Thirukadavur-The Grace That Lengthens Your Longevity ...Contd

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Legend 2
Another alluring story that is a part of the legend of Thirukadavur is the story of Abirama Battar, the author of the much acclaimed Abirami Andhadhi. It is said that Abirama Battar's original name was Subramaniyam. He was a great devotee of mother Abirami. Abirama Battar was a brahmin and a pundit engaged in the vocation of guiding people with the description of days, favourable and unfavourable times for commencing important events etc with the help of an almanac.

A very virtuous person who was always lost in the thoughts of Mother Abirami, his speckless devotion attracted the envy of some. They thus to cause trouble for Battar, gave false informations to the then ruling king Saraboji. The king hence asked Battar the description of the day as to whether it was a full moon day or a no moon day. Battar whose mind was lost with Abirami came up with the wrong answer that it was a full-moon day which actually was a no moon day.

The king in his fury commanded to slay Battar for coming up with the wrong answer. Hence Battar sat on a suspended platform supported by hundred ropes under which a huge pyre was raised. His only hope was Mother Abirami and his devotion took shape of hundred songs. At the completion of each stanza he cut a rope to end his life at the end of the hundredth song. Mother Abirami's heart melted for his devotion and she delayed not a moment to throw one of her earrings towards the sky that shone as the moon on a no moon day thereby saving the life of Her ardent devotee. Is She not the cooling radiance of the moon that lights our path darkened by despair and delusion? It was from henceforth that the devotee acquired the name Abirama Battar.

Abirami Andhadhi is a wonderful composition written in the Andhadhi pattern with the commencing of each para with the ending word of the previous para. It is still sung and chanted in devotion in many Tamil homes.

About the Temple
Thirukadavur is found in Nagapattinam district of South India and is close to Tanjore. It is one of the 8 Veeratta Sthalams ( Temples) of Shiva. Since the Lord had slain Yama, the Lord of Death here, it is a belief that the lifespan of a person is lengthened when worship is offered here. Amrita Pushkarini., Kaala Theertham and Maarkandeya Theertham are the tanks found in the temple.

Method of Worship
The 'Sankabishekam' is a popular form of worship here and is believed that Markandeya had worshipped Shiva this way. Couples perform rituals at the completion of their sixtieth year in this temple , imploring the Lord to lengthen their lifespan.

Hence lets hail Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati in the form of Amrithaghateshwarar and Abirami in our hearts to guide us to the placid shores not to be drowned in the troubled waters of life.