Shastiapthapoorthi Thirukadaiyur Temple, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Moolavar Markandeyar Temple, Thiru Manalmedu
Ever-16 Chiranjeevi Moolavar Markandeyar Temple
Sri Markandeyar has his own shrine near Thirukadaiyur. It is purely a saivatic temple. This shrine lies 0.5.km south-west of Thirukadaiyur in a small village known as Thiru Manalmedu. Here his parents prayed with devotion and dedication and performed a special puja to Lord Siva, for getting a male child and the Lord offered the same. In that temple, Sri Markandayar worshiped Lord Siva and performed special poojas in order to attain immortality. Lord Siva bestowed him immortality with ever sixteen age. (It is aptly said that legend has it that Lord Siva prevailed over yaksha known as yama, the God of death, to save Markandayar’s life and bestowed him immortality with ever sixteen age). In this temple he sits opposite to the Lord Siva (as a Moolavar) and blesses the visitors a long prosperous life. Thus the shrine has its own importance. It is noted that Markandayar, becomes a truthful votary of Lord Siva.
Those who have come and wish to get the blessing of Lord Amirthakadeswarar and Lordess Abirami for their prosperous life at Thirukkadaiyur, should also visit this Markandeyar's Temple for a full prosperous life and for the welfare of their family.
Here every year the priests perform an important Pooja during (Meena masam) in the last month of the Tamil year in Panguni on Ashuvathi (Ashwini) Star day, It is stated that Lord Siva has brought a pot full of holy Ganga water to his truthful votary Sri.Markandaya to purify him. He attains chastity and purity on that day onwards. The visitors who want to perform pujas to the deities they should also perform special poojas like Ganga Pooja, Swami Ambaal Thirukalyaanam (Sivan Parvathi Kalyanam), Thiruvillakku Pooja to get the blessings from of the deities. It is also stated those who perform Swami Ambaal Thirukkalyanam (Sivan Parvathi Kalyanam) to the deities for the sake of their unmarried daughter, she will get married sooner.
There is also a special Pooja performed here called Panchakshara Homam. It is meant for the welfare of the family. Those who perform Shanku Abishekam to the deities would get a disease free life.
The deities here are:-
The Lord : Sri Mirukandeshwarar
The Lordess : Maruthuvathi
Moolavar : Sri Markendayar
Ganga water from Kaasi and Varanasi is arranged here performing Abishegams (Ganga Pooja). Hence, those who want to perform Shastiapthapoorthi, Bheemaradha Shanthi and Sadhabishegam need not bring the holy water from the Ganga River. Also Mahamrithunjeya Homam, Swami Ambal Thirukalyanam, 108 Sangu Abishegam are performed here. "Puthrakameshtii Yagam" is done here for those who have no issues. "LALITHA SAHASRANAAMA HOMAM" is done here for promoting Ashta Ishwaryam in devotees family and his profession.
Also SAPTHA DRAVIYA HOMAM, PANCHA DRAVIYA HOMAM , SHODASA DRAVIYA HOMAM and other Ayush Homams are done at Thiru Markandeyar Temple. By doing this Homam, all major medical disease are cured because the Goddess / God at Manalmedu Temple (Sri Maruthuvathi Ambigaa Samedha Sri Mrigandeswara Baktha Markandeyar Sannithi) vested with more powers.
This dilapidated temple has been renovated and shaped out by the strenuous efforts of Thiru Late. T.R.Viswanatha Gurukkal. The newly reviewed temple has also got all the modern facilities. Now this temple has been looked after by the Thiru. Late. T.R.Viswanatha Gurukkal and his sons, viz,
1. Thiru. TV Ramalinga Gurukkal
2. Thiru. TV Gurumoorthy Gurukkal
3. Thiru. TV Sundaramurthy Gurukkal
4. Thiru. TV Chandramouli Gurukkal
Ever-16 Chiranjeevi Markandeyar Temple