Amrithaghateswarar: The pilgrims also throng to the ancient shrine to Shiva as Amirthaghateswarar (the lord of the pot of nectar) and goddess Abhirami, who confer freedom from ailments, and longevity. The legend of the temple goes thus: when the devas and asuras carried away the pot of the nectar, delve out from the churning of the ocean, they set it down in this kshetra in order to bathe. When they returned after taking the bathe, they found that the pot tuned into the Shiva linga. The Shiva linga was so bigger in length that from the upper levels to the nether world, its base increased in leaps and bounds. So the ‘Lord of the pot of nectar’ stayed in this Kshetra and it came to be called as ‘(thiru)divine,(Kadai)chruning(ur)place’:Thirukkadaiyur.
Ceremony of Celebrating Birthdays and Re-marriages :Pre-dating the 8th century CE, great numbers of devotees come to the temple to conduct ceremonies in connection with their 60th or 80th birthdays(these being significant according to Hindu tradition). At any given time, dozens of these celebratory homams can be seen going on in the prakarams of the temple. The couples celebrating their 50th, 60th or 75th marriage anniversary come here to tie nexus of nuptial knot again. The holy activity of getting re-married, holds a significant place in Mythology also. This ceremony is performed in large groups, all together, in which the pledge about meeting in the next births are also taken. The bride and groom celebrate this infinite relation by getting re-married again. After performing the marriage ceremony, both of the mates, take the blessing of Lord Shiva and other deities. Both the ceremonies of celebrating the birthdays as well as getting re-married with their spouse are performed on the prior registration. It can be performed at any time of the year.
It was here that the ideal son of a pious couple, Markandeya, doomed to die at 16, embraced the Lingam in the fear of death. Yama threw this rope at the boy . It fell around the Lingam . Aan incensed Shiva emerged, slew Yama and granted immortality to the Markandeya. The legend is frozen in panchaloha in the sanctum of Kaalasamharamurthi(he who destroys the time or Yama’). Do observe the idols of Shiva , the slain Yama, Shiva’s assistant Gundodhara, waiting to drag Yama’s body away, and a frightened but relieved Markandeya.
Shrine of goddess Abhirami: is in a separate enclosure in the temple. The flag staff reminds devotees of the ordeal of Abhirami Bhattar, a poet and devotee of the ordeal of Abhirami Bhattar, a poet and devotee of the goddess. The flagstaff reminds of ordeal of the goddess. Although many Nayanmars have praised the goddess in the song, Abhrami’s Bhattar’s Abhirami Bhattar’s Abhirami Andhadhi is special, both because of intrinsic beauty and circumstances of its composition. Bhattar was meditating on the moon-like radiance of the goddess’ face on an Amavasya(new moon day), when a visiting Chola king asked him what day it was. Still meditating on Abhirami’s face the poet replied without hesitation the poet replied without hesitation, “It is a full moon day!!” The incensed kind ordered him to prove that it was full moon day, or else he was to be put to death. It was near the flagstaff that the poet sat, above a pit to make the full moon appear on that dark night. As Bhattar neared the desperate end of his 100 verse Andhadhi, Goddess Abhirami flung her thadangam(earring) where it shone radiant as the full moon and her devotee was saved. The Andhadhi is read in most Tamil households even today.
Things to do while in Thirukkadaiyur
*The travelers must make a visit to the temples of Thanjavur, Navagrahasthalas, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, and Swamimalai.
*For performing ceremonies at the temples, the pilgrims must follow the dress code.
*For making a tour to the temples in the region, the travelers must book their tours in advance
*The pilgrims have to pay the Puja fees for conducting special Pujas at the temples.