Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple, Alagramam – Legends

Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple, Alagramam – Legends

As per legend, Mrikandu Rishi and his wife Marudmati were both devotees of Lord Shiva and worshiped him day and night for many years, asking to be graced with a child. After many years of penance, Lord Shiva appeared to 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 to be only sixteen, or a son of low intelligence who would live a long life. Mrikandu and Marudmati chose the former and were blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of sixteen.

As Markandeya grew, so did his devotion to Lord Shiva. As advised by his father, Markandeya worshipped the Shiva Lingam at Thirukkadaiyur, even bringing water from the Ganges to the temple via an underground passage. On the day he was destined to die, Yama, the deity of death, appeared with his noose to tie around the soul of Markandeya and take it with him. Markandeya sought refuge in the temple and embraced the Shiva Lingam. Shiva appeared and warned Yama not to touch Markandeya, as he was under his protection.

Yama refused to listen and threw the noose anyway, binding Markandeya and the Lingam together. Angered by Yama's extraordinary arrogance, Lord Shiva kicked him and held him under his foot, making Yama inactive. Markandeya was blessed by Shiva to remain sixteen years old eternally. Lord Shiva came to be called as Kalasamhara (destroyer of time) at this temple. Meanwhile, with Yama being rendered inactive, there were no deaths on earth, but people were still being born.

Burdened by the weight of so many people and unable to sustain their hunger, the earth goddess, Bhumi Devi, appealed to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva, feeling compassionate for the earth-goddess, released Yama, allowing death to occur again. However, in order to remind Yama never to try to kill someone while they are worshiping Lord Shiva again. Since it is believed that Lord Siva subdued Yama in Thirukkadaiyur, the Lord is called Mrityunjaya (Conqueror of Death or Victorious over Death).

Though Yama was released, he was afflicted with sin for throwing noose around Lingam. Lord Yama went on pilgrimage to various Shiva temples to get rid of this sin. Finally, he reached Alagramam and performed penance on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before him and said his sin would get relieved if Yama takes bath in River Ganga. Having said so, Lord Shiva brought River Ganga to this temple with his divine power. Hence, Lord Shiva came to  be called as Yama Dhandeeswarar. It is said that Lord Yama is under the water in the temple pond. Hence, strange sound of somebody breathing in and out from inside water can be heard inside the sanctum sanctorum.