Sri Amirthakadeswarar Temple / அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Thirukkadavur Veerattam / Thirukadaiyur, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 164^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 47^th Sthalam on the south side of the river Kaveri. This place was called Thirukadavur during the 6^th to 7^th Century and is now called Thirukadaiyur. This is one of the Atta (8) Veerattanam Temples, and the other places are ThiruKovilur, Thiruvathigai, Korukkai, Kandiyur, Thirupariyalur, Vazhuvur, and Thiruvirkudi. This is also one of the Moovar Paadal Petra Sthalam. 

 

In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshipping Lord Shiva of Thitu kottaru. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiru Ambar.

மற்று அவண்பதி அணைந்து வீரட்டத்து மழவிடை யார் கோயில்

சுற்றுமாளிகை வலம் கொண்டு காலனை உதைத்து உருட்டிச் செய்ய

பொன்சி லம்புஅணி தாமரை வணங்கிமுன் போற்றிஉய்ந்து எதிர்நின்று

பற்று அறுப்பவர் சடையுடை யான் எனும் பதிகஇன் இசைபாடி

........திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்

செங்குமுத மலர் வாவித்திருக்கடவூர் அணைந்தருளிப்

பொங்கிய வெங்கூற்று அடர்ந்த பொன் அடிகள் தொழுது ஏத்திக்

குங்குலியக் கலயனார் திருமடத்தில் குறைவு அறுப்பு

அங்கு அவர்பால் சிவனடியா ருடன் அமுது செய்தார்கள்

......... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

சடையுடை யானும்நெய் யாடலா னும்சரி கோவண

உடையுடை யானும்மையார்ந்த ஒண்கண் உமை கேள்வனும்

கடையுடை நன்னெடு மாடம்ஓங்கடவூர்தனுள்

விடையுடை யண்ணலும் வீரட்டா னத்தரன் அல்லனே

........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

பொள்ளத்த காய மாயப் பொருளினைப்போக மாதர்

வெள்ளத்தைக் கழிக்க வேண்டில் விரும்புமின் விளக்குத் தூபம்

உள்ளத்த திரியொன்று ஏற்றி உணருமாறு உணரவல்லார்

கள்ளத் தைக் கழிப்பர் போலும் கடவூர்வீ ரட்ட னாரே

........ திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

பொடியார் மேனியனே புரிநூல்ஒரு பாற்பொருந்த

வடியார் மூவிலைவேல் வளர்க்ங்கையின் மங்கையொடும்

கடியார் கொன்றையனே கடவூர்தனுள் வீரட்டத்தெம்

அடிகேள் என்அமுதே எனக்(கு)ஆர்துணை நீயலதே

....... சுந்தரர்

                                                                        -“மாறகற்றி

நன்கடையூர் பற்பலவும் நன்றி மறவா தேத்துந்

தென்கடையூர் ஆனந்தத் தேறலே

....... திரு அருட்பா

என்குறை தீரநின்று ஏத்துகின்றேன் இனியான் பிறக்கின்

நின்குறையே யன்றி யார் குறைகாண் இருநீள் விசும்பின்

மின்குறை காட்டி மெலிகின்ற நேரிடை மெல்லியலாய்

தன்குறை தீர எங்கோன் சடைமேல் வைத்த தாமரையே

....... அபிராமி அந்தாதி

Moolavar : Sri Amithakadeswarar, Sri Amirtha Lingeswarar

Consort    : Sri Abirami

Some of the important features of this temple are …..

This temple faces west with a 7-tier Rajagopuram, and there is a 5-tier Rajagopuram on the east side also. On the west, there is a second-level 5-tier Rajagopuram. The stucco images like Devas and Asuras Churning the Thiruparkadal, Gajasmharamurthy, and Thirugnanasambandar sitting on the shoulder of his father Sivapadar. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are after the 2nd-level Rajagopuram. Moolavar is a little large and called Kalasamhara Moorthy; there is a scar on the moolavar.

In Kalasamhara Moorthy Sannathi, at the base of the Moolavar scene, Yama is on the floor after he was kicked by Lord Shiva bas relief is on a silver plate. This will be shown to devotees during Poojas. On the opposite side, Sila Moortham of  Yama worshiping Lord Shiva (in the prahara). Maragatha Linga is in a safe place, and pooja will be conducted during early morning and evening.

In praharam Markandeswarar, Naganatheswarar, Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Natarajar sabha, Pancha Lingas, Santhana Kuravarkal, Kungkuliyakalaiya Nayanar, Minister and the Merchant, Virabhadra, Brahmi, 63var, Somaskandar, Urchavars, Palliyarai, and there are no Navagrahas.

Ambal is in a separate temple facing east with Dwajasthambam, Simham, and balipeedam. Abirami Andhadhi was sung by Abhirami Bhattar in praise of Ambal Abirami. The mandapam is of vavval nethi, stucco dwarapalakis are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Urchavar is with 4 hands in abhaya & varada hastam.

The 15th-century Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.

கோட்டை யழித்தசு ரார்பதி கோவென

            மூட்டியெ ரித்தப ராபர சேகர

            கோத்தம ணிக்கதி ரேநிக ராகிய                        வடிவேலா

    கூற்றும ரித்திட வேயுதை பார்வதி

            யார்க்குமி னித்தபெ ணாகிய மான்மகள்

            கோட்டுமு லைக்கதி பாகட வூருறை            பெருமாளே

The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum antarala, ardha mandapam, and a maha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple existed before the 7^th Century. Later reconstructed as a stone temple during the Chozha period and further extended during the Pandyas and Vijayanagaras periods.

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belong to Chozhas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara Kings, and Nattukottai Nagarathars.

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belong to Chozha Kings Rajarajan-I, Rajendra Chozha-I, Kulothunga Chozha-I, Vikrama Chozha, Rajathirajan-II, Kulothunga Chozha-III, Rajarajan-III, Pandya Kings Kulasekara Pandyan, Sundara Pandyan, Konerimai Kondan, Vijayanagara Kings Krishnadevaraya, and Veera Viruppanna Udayar.

As per the inscriptions, this place was called Uyyakondar Valanattu Akkur Nattu Kadavur (Rajendra Chozha’s period), Rajanarayana Valanattu Ambar Nattu Kadavur (Kulothunga Chozha Period), and Jayankonda Chozha Valanattu Ambarnattu Kadavur (Kulothunga Chozha-III), and Lord Shiva was called as Thiruveerattanathu Perumanadigal, Thiruveerattanamudaya Paramaswamy, and Kalakala thevar. Most of the Chozha period inscriptions record the endowment of burning perpetual lamps, pooja, Naivedyam, archana bhogam, and service for which Lands were gifted to the temple. A Pandya person had gifted a Simmasanam to the Palliyarai.

Rajaraja-I’s 6^th reign year and 242nd-day inscription records that a Tax exemption was made to the temple land and lands around the temple. The 13^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning perpetual lamps in front of 3 sannathis during morning & Evening poojas, for which land was bought by the Maha Sabha and handed over to a merchant called Udhaya Chandran Amudhan alias Mayilatri to carry the endowment to the sun and moon exists.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 18^th reign year inscription records the endowment of celebrating the 8-day festival in the month Chithirai for which land was gifted by Rajaraja Mooventha Velan.

Kulothunga Chozha-I’s (1070- 1120 CE) inscription records the endowment of feeding 10 Sivayogis who are well-versed in Vedas at Markandeyar Madam for the same land measuring 3/4^th veli adjacent to the temple (Madapuram) was gifted.

The Thirukadaiyur village assembly assembled at Thiruchitrambala Velaikaran Thirumandapam and Kulothunga Chozhan Thiruveduthu Kattiya Madam.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s period inscription records that Rajaraja Eswarar was established by Arayar Rajaraja Thevar alias Vaanatharaiyar. And Jadavarman Thirubhuvana Chakravarti Veerapandya Thevar’s 14^th reign year inscription mentions the Vikrama Chozheeswaramudayar.

Land Donations

A Chozha period inscription records the endowment of feeding 17 devotees at Rajathirajan arasalai / a thirumadam,  for which land was gifted as salabhogam by Komakkudi Vijaya Rajendra Moovendhavelalan alias Pichan Adithan.

Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi Konerimaikondan, a period inscription records that he established a pooja & worship called Kulasekaran Sandhi daily to Kalakala Thevar (Lord Shiva), for which  31 Veli land at Kulothunga Chozha Karupur, which was separated from the Rajendra Chozha mangalam alias Akkur, was gifted.

A Pallava inscription consists of 3 verses in Tamil in praise of the Kadava Chief who made the ruler of the land bordering the river of Kaveri his subordinate by taking from him the tiger banner. (AR 49 of 1906)

Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya gifted 8 Veli Land. Veera Viruppanna Udayar gave a gift of  Tax income from the 100 Veli Land to this temple. The inscriptions record that Erukkattucheri, near this temple, was gifted to this temple. Many perpetual lamps were gifted to this temple. For burning perpetual lamps, lands called Nundhavillakupuram situated at Erukkattucheri were gifted to this temple. The lands with sand dunes are reformed into cultivable lands and gifted. 

The Vikrama Chozha’s 4^th reign year inscription records that Thirukadaiyur Sabha gifted 3 veli lands as archana bhogam, to the Thirukadavur Nayanar shrine established in Thillaiyali Eswaramudayar temple in Rajanarayana Valanattu Karambur Nattu Thillaiyali Nallur (Thillaiyadi). This inscription is inscribed at the Thiruvaduthurai Shiva Temple. How and what connection it was inscribed in that temple is not known.

Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya period inscription in the form of a poem/song records that a Brahmana by the name of Abath Sahayan, who participated in the  Raichur war and lived in this place, had done thirupani to this temple.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s period inscription records that the king had given the status of Nattuva Nilai to Parasivan Ponnan alias Kala Vinotha Nirutha Periyan, as per the wish of the poet Veeranthapallavaraiyar. 

The inscription in the form of a song, inscribed on the 3^rd Rajagopuram, records the beauty of this place, Thirukadaiyur, in the form of a poem by "Kalakala Eezhatharaiyan", one of the Chozha Nadu poets. (Lord Shiva's name is also Kalakala Thevar). The original inscription reads as ... 

"ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ திங்களும் வொலி அழிந்த சிந்தூரமுஞ் செங்கை நல்லாச் சங்கமும்

கொங்கை புளகமும் தாங்கித் தவன விரப்பொரங்குலில் வென்றருளுங் காலகாலன் க-

டவை வெற்பிற் பங்கயந்தெட நன்ன வாரரிப் பளிக்கறைக் கொசிலை காலகா

லன் திருக்கடவூருஞ் செழுந்தடமு மாலைக்காலுலாவிய செண்பகக் காவுமதுகரங்கள்

குலைக்காவரம்பயில் சொணாடும்...தநித்தலந் தள்ளுகின்ற அலைக்காவிரியும் இ-சை காதம் வார் என் தன்ஆரணங்கெ உ காலகாலன் ஈழத்தரையன் கவி உ. 

The Concrete mandapa interconnecting the 1^st and 2^nd Rajagopuram was built by Dr A C Muthiah, a leading Industrialist, as per his mother, Opilal Achi’s wishes.

This is one of the temples under the administrative control of Dharmapuram Adheenam. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 26^th March 1997 after renovations.

Ref:

Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy, Year 1906.

LEGENDS

This place was called Thirukadavur Veerattam, Kadapuri, Vilvaranyam, Brahmanthira thalam, Paba vimosanam, and Pinchilarayanyam ( a type of plant – not exists now) during ancient times. Bhoomadevi, Agasthiyar, Pulathiyar, Vasuki, and Durgai. Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar, Kaari Nayanar has served and got mukti in this temple, worships Lord Shiva of this Temple. This is the 108^th Shiva Sthalam where Markandeyar worshiped Lord Shiva. (The 107^th sthalam was Thirukadaiyur Mayanam)

This is the 8^th of Atta (8) Veerattanam / Veeratta Temples, where Lord Shiva kicked Yama to save Markandeya. The Atta Veeratta Sthalams are...

1. Thiru Kandiyur, where Lord Shiva plucked Brahma’s 5^th head.
2. Thirukkovilur, where Andhaksuran was vanquished.
3. Thiruvadhigai, where Lord Shiva burnt the Thirupuram ad Thiripura Samharar.
4. Thiru Pariyalur, where Lord Shiva as Veerabhadra destroyed Daksha’s yagna and killed him.
5. Thiruvirkudi, where Demon Jalandaran, who was formed from the eye drop of Lord Shiva, was killed.
6. Thiru Vazhuvur, where Lord Shiva tore Gajamugasuran
7. Thiru Korukkai, where Lord Shiva burnt Kaman, alias Manmathan, and later made him live.
8. Thirukadaiyur, where Lord Shiva kicked Yama to save Markandeya and was blessed with 16 years.

It is believed that life will be extended after conducting/celebrating their Sashtiapthapoorthi on the  60^th anniversary, Bheema Ratha Shanthi on the 70^th anniversary, Sathabhishekam on the 80^th Anniversary, Kanakabhishekam on the 90^th Anniversary Poornabhishekam on the 100^th birth anniversary. 

Amirthakadeswarar

As per the legend, the Amirtha, which came out of Thiruparkadal, Lord Shiva made the Amirtha appear in the temple tank. The Devas forgot to worship Vinayagar before taking the Amirtha pot. Angered Vinayagar hid the pot of nectar in the earth, which went into the patala loka and formed a Shiva Linga. Hence, the Shiva Linga is considered the form of Amrita, and Lord Shiva is called Amirthakadeswarar.

In another legend, Brahma went to Mount Kailash to get the Gnana Upadesa from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva gave him some bilva / Vila seeds to sow them in various places on the earth. Lord Shiva promised to give Upadesa where the seed germinates first. Thirukadaiyur is the place where the seed germinated first. Hence, this place is called Adhi Vilva Vana Nathar.

This legend is associated with the sage Markandeya. Mrigandu Maharishi and his wife Maruthuvathi prayed to Lord Shiva for a child boon. Mrigandu Maharishi did a penance to Lord Shiva. Satisfied with the Maharishi’s penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked which kind of Child he wanted, the wise and noble one who has an age of 16 years or a long life without wisdom and noble. The Maharishi asked Lord Shiva for a wise and Noble Child, and Lord Shiva blessed him as per the Maharishi’s wish.

When Markandeyar, the son of Mrigandu, was approaching the age of 16, he was informed of his death. Markandeya visited many Shiva temples and worshiped Lord Shiva. When he was going to attain the age of 16, he came to Thirukadaiyur Temple, the 108^th temple, and worshiped Lord Shiva. When Yama was throwing the Pasa rope, Markandeyar embraced the Shiva Linga. Lord Shiva got angry when the rope that Yama threw on Markandeyar touched the Shiva Linga. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of “Kala Samhara Moorthy”, kicked Yama, and blessed Markandeya with the age of “endrum 16”. Hence, Lord Shiva is called “Miruthyunjaya Murthy”.        

Stucco image of Kala Samharar

This legend is associated with Abirami Bhattar. Subramanian was a priest and an ardent devotee of Ambal Abirami. One day, when the Thanjavur Maratha King Sarabhoji-II came to the temple and asked for that day’s “thithi”. Unconsciously, the priest Subramanian replied as Pournami (Full moon day). When somebody pointed out the mistake, the angered King ordered the priest to prove otherwise; he would be killed.

The priest Subramanian surrendered to Ambal to seek her help. He also started composing hymns in praise of Ambal, known as Abirami Andhadhi. When finished composing, Ambal threw her earring / Thadangam in the sky,  which shone like a full moon. The King fell at the feet of the priest and asked him to pardon him. From then onwards, the priest Subramaniam was called Abhirami Bhattar.

Another legend is associated with Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. Kalyan, who belongs to this place, Thirukadaiyur, was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He used to worship Lord Shiva by burning the Kungiliyam (a fragrant-smelling material). He continued this service using all his wealth. When all the wealth was exhausted, he and his wife were starved out of food. His wife gave her mangalsutra and asked Kalayan to get some rice to cook. When he was on his way to sell, he found a merchant was selling the Kungiliyam. Immediately exchanged the Mangalsutra and got the Kungiliyam, went to the temple, and started worshiping Lord Shiva. Appreciating his worship and devotion, Lord Shiva filled his house with a lot of wealth, money, and food grains. Lord Shiva informed Kalayan’s wife also in her dream. Lord Shiva also instructed Kalayan to go home and take food, since he had not taken food for the past two days. When Kalayan returned home and found his house had been completely changed into wealth. Kalayan was called Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar. Later, he was responsible for straightening the Shiva Linga at Thiruppanandal.          

நீலமலி திருக்கடவூர்க் கலயனாராத் திகழ்மறையோர் பணிவறுமை சிதையாமுன்னே

தாலியைநெற் கொளவென்று வாங்கிக் கொண்டு சங்கையில் குங்குலியத்தாற் சார்ந்த செல்வர்

ஞாலநிகழ் திருப்பனந்தா ணாதர் நேரேநரபதியுந் தொழக்கச்சா னயந்து போதப்

பாலமுத மண்டாரு மாசு மெய்திப் பரித்தமுது செயவருள் பான்மையாரே

....திருத்தொண்டர் சாரம்.. குங்குலிகலய நாயனார்

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, all important Hindu festivals are celebrated in this temple. For Kalasamhara Moorthy, 11 times a year, abhishekam will be conducted on Chithirai Vishu, the 5^th and 6^th day of Brahmotsavam, Pirayachitha Abhishekam, Dakshinayana Punyakalam, Aani Uthiram, Kanya Chaturthi in Purattasi, Thura Vishu, Arudra, Uttarayana Punyakalam, Kumbha Chaturthi in Masi Maham, Chithra festival will be conducted for 18 days, 1008 Sangu Abhishekam on Karthigai Somavaram (Monday), and monthly special poojas are conducted. Special poojas are conducted on Amavasya (new moon day) and Pournami (full moon day) at Ambal Sannadhi. Special poojas are also conducted on Saturdays at Kalasamhara Moorthy.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs, and from 16.00 hrs to 21.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The temple landline number is +914364 287 429, and Gurukkal Ravisankar's mobile numbers are +91 9788843491 and +91 90037 67898 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH  

This place, Thirukadaiyur, is on the bus route from Mayiladuthurai to Tharangambadi. Buses are available from Chidambaram, Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, etc.

The temple is 21 km from Mayiladuthurai, 22 km from Karaikal, 22 km from Sirkazhi, 44 km from Chidambaram, 55  km from Kumbakonam, and 260 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Mayiladuthurai. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thirugnanasambandar on the lap of Ambal

NEW PHOTOS 

 The remains of Pallava Sculptures 

 The remains of Pallava Sculptures 

 Nandi and his consort 

 A Pallava Icon Chandikeswara

Kungulikalaya Nayanar's descendants 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---