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.