Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 164th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 47th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)
and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
There are eight special
places where it is believed that Lord Shiva vanquished various demons and
exhibited acts of bravery. These places are Veeratta Sthalams. In Tamil, this
is referred to as “Atta Veerattanam” (“Atta” means eight and “Veeram” means
bravery). Thirukkadaiyur is the eighth Veeratta Sthalam where Lord Yama was
believed to have been kicked and punished to save Markandeya. The other seven Veeratta
Sthalams are –
·
Thirukkandiyur where one of Lord
Brahma’s five heads was plucked;
·
Thirukkovilur where the demon
Andhakasuran was vanquished;
·
Thiruvathigai where the lord is believed
to have done the “Thiripura Samharam”.
·
Keezha Parasalur where Dakshan’s yagna
was stopped and he was killed;
·
Thiruvirkudi where the demon
Jalandharasuran was killed;
·
Thiru Vazhuvur where the elephant
Gajasuran was vanquished;
·
Thiru Korukkai where Manmathan was burnt
and later blessed.
The historical names of
this place are Vilva Vanam, Pinchila Vanam and Kadavur.
Sri
Amirthakateswarar:
The legend is that once
upon a time, when the Devas and Asuras were churning the “Thiruparkadal” ocean
to extract nectar, it is believed that Lord Shiva made the pot of nectar appear
in this temple’s holy water. However, the Devas forgot to worship Lord
Vinayakar before taking the pot. It is believed that Lord Vinayakar got angry
and hid the pot contained the nectar.
However, later the pot
got so deeply entrenched in the earth that it reaches the “padala logam” (under
world) and was transformed into a lingam. This is the lingam that is present
inside this temple. This Shivalingam is hailed as a manifestation of the
celestial nectar itself. Hence the lord is praised as “Sri Amirthakateswarar” (“Amirtham”
means nectar and “kalasam” means pot in Tamil).
Lord
Brahma’s worship:
Lord Brahma went to
Mount Kailash to receive the “Gnana Upadesa” (divine learning). Lord Shiva gave
the seeds of Vilwa tree to Lord Brahma and asked him to sow them in earth in
various places. Lord Shiva further told him that wherever the seed germinates
within one and a half hours, that shall become the venue of the “Gnana
Upadesa”. It is believed that this happened in Thirukkadayur. The Shivalingam
worshiped by Brahma here is known as “Sri Adhi Vilwa Vana Nather”.
Sage
Markandeya:
Sage Mrigandu and his
wife Maruthuvathi were praying to Lord Shiva for being blessed with a child.
The sage performed severe penance. Lord said that they would be blessed with a
son who would be wise and noble but his life would be too short -spanning just
16 years. The sage couple named their son Markandeya. When he attained the age
of 16, his parents became very sad. Knowing the reason for their sorrow,
Markandeya took a pilgrimage to all Shiva Sthalams. Finally, he came to
Thirukadayur. This was the 108th temple of his pilgrimage. That also
happened to his day of destiny. While he was praying to Lord Shiva, Yama
appeared before him and to take his life as was preordained.
On seeing Yama,
Markandeya embraced the Shivalingam and sought lord Amirthakadeswarar’s help.
When Yama threw his rope on Markandeya, it covered the lord also. When Lord
Shiva realised that Yama had come to take the life of such a devout young
child, he became very angry. It is believed that the lingam then split open and
Lord Shiva appeared from it in the form of Kalasamharamurthy. In his fury, he
destroyed Yama with his trident. Lord Shiva blessed Markandeya with the gift of
immortality. Further he was blessed that he would forever remain a boy of 16
years. Since Lord Shiva killed Yama in this place he is praised as Lord
Miruthyunjaya Murthy (“Miruthyu” means Yaman, “Jayam” means vanquisher and
“Murthy” means lord in Tamil). The lord is also praised as “Sri Kala Samhara
Murthy” (“Kalan” means Yama, “Samharam” means destroyed and “Murthy” means lord
in Tamil).
Abhirami
Pattar’s Abhirami Andhadhi:
This is the birth place
of Abhirami Bhattar, originally known as Subramanian. He is the author of
Abhirami Andhadhi. He was a priest in this temple and was a staunch devotee of
Goddess Abhirami and sang beautiful songs in her praise.
One day when he was in
deep prayer in the temple and had completely surrendered himself to Goddess
Parvathy, the Tanjure King Saraboji-II visited the temple. The king
enquired him about the “Thithi” (literally meaning lunar day). He was so
engrossed in his prayer that without thinking, he replied that it was a full
moon day although it was a new moon day. When someone pointed out his mistake,
the king became very angry. He asked Subramanian to prove that it was a full
moon day, failing which he would be hanged.
When the evening
approached and there was no sign of a full moon, the king ordered that he
should be tied to a swing with a bowl of fire under him. Unfazed by this order,
Subramanian left his fate to the goddess and started singing her glory in 100
verses in the Andhadhi poetic style. “Andh-Aadhi” – meaning first and last – is
a style of poetry where the last word of the preceding verse becomes the first
word of the next verse. When Subramaniam was singing the 79th verse, Goddess
Abhirami threw her “Thadanga” (ear ring) in the air which turned into a full
moon. Once he completed his 100th stanza, every one including the king fell
at his feet as they recognised the extent of Subramanian’s devotion. Since then
he came to be known as “Abhirami Bhattar”. These hundred stanzas are known as
“Abhirami Andhadhi”.
This event is
celebrated in the temple on the New Moon day of the Tamil month of Thai
(January-February). These hundred stanzas are now chanted by devotees on a
daily basis. On the day of this festival, this chanting is accompanied with an
“Arthi” for each stanza. When the 79th stanza is chanted, a powerful electric
lamp is switched on to represent the full moon appearing from the goddess’s
“Thadangas (ear rings). This festival draws a large number of devotees.
Kaari
Nayanar and Kungiliakalaya Nayanar:
This is the birth place
of Shiva devotees Kaari Nayanar and Kungiliakalaya Nayanar. Both of them find
their place among the 63 celebrated Saivite Nayanmars. It is believed
that they rendered their religious services in this place before attaining
salvation here.
Aayushya
Homam:
A large number of
devotees can be seen performing the following poojas (“Aayushya Homam”) –
·
“Poornabishekam” on their
100th birth anniversary,
·
“Kanakabishekam” on their
90th birth anniversary,
·
“Sathabishekam” on their 80th birth
anniversary,
·
“Beemaratha Shanthi” on their
70th birth anniversary, and
·
“Sashtiyaptha Poorthi” / “Manivizha” on
their 60th birth anniversary.
Six
places:
There are six places
where one can get relieved from the fear of Lord Yama. They are –
Thirukkadayur, Thiruveezhimizhalai, Thiruvaiyaru, Thiruvenkadu, Thiruvaikavur
and Thiruvanchiyam. Among these, Thirukkadayur is very famous.
Markandeya’s
pooja:
Lord Shiva facilitated
Markandeya’s pooja by bringing the Ganges itself here. The well in front of
Lord Brahmapureeswarar’s temple near this temple is believed to have water from
the Ganges. Even today, this is the water that is being used for performing
“abhishekam” to the lord.
Pinjilam:
This temple’s “Sthala
Vriksham” is Pinjilam - a type of jasmine. It is believed to be more than 2000
years old. It is also believed that this “Pinjilam” variety came along with the
Ganges spring. It can be seen in blossom throughout the year and is used only
for the purpose of making offerings to the lord. This plant can still be seen
in the inner corridor of the temple. Another Sthala Vriksham of this temple is
the “Bael” tree (Vilvam tree).
Sri
Kala Samhara Murthy:
The idol of Sri Kala
Samhara Murthy, the fierce form of Lord Shiva, who saved the sage Markandeya
from the clutches of Lord Yama, is huge and quite unique. This idol depictgs
Lord Shiva with his left leg placed on Adhisheshan and holding his trident
pointed at Yama. Yama can be seen under the lord’s other foot. In that same
idol, “Boothaganas” (the lord’s security) can be seen dragging Yama with a
rope. Goddess Parvathy is depicted as a little girl along with Goddesses
Lakshmi and Saraswathy. However, the Yama at the lord’s feet is covered with a
metal sheet and this sheet is only removed for a little while at the time of
pooja.
1008
Sankhabhishekam:
The 1008
Sankhabhishekam (conches used for abhishekam) is performed to the deity here
because of the belief that Markandeya had performed this form of worship. This
festival is celebrated on all Mondays in the Tamil month of Karthikai. This is
the only time when the deity can be seen without “vastra” (clothes). During
this time the fissure in the lingam is also visible.
People who worshipped here:
Lord Brahma, Yama,
Goddess Durgai, serpent Vasuki and sages Agasthiyar, Pulasthiyar and
Markandeyar have worshiped the lord of this temple.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This is one of the Atta Veeratta
Sthalams and Sakthi peetams.
·
This is one of the 44 Paadal petra
sthalams where the “Moovar” had rendered their Pathigams.
·
This is the birth place of Kaari Nayanar
and Kungiliakalaya Nayanar.
·
This is the birth place of Abhirami
Bhattar who composed the famous “Abhirami Andhathi”.
·
This is west facing temple with 7-tiered
main tower (Rajagopuram).
·
The scar from the rope being thrown
around Markandeya and the lingam can still be seen on the lingam. This scar is
visible only during the time of abhishekam.
·
Lord “Kalla Varana Pillayar” appears
with a pot of nectar in his hand.
·
Goddess Parvathi appears with Lord Bala
Murugan on her right side and is praised as “Sri Guhambikai”.
·
Though the presiding deity in the
sanctum sanctorum is only one lingam, a closer look at the lingam will show
another reflection of the lingam.
·
“Akash Rahasya” (Chidambara Rahasyam), there
is a “Yantra” in the right wall of Sri Kaalasamhaaramurthy’s shrine. This is
called the “Thirukadayur Rahasyam”.
·
It is believed that this is the
108th Shiva Sthalam where Maarkandeyar worshiped Lord Shiva.
·
There is no Navagraham instead devotees
perform the Navagraha poojas to Lord Kalasamharamurthi.
·
The hymns rendered by each of the three
saints mention the legend of Lord Shiva rescuing Sage Markandeya from Yama.
·
Many Siddhars lived around this holy
place. Among them Pambatti Siddhar is very prominent.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Amirthakadeswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Abhirami Amman |
|
Theertham |
Amirtha
Pushkarani, Markandeya Theertham, Kala Theertham, Ganga Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vilvam
tree and Jadi Mullai plant |
BELIEF:
Patients who are
suffering from heart related problems can perform the “Mrutyunjaya Homam” (this
can be literally translated as “conquering the God of Death”).
This temple is very
famous for conducting 60th and 80th birth anniversaries.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
Apr-May |
18-day “Yama Samharam” festival |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
Aadi Pooram |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Skanda Shasti |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Sankabishekam festival using 1008
conches is celebrated on all Mondays |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
Panguni Uthiram |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thirukadaiyur is
situated at a distance of about 22 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the
Mayiladuthurai to Karaikkal route.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Amirtha Kadeswarar Temple,
Thirukkadayur,
Mayiladuthurai,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu -609 311.
LOCATION:
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