Thirukadaiyur History (தல வரலாறு)
Sri
Amirthagateswarar Abhirami Temple (திருக்கடையூர் ஸ்ரீ அமிர்தகடேசுவரர் கோயில் is a Hindu temple
dedicated to Shiva in his
manifestation as "Destroyer of Death" and his wife Parvati as Abhirami. It is located in Thirukkadaiyur (Thirukadavur), 21 km East of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil
Nadu in India. This temple is
associated with the legend of Shiva saving his young devotee, Markendeya from death, and the tale of a saint, Abirami
Pattar a devotee of the presiding
goddess.
The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.The temple complex covers 10 acres and has two gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 46 metres (151 ft). The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Amirthaghateswarar and Abhirami being the most prominent.
The temple has six daily rituals at various
times from 5:30 a.m.
to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The present masonry
structure was built during the Chola dynasty in
the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Thanjavur Nayaks.
The temple is maintained and administered by the Dharmapuram Aadhenam.
Brahmapureeswarar Temple at
Thirukadaiyur Mayanam or Brahmapureeswarar Temple Thirumeiganam,
Pillaiperumalnallur, another famous Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam is
located nearby, easterly.
This famous shrine is one of eight
veerattanams (avatars) of Lord Shiva. This temple belongs to Dharmapuram Aadinam
(Mutt). Songs have been sung by the famous Tamil Trinity of Appar, Sundarar,
and Thirugnanasambandar about the deities in this temple. Thirukkadaiyur
is further purified by the holy trees like Pinchilam (a 2000-year-old tree) and
Bael (vilvam) tree. According to legend, before beginning to churn
the paarkadal (Ocean of Milk) for amirtham (nectar), the Devas and Asuras
neglected to pray to the Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha), thus angering the might
elephant-headed god who stole the amirthakalasam (pot of nectar) and hid
it.
Lord Shiva advised them to apologise to Lord Vinayaka. The pot later
became a shivalingam. Hence the moolavar (main idol) is known as
Lord Amirthakadeswarar (amirtham + kadam/kalasam = nectar +
pot). Since Lord Vinayaka hid the amirthakalasam he is also known by
the name Kallavaaranam.
The famous votary of Goddess Abirami, the
Abhirami Bhattar has sung string of 100 pathigams and andhadhis about Lord
Kallavaaranam for the benefit of all. It is said that whoever chants
the andhadis with devotion shall gain prosperity and happiness.
Thirukadaiyur is the place where Lord Shiva
bestowed immortality to Sri Maarkandeya and bestowed upon him the boon that he
would remain sixteen forever after He destroyed the God of Death, Yama, thus
saving his votary’s life. He later granted Yama absolution for the
sake of Goddess Bhumadevi (Earth).
Since the Lord killed Yama for the sake of
his votary he is known as Lord Mrithunjayamoorthi. As the presiding
deity is the destroyer of the God of Death, the ceremonial rites connected with
this are Ugraratha shanti,
performed by people who are celebrating their 60th birthday, Shashtiaptapoorthi at the beginning of their 61st birthday, Bheemaratha
shanti on the occasion of their 70th
birthday. Octogenarians get themselves purified and protected by
performing and Sadabhishekam and
“Ayush homam.”
Another famous festival is the annual “Yama
samharam” (lit. destruction of Yama) which is celebrated during the first month
of the Tamil year, Chithirai (Mesha month) during Magam star.
Other important functions that take place
here are Ayush homam (prayer
for longevity and prosperity of life) for children to remove any future
astrological difficulties arising from the movement of the Navagrahas (nine
planets). If anybody suffers from a serious disease and is on the
verge of death, Mrithunjaya homam (lit.
prayer for victory over death) is performed here in an effort to save their
lives and to relieve them from their illness. Devotees strongly
believe that this actually works.
It is the place where two of the 63 Naayanmars,
viz., Gungiliya Naayanar and Kaari Naayanar rendered services to get the
blessings of the Lord.
During the rule of King Sarfoji, Goddess
Abirami, for the sake of her votary, Abirami Bhattar, threw one of her ear
studs (thadangam) towards the sky on a new moon day
(Amavasai). The round stud shone like the moon itself, thus turning
the new moon day into a full moon day (Pournami). The votary Abirami
Bhattar has sung the famous “Abirami Andhadhi” praising Goddess Abirami for
having saved him from the death sentence as ordered by the King. Goddess
Abirami later forgave the king and blessed her staunch devotee. This
is one of the many legends connected with the holy city of Thirukadaiyur.
