At a distance of 23 km from Karaikal, 23 km from Mayiladuthurai, 44 km from Chidambaram and 57 km from Kumbakonam, Thirukkadaiyur is a well-liked temple city situated on the east coast of Tamil Nadu within the Nagapattinam district. The Amritaghateswarar – Abirami Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva is essentially the most well-known temple in Thirukkadaiyur.
The presiding deity of this temple is Sri Amirthalingeswara and his consort is Sri Abirami. Thirukkadaiyur is without doubt one of the eight Veera Sthalas, the place Yama was clashed with Lord Shiva. It’s believed that that is the place the place Lord Shiva protected Markandeya, son of Mrikandu, from Yama. The scar attributable to the Yama’s rope is seen on the Linga throughout abisheka instances.
The temple was constructed by Chola kings in 11th century within the conventional Chola architectural model. Unfold over 11 acres, the temple has nice structure and has 5 enclosures, enormous towers and spacious mandapas. Primarily based on the inscriptions seen right here, the primary shrine (sanctum) was in existence earlier than early 11th century. The brick partitions of the temple had been changed with stonewalls and the entrance mandapa was constructed through the interval of Kulottunga Chola I. In accordance with legend, when devas and asuras churned milk ocean to get Amritham, they forgot to worship Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha harm and stole the pot of Amritham and stored at Thirukkadaiyur. Whereas there, Ganesha created a Shiva Lingam and poured a number of the Amritham over it. For that reason, the Shiva Lingam at this temple is named Amrita Ghat Eshwarar, which suggests Lord that results in immortality, the lord Ganesha known as Kalla Vinayagar or Kalaivanar Pilliyar.
There’s a separate shrine devoted to Abirami. It’s believed {that a} devotee of Goddess Abirami, Abirami Battar, meditated at this temple through the reign of Tanjore Maratha King Serfoji. Abirami Battar sung 100 hymns to reward the goddess, who saved him from the king.
The temple additionally maintains a separate shrine for Markandeya, the good devotee of Lord Shiva. There are three holy water tanks within the temple, specifically the Kaala Theertham, Maarkandeya Theertham and Amrita Pushkarini. It is without doubt one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, the place Appar, Suntharar and Tirugnana Sambhandar have sung the glories of this temple.
Primarily based on the legend of Markandeya, it’s believed that worshipping at this temple will give lengthy life. A service referred to as Sashtipoorthi is well known in honor of a husband’s sixtieth birthday and Sadhabishegam is well known in honor of his eighty-first birthday. Common festivals celebrated on this temple are the annual Brahmotsavams held between April and Could, the Shankhabishekam between November and December, Navaratri and Aadi Pooram.
Timings: 6 AM – 1 PM and four PM – 9 PM