Thirukadaiyur Amirthakadeswarar – Abirami Temple Timings & History

Thirukadaiyur Abirami Temple

Thirukadaiyur has Amirthakadeswarar Abirami Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva in Tamilnadu. It has beautiful Tamil- architecture and actually a group of temples with several other temples nearby. Different stories are associated with these temples.

Amirthakadeswarar is the main shrine of the temple and a form of Lord Shiva. His consort Mata Parvati is known here as Abirami. This temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam and was written about by the Nayanars (Tamil Saint Poets).

In this temple, Lord Shiva is also known as Mrityunjaya – The Defeater of Death associated with the stories.

Thirukadaiyur Temple Timings

Thirukadaiyur Temple’s opening and closing times are as follows.

Thirukadaiyur Temple All Days Darshan Time

Thirukadaiyur Temple Sevas

The Thirukadaiyur Temple Pooja timings are as below.

Here, Each pooja has 4 steps.

1. Abhishekam
2. Alankaram
3. Naivedyam
4. Deep Aradhana

Thirukadaiyur Temple Puja Prices

The pooja prices at Thirukadaiyur Temple are as follows.

Types of Homams done at Thirukadaiyur Temple

There are different types of Homams done at the temple.

Temple Marriage Slot Details

The Origins of the Temple

After the Samudra Manthan, the Devtas were victorious in getting the pot of Amrit (Immortality Nectar) after an ardent fight with the Asuras. The Devtas went to a remote place to consume the Amrit and did so. But forgot to invoke Lord Ganesh.

Lord Ganeshji was offended. He stole the pot of Amrit and hid it in Thirukadaiyur. Before He hid it, He created a Shivling and poured some of the Amrit on it. Thus, Lord Shiva in the form of the Shivling came into existence as Amirthakadeswarar – Lord who leads to Immortality.

Mata Parvati in the form of Abirami stayed here. It is believed Maa has taken this Avatar with the power of Lord Vishnu.

At Thirukadaiyur, A temple was built by the people who worshipped there. Over the centuries the pilgrimage endured and the temple must have been renovated, rebuilt, or enlarged several times. In about 1000 CE the temple was renovated and expanded by Rajaraja I of the Chola Empire.

The Story of Markandeya Rishi

Ages before, a saint named Mrikandu lived here with his wife, Mardumati. They were ardent devotees of Lord Shiva and worshipped in the temple every day. They had no child, so they prayed to Lord Shiva to be blessed with a child.

Pleased with their worship, Lord Shiva appeared and gave them two choices – They could have a son of low intelligence who would have a long life or a son of high intelligence who would live for 16 years only. The couple chose the second option. They were then blessed with a son whom they named Markandeya.

Markandeya, following his parent’s footsteps, was also a loyal devotee of Lord Shiva. It is believed that he brought Ganga Jal through an underground passage for Lord Shiva’s Abhishek. He gained vast knowledge at an early age.

When Markandeya was 16 and destined to die, Yamaraj (God of Death) came to collect him. Markandeya ran and clung to the Shivling with both arms. Even so, Yamaraj tried to take Markandeya forcibly. This furious Lord Shiva appeared and put his foot on Yamaraja.

Markandeya was saved and then blessed by Lord Shiva to remain 16 years old forever. Markandeya then came to be known as ‘Kala-Samhara’ (Destroyer of Time).

As a consequence of this Yamaraja was trapped under Lord Shiva’s foot and there were no deaths on earth. Births continued, resulting in the earth being overburdened. Mother Earth approached Lord Shiva and explained the situation. Lord Shiva released Yamaraj with a strict warning not to disturb anyone protected by Him. Regularity returned to the Mother Earth.

Abirami Pattaar

In the early 1500s, there lived Subramanian in Thirukadaiyur. He was a devotee of Devi Abirami. In fact, such was his devotion to the Goddess that he saw Her in everyone and particularly in every woman. He would shower flowers and petals on every lady entering the temple. He considered all women a form of the Goddess.

Subramanian was always immersed in the worship of the Goddess and lost to the world. One day the king came to the temple to pray. Everyone present bowed to the king, but Subramanian did not notice as he was lost in worship. This irritated the king. Someone told the king that Subramanian was mad, while another said he was a true saint.

This confused the king and he decided to test Subramanian. Even during the test Subramanian was lost in contemplation of the Goddess and gave a wrong answer. He said it was a full moon night when it was the no moon night. The king ordered Subramanian to be burnt alive.

When he was put on the lighted pyre, Subramanian started singing the ‘Abirami Antati’ to the Goddess. Abirami Antati is a compilation of 100 hymns in praise of Abirami Devi. The goddess appeared and threw one of Her earrings into the sky and it looked as if it were a full moon. The astonished king instantly forgave Subramanian and declared he would now be known as Abirami Pattaar (Priest of Abirami Devi).

Amirthakadeswarar – Abirami Temple

Amirthakadeswarar – Abirami Temple Is one of the Ashta Veerattanam temples dedicated to Lord Shiva representing His victories over eight demons. All the Tamil Siddhas have visited this temple and it has been glorified by Nayanars such as Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar.

The temple is spread over 11 acres of land with five courtyards, several tall towers and large Mandapas. Besides the main temple, there are shrines dedicated to Rishi Markandeya, There is a separate shrine for Abirami. One more temple known as Amirtha Narayana Perumal temple is located within the complex.

Amirthakadeswarar – Abirami Temple is believed to bestow a long life and many devotees offer special prayers when aged 60, 80, or more. Wedding anniversaries are also celebrated here. Brahmotsavam is celebrated in April/May. A festival known as Shankha Abhishek is celebrated in the month of Kartik. Navratri is also celebrated with zeal.

Location

Arulmigu AmirdhaKadeswarar Temple,

Thirukkadavur – 609 311, Mayiladuthurai (Dt), TamilNadu, India

Contact

Phone: +91- 4364 287 429

Email: [email protected]

How to Reach Thirukadaiyur

By Road

The Thirukadaiyur bus stand is the nearest bus stand to Sri Amirdha Kadeswarar Temple which is 800 meters from the temple. Another station is the Mayiladuthurai bus stand which is 21 Km away from the temple. You can get buses, autos and cars to reach.

By Rail

The Mayiladuthurai railway station is the nearest railway station to Sri Amirdha Kadeswarar Temple which is 23.2 Km from the temple. Buses, cars and autos will be there to reach here.

By Air

The Puducherry airport is the nearest airport to Sri Amirdha Kadeswarar Temple which is 114 Km from the temple. You can board your domestic as well as link your international flights from here.