameswaram. The birds arrive and depart at the same hour every day and this they are believed to have been doing from time immemorial. A crowd always assembles to see these kites and to visit the temple. Since the climb to the temple is rather steep, the visitor will do well to start early. The birds are punctual and arrive an hour before noon.

This is photographic information page about "TIRUKKALIKKUNDRAM : HILL OF THE SACRED KITES" from a vintage book on Indian Heritage and Culture.