While in deep prayer in the temple with his mind set on the graceful face of Ambica, Her devotee Subramanian, when enquired about the Thithi of the day by King Sarfoji, said it was a full moon day though it was a new moon day. The king said that if he failed to prove that it was full moon day, he would be hanged. Unfazed by the order of the king, his faith completely at the feet of Ambica, Subramaniam began singing the Her glory in 100 verses in Andhadhi poetic style. Andhadhi – first and last – that is the last word of the preceeding verse will be the first word in the next verse. This is generally sung in 100 verses. When Subramaniam was singing the 79th verse, Mother Abhirami threw Her Thadanga – ear rings in the air which shone as a full moon. This event is celebrated in the temple on the New Moon day of Tamil Thai month – January-February. Mother Abhirami grants darshan from her flowerful palanquin. These hundred songs are now celebrated as Abhirami Andhadhi chanted by devotees as a daily routine. On this festival day, this is chanted with an Arati for each song. When the 79th song is chanted a powerful electric lamp is switched on representing the full moon appearing from Her Thadangas-ear rings. Devotee crowd is naturally huge on this day.

Sage Mrigandu and his wife Maruthuvathi were praying to Lord Shiva for child. The sage performed severe penance. Lord said that the sage couple would have a son with all wisdom and noble characters but his life would too short spanning just 16 years. He was named Markandeya. When he entered the age of 16, his parents were sad. Knowing the problem, Markandeya took a pilgrimage to all Shiva Sthalas. He came to Tirukadayur. This was the 108th temple of his pilgrimage. That also happened to his day of destiny. While he was praying to Lord, Yama directly came there to take his life. Seeing Yama, Markandeya embraced Lord Amirdha Kadeswara with all his might. When Yama threw his rope on Markandeya, it fell and covered Lord also, who in all fury hit him and destroyed him with His trident. Turning to Markandeya, Lord said that he would ever be 16 only without death.

As Yama was no more, there was no death in the earth. Mother Earth could not bear the amassed weight of beings living long without an end. She appealed to Lord Shiva telling her difficulty. Lord shed his anger and restored Yama to life in this sacred bhoomi. Lord is praised as Kala Samhara Murthy. His left leg is on Adishesha the divine serpent. He is holding His trident on Yama underneath. Nearby is Gundodhara dragging Yama with a rope. But Yama is not visible during darshan. During the puja time, when the peeta is opened, we can see Yama. The darshan of Lord with trident is called Samhara style and that with Yama is called Anugraha style. Devotees can worship Lord Amirdhakadeswarar in both forms. Mother Balambika as a little girl appears with two hands with Mothers Lakshmi and Saraswathi nearby.

As the Akash Rahasya – sacred philosophy – in Chidambaram, there is a Yantra in the right wall of the shrine called Tirukadayur Rahasyam. Worshipping Lord Papa Kadeswarar and the presiding Lord, people also worship this yantra for longevity.

Yama appears in the shrine of Kalasamhara Murthy in a worshipping posture with his buffalo vahan nearby.

Markandeya brought Ganga water for his Shiva puja. To facilitate his Shiva Puja, Lord made Ganga spring in a well near the Brahmmapureeswarar temple adjacent to Thirukadavur cremation ground. Markandeya was happy to use this water for the abishek of Lord. Even today, this is the water used for abishek in the temple. Devotees are not allowed to bathe in this spring. The Ganga spring appeared on the Aswathi star day in Thai month (January-February). Devotees are allowed to bathe here only on this day each year.

It is said that a jasmine flower belonging to Pinjilam variety also came along the Ganga spring which blossoms throughout the year used only for the archana of Lord. Others cannot use it. It is also said that archana with one flower is equal to an archana with 1008 flowers.

Poornabishekam for those completing 100 years, Kanakabishekam (90 Years old), Sathabishekam (80 years), Beemaratha Shanthi (70 years) and Manivizha (60 years) are performed for longevity with Ayush Homam. In such celebrations 16 Kalasas and nine varieties of corns and pulses are placed invoking the presence of nine planets. After the rituals, the water in the Kalasas-pots is poured on the person and his wife as Prasad abishek by their relatives. This washes away any sin attached with such aged ones. Then they have to worship Lord Brahmma Pureeswarar whose temple is near the Thirukadvur cremation ground. For this celebration no day, date and auspicious time formalities are observed as they take place in the presence of Lord in the temple.

The symbol of the rope thrown around Markandeya along with Linga, is still on the Linga which would be visible during abishek times. The evening pujas in the temple begin with Lord Adhi Vilva Vana Nathar. Here is the cave tunnel used by Markandeya to bring the Ganga water for Lord’s abishk.

Devotees, according to tradition, begin their worship with Lord Papa Kadeswarar worshipped by sage Agasthya and Lord Punya Kadeswarar worshipped by Sage Pulasthya and proceed to other shrines. There is a shrine for Lord Punya Kadeswarar. Papa Kadeswarar temple is opposite this shrine with holes on the wall.

The scar caused by Yama’s rope is visible on the Shivalinga. The idol of Lord Kalasamharamurthi is made of copper expressing all anger with trident upside down on Yama, hitting him by the right leg and facing south. Many Siddhas were living around this holy place, Pambatti Siddha being prominent. There is no Navagraha shrine in the temple. Those performing pujas for Navagrahas the nine planets, offer it to Lord Kalasamharamurthi only. Of the celebrated 63 Saivite Nayanmars, Kaari Nayanar and Kungiliakalaya Nayanar attained salvation in this sacred land. Subramanian the author of Abhirami Andhadhi then known as Abhirami Pattar was also a native of this place.