Amirtha Kadeswarar Temple,
Thirukadaiyur – The Temple
This temple is facing towards west with seven tiered rajagopuram. It has another five tiered gopuram on the eastern entrance. The temple covers an area of about 11 acres and has five prakarams. There is second level five tiered gopuram at the entrance of the inner prakaram. There is a mandapam connecting the rajagopuram with second level gopuram. There is a hundred pillared mandapam immediately after the rajagopuram on the left side in the outer prakaram.
Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the second level gopuram, facing towards sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Amirtha Kadeswarar / Amirtha Lingeswarar and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested).
Though the presiding deity in the sanctum is only one lingam, a closer look at the lingam will show another reflection of the lingam. The scar from the rope being thrown around Markandeya and the lingam can still be seen on the lingam. This scar is visible only during the time of abhishekam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Bikshadana, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location.
The procession (Utsava) idol is Lord Kala Samhara Murthy. He is housed in a separate south facing shrine. This shrine is situated on the right side in maha mandapam. He is in furious form with a trident pointing downwards to Yama and with his left leg raised at Yama. His left leg is on Adisesha, the divine serpent. Bhootaganas can be seen dragging Yama with a rope. Goddess Parvathy (Balambika) is depicted as a little girl appears along with Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswathy.
Idol of Sage Markandeya can be seen adjacent to the Kala Samhara Moorthy. The lower portion of the idol that shows the actual killing of Yama is kept hidden. It is opened only during the Arati. The darshan of Lord with trident is called Samhara style and that with Yama is called Anugraha style. There is a Yantra in the right wall of the Kala Samhara Moorthy shrine.
This Yantra is called as Thirukadaiyur Rahasyam similar to the Chidambaram Rahasyam. There is a shrine for Lord Yama right opposite to the shrine of Kala Samhara Moorthy. He appears in a worshipping posture with his buffalo vahana. Mother is called as Abhirami. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine looks like a separate temple and situated on the south western corner of the outer prakaram. Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and her mount lion can be seen facing towards her shrine.
It is said that Abhirami Bhattar is believed to have rendered his famous Abhirami Andhathi in the front hall of the shrine. Maragatha Linga is kept in a safe and pooja will be conducted during early morning and evening. There is a separate shrine for Kalla Varana Pillayar in maha mandapam. He appears with the nectar pot in his hand. There is a shrine for Guhambika in the temple premises. This shrine enshrines an image of Goddess Parvathy with Lord Muruga in her right lap.
This shrine is situated next to Nataraja shrine. There is a separate shrine for Sage Markandeya worshipping in the inner prakaram. There is a shrine for Lord Vishnu in the temple premises. This shrine enshrines the images of Amirtha Narayana and his consort Amirtha Valli. The shrines of Papa Vimochanar / Papa Kareswarar worshiped by Sage Agastya and Punya Kareswarar / Punya Vardhanar worshiped by Sage Pulasthya can also be seen in the temple premises.
Devotees, according to tradition, begin their worship with Lord Papa Kareswarar worshipped by sage Agasthya and Lord Punya Kareswarar worshipped by Sage Pulasthya and proceed to other shrines. Papa Kareswarar shrine is opposite to the Punya Kareswarar shrine with holes on the wall. There is no Navagrahas shrine in this temple as Navagrahas have no power at this place. Hence, Navagraha Poojas are performed to Kala Samhara Moorthy.
Shrines of Markandeswarar, Naganatheswarar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Lakshmi, Somaskanda, Nataraja with his consort Shivagami, Vilvavaneswarar, Bhairavar, Pancha Bhooda Lingams, Bhairavar, Markandeya, Santhana Kuravarkal, Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar, Virabhadra, Suryan, Agastya, Saptha Matrikas, Utsava Idols and 63 Nayanmars can be seen in the temple premises.
Theerthams associated with this temple are Amrita Pushkarini, Kaala Theertham, Ganga Theertham and Markandeya Theertham. The well, Ganga Theertham, in Thirukadaiyur Mayanam Brahmapureeswarar Temple is believed to have water from the Ganges. Even today, the water from this well is used for performing the abhishekam to Lord Amirtha Kadeswarar. Sthala Vriksham is Pinjilam (a variety of Jasmine) and Vilvam tree. Pinjilam can still be seen in the inner prakaram.
