Abirami Ambal
Abirami Ambal, the divine consort of Amrutha Kadeshwarar, is worshipped in Thirukadaiyur as the embodiment of Shakti—radiant, compassionate, and ever-protective. She is revered as a powerful goddess who grants wisdom, removes fear, and blesses her devotees with health, courage, and long life. Often depicted in a benevolent form, she is also hailed as Abirami Anandha Nateswari, who dances in joy and grace alongside Lord Shiva.
Her shrine stands alongside Lord Shiva’s in Thirukadaiyur, emphasizing the inseparable nature of divine energy (Shakti) and consciousness (Shiva). Devotees offer special prayers to Abirami Ambal, especially during Navaratri and full moon days, seeking her motherly blessings and grace for protection and fulfillment.
Abirami Sthothram
नमस्ते ललिते देवि श्रीमत् सिंहानेश्वरि
भक्तानाम् इष्टदे मात: अभिरामि नमोऽस्तुते
Namasthe lalithe, devi srimad simhasaneswari,
Bhakthanam ishtathe, mata sri Abhirami namosthuthe
Abirami Anthathi - Verse 1
உதிக்கின்ற செங்கதிர், உச்சித்திலகம், உணர்வுடையோர்
மதிக்கின்ற மாணிக்கம், மாதுளம் போது, மலர்க்கமலை
துதிக்கின்ற மின்கொடி, மென்கடிக் குங்கும தோயமென்ன
விதிக்கின்ற மேனி அபிராமி என்தன் விழித்துணையே.
utikkiṉṟa cĕṅkatir, uccittilakam, uṇarvuṭaiyor
matikkiṉṟa māṇikkam, mātul̤am potu, malarkkamalai
tutikkiṉṟa miṉkŏṭi, mĕṉkaṭik kuṅkuma toyamĕṉṉa
vitikkiṉṟa meṉi apirāmi ĕṉtaṉ viḻittuṇaiye
Sthala Puranam
It is believed that Goddess Parvati herself took the form of Abirami Ambal and resides in Thirukadaiyur to bless devotees with the strength to overcome life’s challenges. According to temple lore, during the time when the Devas brought the amrutha ghatam to Thirukadaiyur, Abirami Ambal sanctified the space with her presence and energy, ensuring that the nectar would grant not only physical immortality but spiritual liberation. Her presence thus reinforces the temple’s central message of conquering fear and transcending death.
The Story of Abirami Bhattar
Abirami Bhattar, born as Subramaniam, was a deeply devoted saint of Thirukadaiyur, known for his unwavering love for Abirami Ambal. Entirely immersed in the goddess’s form, he saw every woman as the Divine Mother and lived in a constant state of spiritual ecstasy. While many recognized him as a saint, others misunderstood his devotional behavior.
One day, King Saraboji visited the temple and noticed Subramaniam in deep meditation, apparently unaware of the king’s presence. When asked about him, some priests dismissed him as a mad man, while others spoke of his sincere devotion. Curious and wanting to test him, the king asked Bhattar what tithi (lunar day) it was. Envisioning only the glowing face of Ambal, Bhattar replied that it was a full moon day, though it was in fact a new moon day.
Believing he had been insulted or mocked, the king ordered that Bhattar be burned on a wooden pyre at dusk if the moon did not appear. As the flames rose around him, Bhattar, fully surrendered to Ambal, began singing verses in her praise. These 100 verses became the sacred Abirami Anthadhi, a devotional masterpiece in Tamil literature.
As he reached the seventy-ninth verse, Abirami Ambal appeared in divine form and threw one of her earrings into the sky, where it shone as brilliantly as the full moon. Awestruck by this miracle, King Saraboji fell at Bhattar’s feet, begged for forgiveness, and accepted him as his spiritual teacher.
To this day, Abirami Bhattar is venerated in Thirukadaiyur, especially on Thai Amavasya (new moon day in the Tamil month of Thai), when the Abirami Anthadhi is recited with devotion, celebrating the goddess’s grace and her devotee’s unwavering faith.