Thirukkadaiyur


Thirukkadaiyur is a temple town on the east coast of Tamil Nadu, about 300 km south of Chennai and 15 km north of Karaikal.
The famous Amritaghateswarar - Abirami Temple of Tirukkadaiyur is associated with the legends of Markandeya and Abirami Pattar, which is a replica. The original temple, Thirukkadaiyur Mayanam, now called Thirumeignanam, built in the 11th century, was ravaged by the sea and is in ruins now. People worship and pray at Thirukkadaiyur temple for long life.
Brahmapureeswarar Temple at Thirukadaiyur Mayanam or Brahmapureeswarar Temple Thirumeiganam, Pillaiperumalnallur, another famous Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam is located nearby, to the east.

Legend

Mrikandu

This is one of the holy places of Saivism today. Legend has it that Mrikandu, a sage and devotee of Lord Siva, prayed to God to bless him with a son. God appeared and gave him a choice to select the type of child he wanted - an honest responsible and virtuous son who would live only for 16 years or a son who would live for 100 years but whose behavior is bad. Mrikandu chose the former.

Markandeya

The boy, Markandeya, also grew up to be an ardent devotee of Siva. The destined time came, when Yama tried to snatch the life of the boy. Markandeya went to the temple and clutched at the Siva Lingam in a bid to escape death. Pleased by the boy's belief, Siva rescued him from death, incarnating him as Kalantaka.
Shastiapthapoorthi, Bhimaradha Shanthi, Sadabishegam and other Ayul Shanthi fire worships are very famous here.

Temples

The Amritaghateswarar - Abirami Temple of Tirukkadaiyur is associated with the legends of Markandeya and Abirami Pattar.