These birds are traditionally fed by the temple priests and arrive before noon to feed on offerings made from rice, wheat, ghee and sugar.

[1][2] Legend has it the vultures (or "eagles") represent eight sages who were punished by Shiva with two of them leaving in each of a series of epochs.

[This quote needs a citation]Shiva also said that in the Kali Yuga, the simplest and the surest way to salvation is bhakti, or unfettered devotion, service and love of God and his creations.

It is believed that the hill on which the Vedagiriswarar temple is built, consists of the mountains signifying the Vedas created by Shiva himself.

The four poet-saints (commonly called as Naalvar) Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar and Thirugnanasamandhar had visited the temple complex and composed hymns in praise of Vedagiriswarar.