Thirukkadaiyur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
type = City
native_name = Thirukkadaiyur
state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Nagapattinam
latd = 11 |latm = 4 |lats = 27
longd= 79 |longm= 48 |longs= 31
locator_position = left
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Thirukkadaiyur is a temple town on the east coast of Tamil Nadu, about 300 kilometers south of Chennai. The original temple, "Thirukkadaiyur Mayanam" now called "Thirumeignanam" built in circa 11th century A.D. was ravaged by sea and is in ruins now. Another temple on identical plan was built later and is now thronged by people who pray for long life.

This is one of the holy places of Saivism today. Legend has that "Mrikandu", a sage and devotee of Lord Siva, prayed to God to bless him with a son. God appeared and gave him a choice to select the type of child he wanted - A honest responsible and virtuous son who will live only for 16 years or a son who would live for 100 years but whose behavior is bad. "Mrikandu" chose the former. The boy, named "Markandeya" also grew up to be an ardent devotee of Siva. The destined time came. When "Yama" tried to snatch the life of the boy, "Markandeya" went to the temple and clutched at the Siva Lingam in a bid to escape death. Pleased by the boy's belief, Siva rescued him from death.

It is possible that this legend was created as there was a conflict between the worship of "Yama" and the newly emerging brahminised form of the Lord and the latter sect won. Interestingly, the temple has an appellation as "Mayanam" which in Tamil means crematorium.