Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

LEGEND 1 - Lord Maha Vishnu wished to perform Shiva Puja before serving the nectar to Devas. According to rules Shiva Puja should be performed along with Ambica. Lord Maha Vishnu took off all his ornaments to represent Mother Ambica. She rose from these ornaments. Completing the Shiva Puja, He served the nectar to Devas. It is believed that the ornament of Lord Vishnu is the home of Mother Mahalakshmi. As Ambica-Abirami was born of the jewels, Vishnu is praised as the mother of Ambica also, though generally she is widely praised as the younger sister (Yoga Maya) of Lord Maha Vishnu.

LEGEND 2 - Lord Brahmma went to Kailash to have the Gnana Upadesa (wisdom learning). Lord Shiva gave the seeds of Vilwa tree to Brahmma and asked him to sow them in Earth in various places. Where the seed germinates within one hour into a tree shall be venue of teaching, said Lord Shiva. It happened in Thirukadayur. Shiva the teacher of Brahmma is worshipped as Adhi Vilwa Vana Nather in the temple having his own shrine.

LEGEND 3 - The Devan began to consume the nectar without offering prayers to Lord Vinayaka who simply hide the pot. They realized their folly and prayed to Vinayaka, got it from Him and placed it in this Thirudayur for Shiva Puja. When opened it was Shivalinga. As Lord Shiva appeared here as a Swayambhu linga from the Amirtha-nectar pot he is worshipped as Amirtha Kadeswarar.

LEGEND 4 - The wonderful mercy of Mother Abhirami is evident from an event that saved her devotee from capital punishment. While in deep prayer in the temple with his mind set on the graceful face of Ambica, her devotee Subramanian, when enquired about the Thithi of the day by king Sarfoji, said it was a full moon day though it was a new moon day. The king said that if he failed to prove that it was full moon day, he would be hanged. Unfazed by the order of the king, his faith completely at the feet of Ambica, Subramaniam began singing the her glory in 100 verses in Andhadhi poetic style. Andhadhi – first and last – that is the last word of the preceding verse will be the first word in the next verse. This is generally sung in 100 verses. When Subramaniam was singing the 79th verse, Mother Abhirami threw her Thadanga – ear rings in the air which shone as a full moon. This event is celebrated in the temple on the new Moon day of Tamil Thai month – January-February.

LEGEND 5 - Sage Mrigandu and his wife Maruthuvathi were praying to Lord Shiva for a child. The sage performed severe penance. The lord said that the couple would have a son who would not only be noble and wise but would live only to the age of 16. He was named Markandeya. When he entered the age of 16, his parents were sad. Knowing the problem, Markandeya took a pilgrimage to all Siva Temples. He came to Tirukadayur. This was the 108th temple of his pilgrimage. That also happened to his day of destiny. While he was praying to the lord, Deva Yama (god of death) directly came there to take his life. Seeing Yama, Markandeya embraced Lord Amirtha Kadeswara with all his might. When Yama threw his rope on Markandeya, it fell and covered lord also, who in all fury hit him and destroyed him with his trident. Turning to Markandeya, the lord blessed him saying that he would remain 16 forever. As Yama was no more, there was no death in the Earth. Mother Earth could not bear the amassed weight of beings living long without an end. She appealed to Lord Shiva telling her difficulty. Lord shed his anger and restored Yama to life in this sacred Bhoomi.