Thirukkadaiyur (Thirukadavur) is a village on the east coast of Tamil Nadu, about 300 km south of Chennai and 15 km north of Karaikal. The history of the village is associated with the legends of Markandeya and Abirami Pattar. The village is centered around Amritaghateswarar - Abirami Temple of Tirukkadaiyur, which is a replica. The original temple, Thirumeignanam Gnanaparameswarar Temple, called Thirumeignanam, built in the 11th century, was ravaged by the sea, and is in ruins now. People worship and pray at Thirukkadaiyur temple for having a longer life. In modern times, the village is part of Nagapattinam district and is administered by a village panchayat. As per 2021 census, the village had a population of 6,244. The village is connected by bus transport and is located on the Chidambaram - Nagapattinam highway. There is a small seaport under the control of Tamil Nadu Maritime Board. Legend Thirukkadaiyur derives its name from the pot, called Gatam in Tamil. Vishnu, Indra, and the other Devas needed an outstanding place to consume the Amrita that had been churned during the Samudra manthan and, therefore, brought the Amrita pot here. Before consuming it, they forgot to worship Ganesha, who has to be worshiped before any great undertaking. Ganesha, hurt and offended at the unintentional slight by them, stole the pot of Amrita and hid it at Tirukkadaiyur. Ganesha created a Shiva Lingam, dedicated to his father and mother, and poured some of the Amrita over it. The Shiva Lingam at this temple is known as Amrita Ghat Eshwarar, which, translated from Sanskrit literally means "Lord who leads to immortality" ('Immortality' (Amrita) 'Step' (Ghat) 'Lord' (Eshwarar)). It is also believed that Abhirami incarnated here by the power of Vishnu. As per popular legend, near the temple of Tirukkadaiyur, there lived a sage named Mrikandu and his wife Marudmati. They were both devotees of Shiva and worshiped him day and night for many years, asking to be graced with a child. After many years of penance, Shiva appeared before Mrikandu and Marudmati. He told them that he heard their prayers and would give them a choice: they could either have a gifted son who would live only up to sixteen years, or a son of low intelligence who would live a longer life. Mrikandu and Marudmati chose the former, and were blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of sixteen.