Kodiakarai Beach,
Nagapattinam
Kodiakarai beach located at a distance of 68 kms from Nagapattinam
& 345 Kms from Chennai. This place is famous for the bird’s sanctuary. It
is notable for coral reefs and rare species of marine lives such as
Dolphins. Kodiakarai Beach is one of the tourist attractions in the
coastal town of Kodiakarai. This is a relatively less crowded beach and people
come here enjoy sea breeze and also to play in the sea shore. Matches of beach
volleyball can also be seen here often. Kodiakarai Beach at Kodiakarai is
located at 10°16'29.3"N 79°49'30.1"E or 10.274814, 79.825023.
Kodiakarai beach located in Nagapattinam is flanked by Palk
Straits to the south and Bay of Bengal to the east. Also known as Point
Calimere, Kodiakarai beach boasts of a natural splendour that leaves the
visitors spell bound. The beach offers a wide variety of flora and fauna,
amidst the wetland and marshy grounds.
The Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, located close to the beach
is a major tourist attraction here. Wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and
bird watchers come here to experience wildlife first hand. Black buck, semi
wild ponies, spotted deer, bonnet macaque and wild boar are spotted here, while
flamingos, spoonbills, ibises and herons are a part of the rich avifauna found
here. Certain endangered reptile species like marsh crocodiles, sea turtle,
vipers and starred tortoise can also be found here.
Apart from these, you can also indulge in many water sport
activities at the beach. For the spiritually inclined, the Amrita Ghateshwar
temple offers a serene atmosphere for worship.
Kodiakarai Beach is easily accessed from Nagapattinam and nearby towns. The
best season for a visit here is the winter months.
The beach is not easy to get to. You need to have a car and buy
permits to get in. Timings are sketchy and the park can be closed without prior
notice. If you get around these issues, this protected national monument is a
breathtaking place to visit.
Kodikarai was made famous by the brilliant author Kalki in his
book Ponniyin Selvan. Of course, the place does not look anything as he
describes in that novel. Not that many thick forests, the ancient canal from
Kodikarai to Vedaranyam and Nagapattinam is all but dead etc.
There are set roads you would take to get to the beach. On the
way, you will see wild donkeys and foxes. Please don’t honk or create too much
sound.
When you do come to the beach, you are blown away by the sheer
beauty of this place. There is a very ancient dilapidated lighthouse built by Paranthaka
Chola in the early 900s. This was destroyed during a tsunami around 950AD.
The tsunami of 2004 lifted the remains and brought it several
score meters inland. There is a lookout point built near the old lighthouse. Do
go up this lookout and you will see the coastline all the way to
Ramanathapuram. On a clear day, one can see Sri Lanka. Kalki again featured
this old lighthouse in his Ponniyin Selvan novel. A newer lighthouse, an ugly
sight as many modern government buildings, stands.
Before you leave the place, visit the Kuzhagar temple (again
mentioned in Ponniyin Selvan). This is a very old Shiva temple with numerous
inscriptions. Nearby, you can also visit the Vedaranyam temple-- Thirunavukarasar,
Thiruganasambhandar, and Sundaramurthi Nayanar has all created beautiful songs
here.
Connectivity
By Air - Nearest airport at Chennai about 330 Kms.
By Rail - Nearest Railway station is at Thanjavur which is 80 kms.
By Road - Kodiakarai Beach can be reached by bus from Chennai (330
Kms), Thanjavur (80 Kms), Nagapattinam (68 kms).