Kodiakkarai Sri Amirthagateswarar (Kodi Kuzhagar)Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

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

Deity

Amirthagateswarar / Kodi Kuzhagar Amman: Anjanakshi

Introduction

Location:
- Situated in Kodiakadu Village, near Kodiakkarai, in Vedaranyam Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu.
Deities:
- Presiding Deity: Amirthakadeswarar / Kodi Kuzhagar / Kuzhakeswarar (Shiva).
- Goddess (Mother): Anjanakshi / Maithadanganni.
Sacred Significance:
- One of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in Tevaram hymns.
- It is the 244th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 127th on the southern bank of the Cauvery River in Chozha Nadu.
- Saint Arunagirinathar has praised Lord Muruga of this temple in his Thirupugazh hymns.
Temple Elements:
- Sacred Tree (Sthala Vruksham): Kura tree.
- Holy Water Sources (Sthala Theertham):
  - Agni Theertham (Sea).
  - Amutha Theertham.

Puranic Significance

Historical Background:
- The temple dates back to the 6th century CE as it is mentioned in Tevaram hymns.
- It was completely reconstructed in granite in the 10th century CE.
Inscriptions & Patronage:
- Inscriptions from various Chola rulers:
  - Aditya Chola I (871–907 CE)
  - Parantaka Chola I (907–955 CE)
  - 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)
- Also features inscriptions from Pandya rulers:
  - Jadavarman Sundara Pandya (1250–1268 CE)
  - Jadavarman Parakrama Pandya (1169–1177 CE)
- Most inscriptions detail grants and renovations for the temple.
- The temple received extensive patronage from the Pandyas and Nayak kings.
Administration:
- Maintained by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Spiritual & Mythological Significance:
- Saint Arunagiriar praised Lord Muruga of this temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.
- Goddess Maiyar Thadanganni is worshipped as an embodiment of mercy.
- Navagrahas (nine planetary deities) are aligned in a straight line, witnessing the divine wedding posture of Shiva and Parvati.
- The temple has a jungle custodian deity named Sookadu Kizhal due to its location in a forested area.
Legend of Lord Muruga and the Nectar (Amrita):
- During the churning of the milk ocean, demons caused a hurricane.
- Vayu Bhagwan (Wind God) controlled the storm, preventing destruction.
- When Nectar spilled, Lord Muruga collected it in a sacred Kalasa (pot).
- Lord Muruga is depicted in this temple holding the Kalasa of Nectar, and devotees pray to him for longevity.
- Though it is primarily a Shiva temple, Lord Muruga is given special prominence.

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.