Thirukkadavoor is the temple where Markandeya Maharishi received the boon of longevity to live “forever sixteen.” There are other temples where he worshipped that are also said whole life.
Mrikandu Maharishi and his wife were childless for a long time. They prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. Pleased with their devotion, the Lord blessed them with Markandeya as their son.
It is said that Markandeya was born and raised in the Thi.Manalmedu area near Thirukkadavoor. There is a separate temple for Markandeya in this village. Many devotees who perform Ayush Homa pujas in Thirukkadavoor also visit this temple and worship.
When Markandeya turned 16, Yama Dharmaraja came to take his life. Markandeya first went to the Kadhiramangalam Vanadurga Parameswari Temple near Mayiladuthurai to escape death, according to the Puranas. As instructed by the Goddess, he next went to the Mayuranathar Temple in Mayiladuthurai.
In that temple, Markandeya surrendered to Ambaayika. As per her command, he went to the Akkur temple. The Goddess’ grace protected him until then.
He then escaped from Yama by worshipping Shiva in the temples of Akkur, Kalahasteeswara, and Mathoor. Finally, in Thirukkadavoor, Markandeya embraced Shiva and attained a whole life.
In Thirukkadavoor, Shiva kicked Yama in anger. It is said that the place where Yama’s head fell is near Thalichsankadu. Later, Shiva revived Yama to maintain the world’s balance of birth and death.
It is said that the place where he revived Yama was called “Eruppi Vittaancheri,” and it is now known as “Erukkattanjcheri.”
Therefore, elders say that those who go to Thirukkadavoor and pray for longevity will benefit by visiting and worshipping the above temples.
Why did Shiva kick Yama?
We know that Parameswara kicked Yama Dharmaraja to save Markandeya. Can we kick Yama, the god of time, who came to do his duty without fail? This question may arise in many people’s minds. What is the answer to this?
If the brain is the seat of thought, the heart is the seat of emotions and desires. Everyone would like to place the Lord’s feet on their head, but Yamadharma wanted to meditate on the Lord’s feet on his chest.
He prayed to Rudra Deva daily to administer justice without succumbing to emotions and desires and for the Lord’s feet to be placed on his heart.
Markandeya became an instrument for the fulfillment of that prayer. Yama threw the noose of attachment on Markandeya. At that very moment, Markandeya embraced the Lord’s form. The noose also bound the Lord. Everything happened according to Ishvara’s will. If Markandeya had embraced the Shivlinga first, Yama would not have dared to throw his noose on the deity he worshipped.
The elders say that the Lord gave darshan to both of them, placed his feet on Yama’s heart, and fulfilled his penance by making the noose he threw on Markandeya fall on himself.
Secrets Temples In Tamilnadu To Remove The Fear of Death
Sri Gneeliwaaneshwarar Temple in Tiruppainjeeli
Tiruppainjeeli is located near Trichy. Here, in the Sri Gneeliwaaneshwarar Temple, there is a shrine for Yama. It is believed that if you come here and worship the Lord, you will get a long life, and women will get marital happiness. Like Thirukkadavoor, devotees perform Sashtiaptha Poorthi and Shatabhishekam here.
Dhandishwaram Temple in Velachery
The Dhandishwaram Temple in Velachery, Chennai, is entirely of sanctity. If you go to this temple and worship on Mondays and Pradosha days, you will be free from diseases, and your life strength will increase.
Kalasamhara Moorthi Temple In Thirukkadavoor
In Thirukkadavoor, when Deeparadhana is performed for Kalasamhara Moorthi, a silver plate that covers Swamy’s pedestal is removed and shown. There, you can see Yama lying with his head bowed. There is a Mrutyunjaya Yantra in his sanctum.
If devotees worship on their birth star day by going to Thirukkadavoor, worshipping Kalasamhara, and chanting the Mrutyunjaya Stotra, saying “Kalakandam Kalamurthim Kalakagnim Kalanasanam Namami Srasha Devam Kinno Mrutyu Karishyati…”,
