127. SRI AMIRTHAGATESWARAR TEMPLE KODIKKARAI

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	244th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	127th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

This Shivastalam is a seaside shrine associated again with the legend of the churning of the milky ocean, located at a distance of 10 km from Vedaranyam. If Tamilnadu can be described as a state with a smile, Kodikkarai can be described as the tip of its nose . The image shown above is that of Tyagaraja at Tiruvarur. Kodikkarai is also referred to as Kuzhagar Koyil.

Legend has it that the celestial nectar from the Millky Ocean, carried by Vayu, fell at this spot and assumed the form of a Shivalingam, hence Amritaghateswarar; and Amrita Theertham the tank. This legend is very similar to that at Tirukkadavur.

Rama is said to have sighted Sri Lanka from here, and what is believed to be his footprint is preserved nearby. It is believed that Rama attempted to build a bridge to Sri Lanka from here, and was directed by Shiva to proceed to Rameswaram. It is considered sacred to bathe in the sea here during the Uttarayana and Dakshinayana transition.  Local belief has it that this shrine is inhabited by Siddhas.

This Sivasthalam is a seaside shrine on the shores of Bay of Bengal and is associated with the churning of the milky ocean. According to the legend when celestial nectar (Amirtham) was obtained by churning the milky ocean, Vayu took the same to give to Devas. When Vayu flew over Kodikkarai, a drop of celestial nector (Amirtham) fell down at Kodikkarai and it took the form of a Shivalingam. This sivalingam, known as Amirthagateswarar, is the presiding male deity of the temple at Kodikkarai. This sthalam, also referred to as Kuzhagarkovil, is mentioned in the famous novel Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki, a renowned novelist.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·       This temple has a lofty Rajagopuram and shrines to Amritavinayakar and shadbhujasubramanyar with one of the arms bearing a pot of the celestial nectar.

·        The Navagrahas are in a single file as in Tiruvarur. 

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Amrita Ghateswarar
Ambal	Sri Maiyar Thadankanni
Theertham	Amrita Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam

BELIEF:

People pray here for prosperity, removal of marriage obstacles, relieve from body aliments and child boon.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Aani	June-July	Aani Tirumanjanam
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Pooram
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram

HOW TO REACH:

This paadal petra sthalam is situated about 2 Kms to the south from Agasthiampalli. Town bus facilities are available from Vedaranyam to Kodikkarai and one has to get down at Kuzhagarkovil bus stop.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Amirthagateswarar Temple,

Kodikkarai,

Nagapattinam,

Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION: