Thirukadiyur

Tamil Nadu is the land of Temples. Nearly 33000 ancient temples - many at least 600 to 800 years old, scattered all over the land. Studded with awe-inspiring architecture, towering gopurams, exquisite carvings of idols, tanks, mandapams, variety of sculptures, and rich inscriptions, they tell tales of a byegone age. They capture the very soul of the rich culture of Tamil land.

Sri Amirtha kadesvarar temple located in Thirukadiyur, around twenty kilometers from Mayiladuthurai, is a famous Shiva temple where devotees throng in large numbers.

The temple

The temple is majestic and spread over 11 acres, with five Prakarams, imposing temple towers and spacious Mandapams. From the inscriptions it can be seen that the temple has been in existence during the period of Raja Raja Cholan, of the Cholas from the early 11th century.

There is a lot of folklore surrounding this temple; all of which attracts hordes of devotees.

Legends has it that when Devas and Asuras churned parkadal to get Amirtham , they forgot to Worship Lord Ganesa (Sri Vinayagayar). Lord Ganesa stole the pot of Amirtham and kept at Thirukadiyur.

There is another more widely circulated fable; Markandeya, son of sage Mrikandu was predicted to live for only 16 years. As advised by his father, Markandeya worshipped Amritaghateswarar in Tirukkadaiyur. On the destined day, Yama appeared with the noose. Markandeya sought refuge in the Lord by embracing the Siva Lingam. The Lord warned Yama, but he nonetheless threw the noose that bound Markandeya and the Lingam together. Angered by this act of rashness, the Lord punished Yama by making him inactive for a long time. Markandeya was blessed to be ever sixteen.

One can see a lot of old people celebrating their 60^th or 80^th birthday in the temple premises; as Yama was conquered here. By observing their Sashti Aptha poorthi and Sathabishekam there is belief that their longevity would increase.

Another fable involves the great Abirami Battar. Once the poet of completely immersed in his prayers. The king, who visited the temple, saw this temple priest lost in himself and did not even show elementary respect.

The king then approached Abirami Battar and asked him for the tithi (lunar day) of that day. It was new moon day. Since the mind of Abirami Battar was filled with the luminescent vision of the Mother, he - even without opening his eyes - said that it was full moon day.

'If there is no full moon rising this evening,' he warned Battar, 'you will be put to death.' Abirami Battar was told what had happened only after he opened his eyes after his meditation. Poetry, evocative, moving and having the power to melt the hearts flowed from him. He sang a hundred verses in praise of Abirami. The verses are known as Abirami Antadhi. The Mother took Her earring and threw it in the sky. That shone in the sky brighter than the full moon. Thus proving that for a true devotee, the Goddess never lets him down.

The worship services are offered six times a day in the temple. Almost every day dawns with one celebration or other, as hundreds of pilgrims throng the temple to celebrate their 60th or 80th birthdays.

The temple is a grand piece of Chola architecture and worth a visit; the place vibrates a lot of serenity and harmony