திருக்கடையூர் அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர் – அபிராமி கோயில்Thirukkadaiyur Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple

Sthala Mahātmyam

The Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple at Thirukkadaiyur, about 21 km east of Mayiladuthurai, is the Ashta Veerattanam shrine of Kala Samhara. Here Shiva burst forth from the lingam to save the boy-sage Markandeya, destined to die at sixteen, kicking down Yama the god of death and granting the devotee eternal youth — earning the names Kalantaka and Kalasamhara Murti. The presiding deity is Amritaghateswarar (Amirthakadeswarar), 'Lord of the pot of nectar,' with his consort as the celebrated Abirami, subject of Abirami Pattar's hymn Abirami Anthadhi. Because Shiva here conquered death, the temple is renowned for Sashtiabdapoorthi and Bheemaratha Shanti — the 60th and 80th year longevity and re-marriage rites performed for elderly couples. It is a Paadal Petra Sthalam praised in the Tevaram, with a separate shrine for Markandeya. Chief festivals include the Chittirai Brahmotsavam, the Kartikai Sankabhishekam of the Goddess, Navaratri, and Aadi Pooram.