Amirthagateswarar Abhirami Temple

AMRTHAGATESWARAR-ABIRAMI TEMPLE-THIRUKADAIYUR

INTRODUCTION

Amirthagateswarar Abhirami Temple is an ancient Shiva temple, and in this temple Lord Shiva is called as Amirthagateswarar, since he saved his devotee Markandeya from the clutches of the death god Lord Yama, and made him to become a Chiranjeevi. In this temple, Mata Parvati is worshipped as Abhirami. It is located in Thirukkadaiyur, Tamil Nadu.

In the Shaivite Tamil text Tevaram, the songs sung by the Nayanmar saints at this temple are mentioned.  The temple contains shrines of various other gods and goddesses, apart from the main shrines of Amirthaghateswarar and Abhirami. The temple timings are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and festivals are also celebrated in a grand manner. The temple was built by the Chola king during the 9th century AD, and it was further renovated by the ruler of Thanjavur. The temple is under the control of the Dharmapuram Aadhenam. It is believed that by worshiping Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Bhakta Markandeya in this temple, we would be relieved from death related fears and would get a long life, strong body and a sound mind. Those who suffer from various doshams like Navagraha doshams and Pitru doshams are suggested to visit this temple, and to perform abhishekhams to Shiva and Parvati.

During the 16^th Century AD, a devotee whose name was Subramanian was served as a priest in this Temple, and once when the king Saraboji arrives at the temple, due to the deep thoughts on Mata Abhirami, Subramanian didn’t give respect to the king, and kept on singing songs on Mata Abhirami. The king was very angry with him, and finally due to the grace of Mata Abhirami, he had understood the true devotion of Subramanian, he realized his mistake and asked apology to Subramanian, who was later called as Abhirami Pattar.

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WRITTEN BY

R.HARISHANKAR