About Temple
Amirtha Kadesvarar Temple is located near Mayiladuthurai in Nagappatinam district in Tamilnadu, India. It is about twenty kilometers from Mayiladuthurai.
History
Thirugana Sambandar, Navukarasar, and Sundarar were among the sixty-three Nayanmars who sang devotional songs and hymns about this west-facing temple. Legend has it that Sri Abirami Devi manifested here from the meditation power of Sri Mahavishnu. Two of the Nayanmars, Kungilinayanar and Karinayanar, attained Moksha (mukthi) after performing Siva Thondu at this very temple. The Lord is depicted in sculptures with a raised forefinger, warning Yama to stay away. Interestingly, the Lingam bears the mark of kala paasa as well. It is believed that with Yama being rendered inactive by Lord Siva, there were no deaths on Earth during that time. Eventually, nature took its course and Yama was brought back to life by Amritaghateswarar – also known as Kala-samhara-moorthi – another name for Lord Siva.
The worship services are offered six times a day in the temple. Almost every day dawns with one celebration or another, as hundreds of pilgrims throng the temple to celebrate their 60th or 80th birthdays. It is considered very auspicious for the people to celebrate their 60th and 80th birthdays, known as Sashti Aptha poori and Sathabishekam, respectively, since they will live longer.
