Friday, May 4, 2018

Kadai Pillai Ayyanar Temple, Melur, Srirangam, Trichy

Kadai Pillai Ayyanar Temple, Melur, Srirangam, Trichy
Kadai Pillai Ayyanar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Sastha located in Melur Village near Srirangam Town in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. The temple is more than 2000 years old. The temple is situated on a serene outset where a crossover bridge is placed amidst the River Cauvery.


Legends
Kadaipillai Ayyanar:
The legend has it that, many hundred years ago a small bird called Kadai Kuruvi, used to take bath in the river and sit on a particular mound every day without fail. People of this region were amused by its behavior, so, one day they started digging the mound and were startled to find the statue of Ayyanar in yogic posture. After their encounter people named the Ayyanar as Kadaipillai Ayyanar, as it was found by Kadai bird. Later on, they erected a small temple for this god and revere it as their guardian angel.
Huge effigy of elephants and horses:
Yet another fascinating thing about this temple is that, once the king Karikala Cholan went in this area in search of perfect spot to build Kallanai dam. As he and his army men reached this temple, none of their elephants and horses moved. Suddenly one of the soldier got possessed by Ayyanar, and he said that, “I’m fond of your elephant and horses, if you give me few of these, I will help you in your search”, hearing this Karikalan readily accepted to satisfy Ayyanar’s wish and later on, all their elephants and horses started moving. As per he said, Karikalan built a huge effigy of elephants and horses before Kadai pillai Ayyanar, still now the statues are there.
The Temple
This temple is small but lovely, sitting majestically on the banks of River Cauvery. People from nearby village visit this temple before commencing long journeys or any festivals. The magnificent sculptures of an Elephant and a Horse stands right at the entrance stirring our spiritual focus to the deity. Lord Ayyanar is worshiped here as the main deity. This Lord is considered as the custodian deity of Melur inhabitants.


Just opposite to the shrine of Kadaipillai Ayyanar, there is a statue of Karuppanna swami. This statue is known for its fierce look, the eyes of this god is embellished with a precious stone, which seems to look at you directly. There is small statue of Lord Ganesha near Kadai pillai Ayyanar. Vegetarian food is offered to kadai pillai Ayyanar whilst goats, and hens are offered to Karuppanna Swami.


Shrines of Manavala Mamuni, Ekambra Nadhar, Kamakshi Amman, Katha Parimanachami, Chivandhiyandi Konar, Madurai Veeran and Periyannachami can also be found in this Temple. The priests of this temple belong to one family (Konar) and other than them no one does pujas to the God. They believe that Ayyanar himself chose this family to do his daily rituals.


Festivals
Every year a special festival takes place in this temple, people having Kadai pillai Ayyanar as their guardian deity must attend this at any cost. At the end of the festival, the chamiadi (prophet) of this temple get possessed by the Ayyanar and tells the date of next year’s festival.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Srirangam Ranganathar Temple, 4 Kms from Srirangam Railway Station, 7 Kms from Trichy Chatram Bus Stand, 12 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 12 Kms from Trichy Railway Station, 13 Kms from Trichy and 16 Kms from Trichy Airport.