Background:

Many temples  are known either by the name of the Lord or his

Consort. For Example, Madurai reminds us of Lordess Meenakshi,
Chidambaram for Lord Natarajar, Kancheepuram for Lordess
Kamakshi Amman and so on.  However, there are a few temples that
are well-known for the Lord and his Consort and Thirukkadaiyur is
one among them. Thirukadaiyur Abirami Samedha
Amirthakadeshwarar  Temple in Thirukadaiyur is associated with the
legends of Markandeyar and Abirami Battar.

Legend of Samudhra Manthan (Paarkadal Kadaithal):

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. Amrita Ghat Eshwarar -which, translated
from Sanskrit literally means "Lord that leads to immortality"
('Immortality' (Amrita) 'Step' (Ghat) 'Lord' (Eshwarar)). 

The original temple, Thirumeignanam Gnanaparameswarar Temple,

called Thirumeignanam, built in the 11th century, was ravaged by the
sea and is in ruins now.

It is a grand temple with 5 praharams, imposing towers and ornate

Mandapams covering an area of 11 acres. Based on the inscriptions
seen here, it is inferred that the stone base of the central shrine was
in existence even during period of Raja Raja Cholan (early 11th
century). It was during the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1075 -
1120) that the brick walls of the temple were replaced with
stonewalls and the Mandapam in the front was constructed.

There are three temple tanks - Theertham - known as 'Amritha

Pushkarini', 'Kaala Theertham' and 'Maarkandeya Theertham'.
Popular Legend - Markandeya:

As per popular legend, near the temple of Tirukkadaiyur, there lived

a sage named Mrikandu and his wife Marudmati. Shiva appeared
to Mrikandu and Marudmati. He told them that he heard their
prayers and would give them a choice: they could either have a gifted
son who would live to be only sixteen, or a son of low intelligence
who would live a long life. Mrikandu and Marudmati chose the
former, and were blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son,
destined to die at the age of sixteen.

The Rajagopuram is replete with images made of mortar, depicting

the legends associated with the temple. Images in the temple depict
the Lord with a raised forefinger, warning Yama. The mark of
the Kaala Paasa is visible on the Lingam. Though the presiding
deity in the sanctum sanctorum is only one in Linga form, a close look
at the Linga will show another reflection of the Linga.

With Yama being rendered inactive, there were no deaths on earth.

As nature should have its way, Kalasamharamoorthi (Kala +
Samharam + Moorthi), the other name by which Lord
Amirthakadeshwarar is known - Lord Shiva brought Death to life. It is
here that the significance of the Lord hitting Yama the God of death -
'kicking with the left leg' is spoken about. Had He desired to quell
Yama forever, he would have held him under his right leg - as in the
case of Muyalaka. The very fact that he used his left leg points to the
fact that he intended it as a punishment for an act of rashness and
not otherwise.

Popular Legend - Abhirami Bhattar:

The wonderful mercy of Mother Abhirami is evident from an event

that saved Her devotee Subramnaian (Abhirami Bhattar) from capital
punishment. King Serfoji realised the greatness of Abirami Battar.
Despite the refusal of Bhattar, he had documented his command on
copper plates to donate one-hundredth part of his revenue from
all villages to him and his successors. The copper plate is still in
possession of the successors of Abirami Battar.

Festivals & Functions:

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.

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.

When Subramaniam was singing the 79th verse, Mother Abhirami

threw Her Thadanga – ear rings in the air which shone as a full moon.
This event is celebrated in the temple as “Andhadhi Parayanam” on
the New Moon day of Tamil Thai month – January-February.
On this festival day, this is chanted with an Arati for each song.
When the 79th song is chanted a powerful electric lamp is
switched on representing the full moon appearing from Her
Thadangas-ear rings.

This famous shrine is one of eight veerattanams (avatars) of Lord

Shiva. This temple belongs to Dharmapuram Aadinam (Mutt). It is
one of the “Padal Petra Sthalams”. 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.