Amirtha Kadeswarar Temple

Overview

This sivasthalam is located at about 32 Kms from Chidambaram and about 6 Kms from Kattumannarkudi. Bus services from Kattumannarkudi to Eyyalur go via Melakadambur and the temple is located within a short distance from Melakadambur bus stop.This is the 34th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar and Appar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Karakkoyil - Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Malakadambur (early name Tirukkadambur) - 608 304, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu is known by the name Karakkoil. From Tamil literary sources we learn that there are nine categories of temple structures dedicated to Lord Shiva. They are: 'Perunkoyil', 'Karakkoyil', 'Gnalarkoyil', 'Koudikkoyil', 'Ilamkoyil', 'Manikkoyil', 'Alakkoyil', 'Madakkoyil' and 'Punkoyil.'

About the Temple

The shrine is praised in the hymns of saivite saints Sundarar and Appar. It is believed that all the nine planets pray to Lord Shiva in this temple on their respective days.Accordingly, Lord Shiva is dressed with clothes of different colours attributed to the planets.The shrine is regarded as one meant to seek relief from various planetary problems faced by devotees.The Navagraha shrine is opposite to the shrine of Mother.

Mother Vidhyu Jothi Nayaki - Vidya-Saraswathi, Jothi-Mahalakshmi, Nayaki-Durga) combining the powers of three Shaktis graces as Saraswathi with Veena in the morning, with elephant as Mahalakshmi in midday and with trident as Durga in the evenings.Hence the name Vidyajothinayaki.Mother also has the name Jothi Minnammai.Those seeking wedding and child boon worship Mother with turmeric and bangles.Saint Tirunavikkarasar’s hymn dedicating himself to the service of Lord saying “My job is only to serve my Lord” was sung in this temple.Lord Vrushaba Thandavamurthi graces in a dancing form on His Nandhi-Vrushab or bull vehicle- is the procession deity with 10 hands.Special pujas are performed to Him on Pradosha days – 13th day of new moon or full moon day.His darshan is available only on this day.In the peeta-stage below are Mother Parvathi, Lord Vishnu, Bhairava, Veerabadra, Lord Vinayaka, Maharshis Narada, Brungi and Mruganda, Nandhi Deva, Gandharvas a group in the celestial world known for musical skills and Boodhaganas. Lord Vinayaka, who destroyed the pride of Indira is in a separate shrine with the name Aaravara Vinayaka as He created great noise by pressing the Rath and taking the nectar pot-Amirta Kalasa.He looks with an indignant face with head leaning left.

Place for planet Mars

Before waging His war against demon Surapanma, Lord Muruga visited this temple to worship mother and get the bow.Hence, Muruga in the temple appears with a bow. Planet Mars worshipped Lord Muruga here.Mars is a procession deity here. Lord Brhamma on the wall appears worshipping Lord Shiva. Yama the Lord of Death and his assistant Chitra Gupta are on both sides. Sage Patanjali is nearby holding Lord Nataraja on his head showing his overwhelming joy of enjoying the dance darshan of the Lord. Mother Durga appears without toe. Below Her are the Meru Mount and the Sri Chakra installed by Acharya Sankara.

About The deity

There is prime deity Amirtaketeswar in the form of Shiva Lingam in the square shaped sanctum. The idol is believed to be carved out of Navapashana (solidified compound nine poisonous subtances as per Siddha procedure). The sun rays fall on the Shiva Lingam on 3, 4 and 5 of the Tamil month Panguni (March-April) and the moon rays also fall on the Tamil month Aipasi (October-November) i.e. on Annabhishekam day. The consort is Jothiminnammai (Vidyujothi Nayaki). There is a rectangular mandapam before the sanctum.

Legend and Stories

Devas who churned the nectar ocean began to consume it without worshipping Lord Vinayaka who angrily took away the pot to teach them a lesson.When He passed through this place, once a Kadamba forest, a drop of nectar fell on the earth and it became a Swyambu Linga.Realizing their folly, Indira and Devas came here and begged Lord Vinayaka’s pardon who in turn advised them to worship Lord Shiva.Lord Shiva, responding to their prayers gave them the nectar and stayed here as Amirthakadeswarar – Amirtha-nectar, Kada the pot and Easwara the Lord.

Athithi, mother of Devas was worshipping Lord Amirthakadeswarar for granting the nectar to her children.Indira did not want to see his mother coming to this place each day and wanted to take the Lord to his Indraloka itself to help his mother.He changed the temple as a car and tried to pull it towards his place. Lord Vinayaka pressed the left wheel which got stuck to earth.Indira’s attempts failed to lift the car-temple.He begged Lord Vinayaka for help who agreed to let the temple if Indira installed a crore of Lingas. Indira took the challenge with pride but every piece got damaged.Realizing his pride, Indira fell at the Feet of Lord Amirthakadeswarar. Lord asked him to make one Shivalinga chanting His name thousand times. Indira made the Rudrakoteeswara Linga. Lord appeared before him and said that He wishes to stay here itself and do the worship for his mother. Indira obeyed.It is believed that Indira performs pujas to the Lord in this temple each day

Festivals

Shivrathri in February-March, Aipasi Annabhishekam in October-November, Arudra Darshan or Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January, feeding of Saint Gnanasambandar by Mother Parvathi in the month of Purattasi – September-October are the festivals observed in the temple.

Significance

Those facing adverse effects of Mars planet pray in this temple.Also those 60 years old (Sashti Aptha Poorthy) pray here for longevity with Homas, People facing problems due to Mars aspects pray to Lord Muruga with red vastras. Special pujas are performed to Lord Muruga on Tuesdays with Homas.

Nearby Place To Visit

Patanjaleeswarar
Thillai Kali
Swarnapureeswarar
Pralayakaleswarar
Theerthapureeswarar
Kolanji Appar

Accessibility

Road

Kattumanarkudi is 22 km from Chidambaram. The temple is 6 km from this place. Bus facility is available

Railways

Chidambaram

Airport

Chennai

Temple Address

Temple Address
Sri Amirthakadeswarar Temple,
Malakadambur-608 304. Cuddalore district