Many years ago in South India there was one devotee of Goddess Abirami called Subramanian in Tirukkadaiyur, Tamilnadu. He had deep devotion towards the Mother, indulging in doing Pooja i.e., showering of flowers at the feet of others imagining that they are the goddess of Abirami. The deep love he had on this goddess made him to assume the other living females are none but goddess Abirami.
One day King Saraboji visited the temple when devotee Subramanian was meditating about Goddess Abirami. The king was provoked seeing subramanian’s ignorance about the king’s arrival. The king asked who that fellow was. One man told that he was mad thinking the other ladies as Amman and used to shower flowers on them. The priest told no! He was a deep devotee of Goddess Abirami.
The king wanted to test who he is. So he asked Subramanian whether today is new moon day or full moon day. At that time Subramanian was in eternal bliss of universal mother enjoying mother’s beautiful face surrounded with thousands of sun lights. So Subramanian answered the king that the day was full moon which was actually a new moon day. Hence the king ordered to push him in burning fire at evening 6 ‘o’ clock if the moon didn’t appear.
After sometime, the king’s army awakened Subramanian and called him to come with them, to fulfill the punishment. Returning to his consciousness, Subramanian realized that Goddess Abirami alone made him to say it was a full moon day when it was really a new moon day.
Burning Fire with rays is beneath him and Subramanian was on the top, inch by inch moving down by the forces. Realizing that Amman alone can save him, he started singing 100 songs on Abirami (the so called Abirami Anthathi) and prayed her to come to his rescue.
While singing the 79th song stating that Her merciful eyes have got superpower and she is an ocean of blessing with no limits. Immediately Annai Abirami appeared before him and threw her ear-ring in the sky which appeared as moon for full night.
The king was immensely pleased on his devotion and honored him by calling him Abirami Patter and became a disciple to Abirami Patter.
What we come to know from this is that god alone is all pervading superpower and immortal. All other worldly creatures are not perennial. If you are really interested to see Him you are supposed to do meditation and prayers that too in the early morning ie. morning 3 am to 5 am. God is great.
Also read the story of Markandeyan who conquered death with the help of the divine that took place in Thirukkadaiyur in Tamilnadu.
Some Interesting facts
Abirami Pattar’s name was Subramaniam. Since he got the grace of goddess Abirami the king Saraboji named him as Abirami Pattar.
Every year during the Tamil month of thai during the new moon day Abirami Pattar festival is celebrated at Thirukadaiyur even nowadays.
Abirami Pattar’s father was Amirthalinga aiyar. His son was called Subramaniyam who was later called as Abirami Pattar. Abirami Pattar’s son was also named Amirthalinga aiyer. After him it was Ramaiya and then it was Subramanian. Their successor today is Narayanasami aiyer’s son Amrita Barathi. It seems his age as of now is 70 and he doesn’t have any issues.
Abirami Pattar wrote the following
1. Abirami anthathi (100+1+1 songs total) 2. KaLLavaranar pathigam - 10 songs 3. Amirthakadeswarar pathigam - 10 songs 4. Kala samhara moorthy pathigam - 10 songs 5. Murugu venba - 10 songs 6. Abirami ammai pathigam - 22 songs
King Saraboji not only gave the name “Abirami Pattar” but also lands, gold and also a surname “barathi” for Abirami Pattar’s generations.
Abirami Pattar had always remained aloof and received hatred from the temple priests and officials in his earlier days.
The 70 year old successor of Abirami Pattar living today, Amrita Barathi was also born on the Tamil month of thai during new moon day. His birth star is thiruvonam.
Madhavi, the second heroine in the story silapathigaram, with whom Kovalan had an affair, was also born in Thirukadaiyur. Today Madhavi’s house is used as panchayath office.
There is also an olden vaishnavite temple in Thirukadaiyur. The gods in this temple are Amrita Narayanar and Amrita Valli.
The fourth house in the street “melvalaga theru” is where Abirami Pattar lived. This house was later bought by Sivaprakasa Desikar which is used by none and remains locked even today.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: Sri Amirtha kadesvarar temple is located in Thirukadiyur which is near Mayiladuthurai in Nagappatinam district in the state of Tamilnadu, India. It is around twenty kilometers from Mayiladuthurai. It is situated in the chidambaram- Nagappatinam East Coast Road.
HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE: There are a few temples that are well known for the Lord and his Consort and Tirukkadaiyur is one among them.
The Amritaghateswarar - Abirami Temple of Tirukkadaiyur is associated with the legends of Markandeya and Abirami patter. When devas and Asuras churned parkadal to get Amirtham , they forgot to Worship Lord Ganesa (Sri vinayagayar), Lord Ganesa stole the pot of Amirtham and kept at Thirukadiyur, it is believed that the Sivalingam in this temple is made of Amirtha Kudam . Since the pot of Amirtham was hidden here, the lord Ganesa is called “Kailavarna pilliyar”. Markandeya, son of sage Mrikandu was predicted to live for only 16 years. As advised by his father, Markandeya worshipped Amritaghateswarar in Tirukkadaiyur, bringing the water from Ganges through an underground passage to the temple. On the destined day, Yama appeared with his noose, kala paasa . Markandeya sought refuge in the Lord and embraced the Siva Lingam. The Lord warned Yama not to touch Markandeya as he was under his protection. Yama did not listen and threw the noose that bound Markandeya and the Lingam together. Angered by this act of rashness, the Lord kicked him with the left leg and held him under his left foot, making him inactive. Markandeya was blessed with Ever sixteen . Abirami patter has sung 100 hymns about Goddess Abirami. This is called Abirami Anthathi. The last word of previous song will be the first word of the next song. It is known as Andhathi in Tamil poetric literature.
Book Cover DIVINESS OF THE TEMPLE:Thirugana sambandar, Navukarasar and Sundarar have sung devotional songs, hymns about this temple, this temple faces West Side. It is believed that Sri Abirami Devi was evolved here from the meditation power of Sri Mahavishnu. Among sixty-three Nayanmars, Kungilinayanar and Karinayanar performed siva thondu and attained Moksha (mukthi) here. Images in the temple depict the Lord with a raised forefinger, warning Yama . The mark of the kala paasa is visible on the Lingam. With Yama being rendered inactive, there were no deaths on earth. As nature should have its way, the Kala-samhara-moorthi, the other name by which Amritaghateswarar is known - Lord Siva brought God Yama to life. It is here that the significance of 'kicking with the left leg' is spoken about.Had he desired to quell Yama forever, He would have held him under his right leg - as in the case of Muyalaka . The very fact that he used his left leg points to the fact that he intended it as a punishment for an act of rashness and not otherwise.
AUSPICIOUS TIMES: The worship services are offered six times a day in the temple. Almost every day dawns with one celebration or other, as hundreds of pilgrims throng the temple to celebrate their 60th or 80th birthdays.celebration of 60th and 80th birth days (birth star) called as Sashti Aptha poorthi and Sathabishekam respectively is held very auspicious by the people as their longevity will increase. The annual 'Brahmotsavam' is celebrated in the month of Chithirai (April-May); the 'Shankhabishekam' celebrated in the month of Kartikai (November-December) is also of great importance here. Few other festivals being celebrated over here include Navaratri and 'Aadi Pooram' .
POOJAS TO BE PERFORMED FOR: It is believed that Lord Siva dimnished Kalan (Yaman) in Thirukadiyur. So Lord Siva in Thirukadiyur is called Mritunga jaya murthi . Devotees completing 59 years and starting sixty have to perform Ukira ratha Santhi ; completing sixty years and starting sixties have to perform Sashtiyapatha purthi . Completing sixty-nine years and starting seventy have to perform Beema ratha santhi. Starting eighty has to perform Sathabishekham and Ayusha homam. According to astrology devotees can perform Mrutinji jaya homam.
POOJA TYPES AND TARIFF: Poojas listed here are applicable for this temple only.The tariff shown are not actual cost payable to the temple. It includes our service charge, cost of pooja items and Delivery charges.
Most of the temples are known either by the name of the Lord or His Consort. Nataraja is the name that rings in the mind when the word Chidambaram is uttered. Similarly, the name Madurai brings memories of Meenakshi. However, there are a few temples that are well-known for the Lord and his Consort and Tirukkadaiyur is one among them. The Amritaghateswarar - Abirami Temple of Tirukkadaiyur is associated with the legends of Markandeya and Abirami Battar.
Situated in the Mayavaram - Tarangampaadi branch of the Southern Railway, Tirukkadaiyur is a railway station about 250 km. from Chennai. It falls under one of the eight Veeratta Sthalams of Lord Shiva.
The temple In line with the grand temple architecture of the Cholas, the Temple occupies a very vast area of 11 acres, with five Prakarams, imposing temple towers and large and spacious Mandapams. Though the details of the king who consecrated the temple could not be ascertained, it is seen from the inscriptions in the temple that it has been in existence during the period of Raja Raja Cholan, that is, from the early 11th century.
It is a grand temple with 5 Prakarams, imposing towers and ornate Mandapams covering an area of 11 acres. Based on the inscriptions seen here, it is inferred that the stone base of the central shrine was in existence even during period of Raja Raja Cholan (early 11th century). It was during the period of Kulottunga Chola I (1075 - 1120) that the brick walls of the temple were replaced with stonewalls and the Mandapam in the front was constructed. The Rajagopuram is replete with images made of mortar, depicting the legends associated with the temple.
Death put to death Markandeya, son of sage Mrikandu was predicted to live for only 16 years. As advised by his father, Markandeya worshipped Amritaghateswarar in Tirukkadaiyur, bringing the water from Ganges through an underground passage to the temple. The passage is in existence to this day, to a depth of a flight of 20 steps. On the destined day, Yama appeared with his noose, kala paasa. Markandeya sought refuge in the Lord and embraced the Shiva Lingam. The Lord warned Yama not to touch Markandeya as he was under His protection. Yama did not listen and threw the noose that bound Markandeya and the Lingam together. Angered by this act of rashness, the Lord kicked him with the left leg and held him under His left foot, making him inactive.
Images in the temple depict the Lord with a raised forefinger, warning Yama. The mark of the kala paasa is visible on the Lingam. With Yama being rendered inactive, there were no deaths on earth. As nature should have its way, the Kala-samhara-moorthi, the other name by which Amritaghateswarar is known - Lord Shiva brought Death to life. It is here that the significance of 'kicking with the left leg' is spoken about. Had He desired to quell Yama forever, He would have held him under His right leg - as in the case of Muyalaka. The very fact that He used His left leg points to the fact that He intended it as a punishment for an act of rashness and not otherwise.
Since Death was conquered at Tirukkadaiyur, it is not unusual to see couples who have celebrated their sashti-abta-poori (completion of 60 years) and sadhabishekam (completion of 80 years) make it a point to have a darshan of the Kala-samhara-moorthi.
The 'New' Moon Abirami Battar lived during the rule of King Serfoji (Sarabhoji). He was completely devoted to the Consort of Amritaghateswarar, Abirami. He would sit in meditation and in the blissful state of trance for hours - sometimes days - together in the presence of the Mother.
King Serfoji, who had visited the temple, saw this temple priest, who was lost in himself and did not even stand up as an elementary mark of respect to the King. Abirami Battar was at that moment meditating and was immersed in the vision of the luminous visage of the Divine Mother. The king was annoyed with Battar for not showing the respects due to him and enquired about him with the persons standing close by. Unfortunately, he was told that 'this fellow' was a fraud.
The King then approached Abirami Battar and asked him for the tithi (lunar day) of that day. It was new moon day. Since the mind of Abirami Battar was filled with the luminescent vision of the Mother, he - even without opening his eyes - said that it was full moon day.
The King was angered by this answer and he thought that he had a clue to the 'true bearings' of this fraud. 'If there is no full moon rising this evening,' he warned Battar, 'you will be put to death.' Abirami Battar was told what had happened only after he opened his eyes after a long time, from his meditation. Poetry, evocative, moving and having the power to melt the hearts of all, flowed from him right from that moment. He sang a hundred verses in praise of Abirami. The verses are known as Abirami Antadhi, a unique kind of poetry that begins with the last foot - or a portion of it - of the previous verse. And the last foot of the last verse would end with the first foot of the first line of first verse. The Mother took Her earring and threw it in the sky. That shone in the sky brighter than the full moon.
King Serfoji realised the greatness of Abirami Battar. Despite the refusal of Battar, he had documented his command on copper plates to donate one-hundredth part of his revenue from all villages to him and his successors. The copper plate is still in possession of the successors of Abirami Battar.
There are three temple tanks - Theertham - known as 'Amrita Pushkarini', 'Kaala Theertham' and 'Maarkandeya Theertham'.
The worship services are offered six times a day in the temple. Almost every day dawns with one celebration or other, as hundreds of pilgrims throng the temple to celebrate their 60th or 80th birthdays.
The annual 'Brahmotsavam' is celebrated in the month of Chithirai (April-May); the 'Shankhabishekam' celebrated in the month of Kartikai (November-December) is also of great importance here. Few other festivals celebrated over here include Navaratri and 'Aadi Pooram'.