Kodi Kuzhagar Temple, Kodiakkarai, Nagapattinam – History
The
recorded history of Kodiakkarai is found from the inscriptions in Kuzhagar
Temple and Vedaranyeswarar Temple. The inscriptions date from the reign of Aditya
Chola (871–907 CE),Rajaraja
Chola I (985–1014 CE), Rajendra
Chola I (1012–1044 CE)
and Kulothunga Chola I(1070–1120 CE) indicating various grants to the temple. An
inscription dating back to Parantaka
Chola mentions the gift of
90 sheep by a merchant to the temple for the maintenance of a perpetual lamp.
The
region of Kodikkarai along with Vedaranyam continued to be a part of the Chola
Empire and the Chola region emerged as a centre of Saivism during the reign of
Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE). After the fall of Cholas during the
reign of Rajendra Chola II in the 13th century CE, the erstwhile Chola region
was caught under a power struggle between Pandyas and Hoysalas.
The
royal patronage continued to the temple during the rule of the Nayaks. The Negapatam region (modern day Nagapattinam
district) was briefly captured by French troops led by Lally (1702–66 CE) in 1759 CE. The Tanjore district was annexed by British after the French failed to
subdue the king of Tanjore. In modern times, the temple is maintained and
administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of
Tamilnadu.
