Thirukadaiyur Temple Thirukkadaiyur,Tamil Nadu

Thirukkadaiyur (Thirukadavur) 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.

This is one of the holy places of Saivism today.

The boy, named Markandeya also grew up to be an ardent devotee of Siva. The destined time came, when Yama (the lord of death) 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. Lord Shiva ordered Yama not to get Markandeya Yama (the lord of death) to save Markandeya from him.

Shastiapthapoorthi (60th birthday), Bhimaradha shanthi (70th birthday), 80th birthday (sadabishegam) and other Ayul Shanthi fire worships are very famous here.