Amritaghateswarar Temple is a Shaivite temple which is located in Thiruvarur at Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. The temple is a seaside shrine associated with the legend of the churning of the milky ocean. Amritaghateswarar Temple is located at a distance of 10 km from Vedaranyam. Kodikkarai is also referred to as "Kuzhagar Koyil".

Legend of Amritaghateswarar Temple
According to the legend, the celestial nectar from the Milky Ocean, carried by Vayu for the Devas, fell at this spot and assumed the form of a Shiva lingam, hence "Amrita Ghateswarar", the presiding male deity of the temple at Kodikkarai; and "Amrita Theertham" the tank. Lord Shiva in the temple is a "Swayambhu Murti".

Lord Rama is said to have sighted Sri Lanka from here, and 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 "Uttarayan" and "Dakshinayan" transition. Local belief has it that this shrine is inhabited by Siddhas.

Structure of Amritaghateswarar Temple
The Amritaghateswarar Temple is facing east with compound walls and entrance at the front. The temple has a lofty 3 tier 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.

How to Reach Amritaghateswarar Temple
The Amritaghateswarar Temple 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 Kuzhagar Koyil bus stop.

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