Keezhaiyur Kadaimudinathar Temple – History, Legends, Rituals, Festivals & Travel Guide

Location

Place: Keezhaiyur (Tirukkadaimudi), Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu
Address: Arulmighu Kadaimudinathar Temple, Keezhaiyur Post, Tarangambadi Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu
Nearby towns: Mayiladuthurai (12.7 km), Sirkazhi, Poompuhar

Main Deities

Subshrines & Features

Temple Significance

Paadal Petra Sthalam: One of the 275 Shiva temples glorified in the Tevaram hymns by Saint Tirugnanasambandar.
Divine worship: Believed that Lord Brahma worshipped Shiva here, enhancing its spiritual importance.
Cultural heritage: The temple is part of the sacred Kaveri riverbank shrines, symbolizing purity and divine energy.
Festivals: Celebrated with traditional Saivite rituals, music, and vibrant decorations.
Spiritual aura: Devotees believe worship here grants blessings of wisdom, prosperity, and liberation.

History

The temple dates back to the early medieval Chola period, reflecting the dynasty’s devotion to Shaivism.
It is mentioned in the Tevaram hymns composed by Saint Tirugnanasambandar, making it one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams (sacred sites praised in Tamil Shaivite literature).
The temple has been a center of worship for centuries, with generations of devotees visiting for blessings of wisdom and liberation.

Legends

Brahma’s Worship: According to tradition, Lord Brahma worshipped Shiva here, seeking absolution and divine grace.
Cosmic Cycles: Local lore describes the temple as a place where Shiva protects devotees even at the end of cosmic dissolution, symbolizing eternal refuge.
Name Origin: The deity is called Kadaimudinathar, meaning “Lord at the end,” signifying Shiva’s role as the ultimate refuge at the end of time.

Architecture

Sanctum (Garbhagriha): Houses Lord Shiva as Kadaimudinathar in lingam form.
Goddess Shrine: Separate shrine for Goddess Abirami (Parvati).
Mandapams: Spacious halls for rituals, festivals, and recitation of hymns.
Subshrines: Dedicated to Vinayaka, Murugan, Dakshinamurthy, Navagrahas, and other Shaivite deities.
Riverbank Setting: Built on the banks of River Kaveri, enhancing its sanctity and architectural charm.
Style: Typical Dravidian architecture with a gopuram (gateway tower), stone pillars, and intricate carvings reflecting Chola craftsmanship.

Rituals

Special Abhishekams: Performed for Lord Kadaimudinathar with sacred items like milk, honey, sandal paste, and holy water from River Kaveri.
Consort Worship: Goddess Abirami is offered special alankaram (decorations) and deepa aradhana.
Recitation of Tevaram Hymns: Shaivite saints’ hymns are sung during rituals, reinforcing the temple’s Paadal Petra Sthalam status.

Festivals

Mahashivaratri: The most important festival, marked by night-long prayers, abhishekams, and chanting.
Navaratri: Celebrated for Goddess Abirami with special decorations and cultural programs.
Pradosham: Bi-monthly ritual where devotees worship Shiva for removal of sins.
Karthigai Deepam: Temple lit with rows of lamps, symbolizing divine light.
Aadi and Thai Months: Special pujas and processions along the River Kaveri banks.
Annual Brahmotsavam: Grand festival with processions of deities on vahanams (vehicles) around the temple streets.

Beliefs

Brahma’s Worship: Devotees believe that worshipping here grants blessings of creation, wisdom, and liberation, as Lord Brahma himself prayed to Shiva at this site.
Name Significance: Kadaimudinathar means “Lord at the end,” symbolizing Shiva as the ultimate refuge even at the end of cosmic dissolution.
River Sanctity: Bathing in the River Kaveri near the temple and then worshipping Shiva is believed to purify sins.
Blessings: Devotees seek relief from karmic burdens, prosperity in family life, and spiritual upliftment.
Paadal Petra Sthalam: Being sung in Tevaram hymns, worship here is considered equivalent to visiting multiple sacred shrines.

Temple Hours

Morning: 6:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Evening: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
(Timings may vary slightly on festival days; check locally for special puja schedules.)

Getting Here

The temple is about 12–13 km from Mayiladuthurai.
Regular buses and autos are available from Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, and Poompuhar.

Nearest railway station: Mayiladuthurai Junction (well connected to Chennai, Trichy, and other Tamil Nadu towns).

Nearby Shrines: Vaitheeswaran Koil, Poompuhar, and other Paadal Petra Sthalams along the Kaveri river circuit.

Tips

Best Time to Visit: Early mornings or evenings for peaceful darshan; Mahashivaratri and Brahmotsavam are especially vibrant.
Dress Code: Traditional attire is preferred (men: dhoti/shirt; women: saree/salwar).
River Rituals: Many devotees take a holy dip in the River Kaveri nearby before entering the temple.
Local Customs: Respect the sanctity of the shrine—avoid footwear inside, maintain silence in sanctum areas.
Food & Stay: Mayiladuthurai town offers lodging and vegetarian eateries; plan a half-day trip covering nearby temples.
Photography: Allowed only in outer prakaram (courtyard); avoid inside sanctum.
Accessibility: The temple is relatively small and easy to navigate, suitable for elderly devotees.