The Temple Where Time Stood Still

Transcript

Evidence labels distinguish sourced context from the episode's fictional story.

1. Welcome to Banyan Stories. Tonight, Mira and Kannan are snuggled on the sofa under one big blanket, with two mugs of warm milk. Outside, the Canadian night is dark, and the wind is giving the window a little tap, tap, tap. Kannan pulls the blanket right up to his nose. Mira smiles. 'It's only a branch, Kannan,' she says. 'Here's a better idea. Let's go on a story-trip. A faraway temple, a brave boy, and a very kind God. Ready?' Kannan peeks over the blanket and nods. 'Ready,' he whispers. 'But can I keep my toes covered?' 'Toes stay covered,' says Mira. 'Close your eyes, and let's fly.'

   Evidence:Fictional scene

2. Our story begins far across the world, in India. In the south, on the east coast of Tamil Nadu, there is a little temple town called Thirukkadaiyur. Some people spell it Thirukadavur. The sea is close by. If you were travelling from the big city of Chennai, you would go about three hundred kilometres south. And if you were standing in the nearby town of Karaikal, you would only need to go about fifteen kilometres north, and there you would be. Imagine a warm, salty breeze, palm trees swaying, and the sound of temple bells floating over the rooftops.

   Evidence:Supported

3. 'Is it warm there?' asks Kannan, wiggling his toes under the blanket. 'Warmer than here,' says Mira. 'Much warmer. Hold on to that warm feeling, because we're going to need it. We're about to walk into the temple.' 'Is it a big temple?' 'Big enough for a very big story,' says Mira. 'Listen.'

   Evidence:Fictional scene

4. The temple in Thirukkadaiyur is called the Amritaghateswarar and Abirami Temple. It is very famous. People connect it with two old stories, the story of a boy named Markandeya, and the story of a devotee named Abirami Pattar. Tonight we will hear about Markandeya. This temple is thought of as one of the holy places of Saivism, which means the path of people who love and worship Lord Siva. So when families go there, they feel they are visiting a very special place.

   Evidence:Supported

5. Now, in the way this temple tells it, there once lived a boy called Markandeya. Markandeya was no ordinary boy. He loved Lord Siva with all of his heart. Every day, his thoughts turned to Siva, the way a sunflower turns toward the sun. When other children ran off to play, Markandeya's heart was still near his God. His belief was bright and strong, strong as a lamp that never goes out.

   Evidence:Supported

6. But, as the story goes, every life has a time that has been set for it. And for Markandeya, that day came. The air grew very still. The birds stopped singing. In the hush, Yama, the lord of death, arrived. Yama is the one who, in the old stories, comes when a life's set time has run out. And in this tale, he came to take the boy's life. Everything went quiet, as quiet as a snowy night.

   Evidence:Supported

7. 'Mira,' says Kannan in a very small voice, 'is the boy going to be okay?' Mira squeezes his hand. 'Kannan, listen to me. This story has a happy ending. A very happy one. Nobody is going to be hurt tonight, not in this story, and not in our living room. The boy has someone watching over him. Keep your toes covered, and let's find out how.'

   Evidence:Fictional scene

8. So what did Markandeya do? He did not run away. He did not hide. He went to the temple, and he reached out, and he held on tight to the Siva Lingam, the sacred stone form of Lord Siva. He clutched it close, and he trusted. And Siva was pleased by the boy's belief. Siva came to rescue him. With a voice both strong and kind, Siva ordered Yama not to take Markandeya. And Yama listened. The boy was safe. The bells rang out, and the whole temple glowed with joy.

   Evidence:Supported

9. And because of this story, something lovely happens at this temple even today. People go there to celebrate long, healthy life. Birthdays are very famous at this temple, especially the big ones. There is a celebration for a sixtieth birthday, called Shastiapthapoorthi. There is one for a seventieth birthday, called Bhimaradha shanthi. And there is one for an eightieth birthday, called sadabishegam. There are also special fire worships for long life, called Ayul Shanthi. Families, in this part of South India, come to this temple for these celebrations. It is something this one temple is known for.

   Evidence:Supported

10. 'So it's a birthday temple!' says Kannan, sitting up so fast the blanket slides off. 'Sort of,' Mira laughs. 'A long-life birthday temple.' 'Mira, Grandpa is going to be seventy! Do you think he'd like a temple?' Mira thinks. 'I think Grandpa would like a phone call from you first. And maybe a very big hug.' Kannan grins. 'I can do both. I'm very good at hugs.'

    Evidence:Fictional scene

11. The tap, tap, tap at the window comes again. Kannan listens. Then he giggles. 'It's the branch,' he says. 'Just the branch. It's saying hello.' 'Maybe it wants a story too,' says Mira. They sit quietly for a moment, thinking about the boy who held on, and the God who answered, and the little temple town by the sea, with its bells ringing in the warm night.

    Evidence:Fictional scene

12. Now here's a question to talk about together. Markandeya held on tight to something he loved when he felt afraid. What helps you feel safe when the night feels big? Maybe it is a hug, a song, or a favourite blanket. Turn to the person beside you and tell them.

    Evidence:Fictional scene

13. 'Goodnight, Mira,' says Kannan, yawning a huge yawn. 'Goodnight, Kannan,' says Mira. The warm milk is finished, the blanket is snug, and the story is tucked into their dreams. Goodnight from Banyan Stories. Sleep well, and see you next time.

    Evidence:Fictional scene

Source notes

These notes show what a source supports. They do not turn fictional dialogue or scenes into historical claims.

• Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Thirukkadaiyur

  Karaikal District Administration (Govt. of Puducherry UT)

  Evidence:Supported

  Long-life birthday observances are very famous at this temple: Shastiapthapoorthi (60th birthday), Bhimaradha shanthi (70th), and sadabishegam (80th). Ayul Shanthi fire worships are also mentioned as famous here.

  Claims: c4 · Evidence: e119-long-life-birthday-rites-v1

  View the registered source

• Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Thirukkadaiyur

  Karaikal District Administration (Govt. of Puducherry UT)

  Evidence:Supported

  In the temple tradition, the boy Markandeya was an ardent devotee of Siva. When his destined time came, Yama, lord of death, tried to take his life. Markandeya clutched the Siva Lingam in the temple. Siva, pleased by his belief, rescued him and ordered Yama not to take him.

  Claims: c3 · Evidence: e119-markandeya-and-yama-v1

  View the registered source

• Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Thirukkadaiyur

  Karaikal District Administration (Govt. of Puducherry UT)

  Evidence:Supported

  Thirukkadaiyur (also spelled Thirukadavur) is a temple town on the east coast of Tamil Nadu, about 300 km south of Chennai and 15 km north of Karaikal. The Amritaghateswarar and Abirami Temple at Thirukkadaiyur is linked in tradition with the legends of Markandeya and Abirami Pattar. It is regarded as one of the holy places of Saivism.

  Claims: c1, c2 · Evidence: e119-temple-town-location-v1

  View the registered source