Kodiakkarai Sri Amirthagateswarar (Kodi Kuzhagar)Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Kodiakkarai Sri Amirthagateswarar (Kodi Kuzhagar)Temple, Kodiakadu, Nagapattinam District- 614 821 Phone: +91 – 4369 272 470

Diety

Amirthagateswarar / Kodi Kuzhagar Amman: Anjanakshi

Introduction

Kodi Kuzhagar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kodiakadu Village near Kodiakkarai in inVedaranyam Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is also called as Amirthakadeswarar Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Amirthakadeswarar / Kodi Kuzhagar / Kuzhakeswarar and Mother is called as Anjanakshi / Maithadanganni.This Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This Temple is the 244th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 127th sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung Thirupugazh hymns in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple. Sthala Vruksham: Kura tree Sthalam Theertham: Agni Theertham (sea); Amutha theertham

Puranic Significance

The Temple might have been in existence from 6th century CE as it finds mention in Devaram hymns. The Temple was reconstructed completely in granite in 10th century CE. Inscriptions belonged to Aditya Chola I (871–907 CE), Parantaka Chola I (907–955), Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE), Rajendra Chola I (1012–1044 CE), Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE), Rajaraja Chola III (1216–1246 CE), Rajendra Chola III (1246–1279 CE), Jadavarman Sundara Pandya (1250–1268 CE) and Jadavarman Parakrama Pandya (1169–1177) can be seen in this temple. Most of the inscriptions records various grants and renovation activities to the temple. The Temple also received extensive patronage from the Pandyas and Nayak Kings. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu. Legend has it that Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of Lord Muruga of this temple in his celebrated Tirupugazh hymns. This is a very ancient temple. Mother Maiyar Thadanganni appears all merciful. The one different feature of the temple is that the Navagrahas in the temple are on a straight line witnessing the wedding posture of Lord Shiva with Mother. Kodiakadu being a jungle area, there is a jungle custodian deity praised as Sookadu Kizhal. While churning the milk ocean for the Nectar, the demons created a wild hurricane. God of Wind Vayu Bhagwan controlled the tempest. When the Nectar spilled, Lord Subramania (Muruga) held it in a Kalasa-vessel. He appears in this temple with the Nectar-Kalasa. People pray to him for longevity. Though a Lord Shiva temple, all prominence goes to Lord Muruga.

Beliefs

Devotees pray to Lord Shiva for wedding, child boon and for excellence in education. People pray to Amrita Subramanya for longevity. Taking a holy dip in Kodiyakarai beach is equivalent in taking hundred holy dip in Sethu beach. People throng the beach for holy bath during Thai and Aadi Amavasya days. It is considered sacred to bathe in the sea here during the Uttharayana and Dakshinayana transition.

Special Features

The main deity is Amrita Ghateswarar also called as Kuzhageswarar and the Ambal Maiyar Thadankanni / Anjanakshi. Lord Brahmma, Lord Ganapathi, Lingodhbava and Mother Durga bless the devotees from the goshta wall. Kuzhagar temple complex has three prakarams (outer courtyard) and a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower). The central shrine faces east and holds the image of Kuzhagar (Shiva) in the form of lingam made of granite. The granite images of the deities Ganesha (son of Shiva and god of wisdom), Murugan (son of Shiva and god of war), Nandi (the bull and vehicle of Shiva) and Navagraha (nine planetary deities) are located in the hall leading to the sanctum. As in other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the first precinct or the walls around the sanctum of Kuzhagar has images of Dakshinamurthy (Shiva as the Teacher), Durga (warrior-goddess) and Chandikeswarar (a saint and devotee of Shiva). The second precinct is surrounded by granite walls.

Festivals

The main festivals celebrated here are manifold. The 10 day Vaikasi visagam in May-June and 6 day Sashti are the festivals celebrated for Lord Amirthakada Subramanya.