Kodi Kuzhagar Temple, Kodiakkarai – The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with seven tiered rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and a sixteen pillared mukha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Amirthakadeswarar / Kodi Kuzhagar / Kuzhakeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Anjanakshi / Maithadanganni. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in mukha mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. There is a shrine for goddess Kaadu Kizhal in the mukha mandapam. Kaadu Kizhal is considered as the guardian deity of the Kodiakadu forests. Idol of Kuzhaga Munivar can be seen in the maha mandapam.
There is a shrine for Amrita Subramanya in the western prakaram. He is six armed. He holds amrita kalasa, neelotpava, vajra, padma, vel and shows abhaya hastha. The Thiruvasi and Murugan with his mount peacock are made from single stone. The peacock is facing towards north. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung Thirupugazh hymns in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple. Shrines of Amirtha Vinayagar, Suryan, Chandran and Ganapathy Lingam can be seen in the temple premises.
In Navagrahas shrine, Navagrahas are placed in a straight line facing the same direction against the traditional pattern of being in a circular form facing different directions. Theerthams associated with this temple are Rudra Theertham / Agni Theertham and Amirtha Theertham. Agni Theertham is the nearby sea located at about 3 Kms from the temple. Amirtha Theertham is a well situated in the prakaram. Sthala Vrikshams are Kura Maram, Vilwam and Kongu Trees.
