Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Sakkottai, Hindu temple in Sakkottai, India

Amirthakadeswarar Temple is a Dravidian temple at Sakkottai whose masonry was built under the Cholas in the 9th century, with later work by the Thanjavur Nayaks. A three-tiered rajagopuram gateway rises above walls flanked by moats inside and outside. Within are shrines to Amirthakadeswarar and Amirthavalli Amman, a Saptamatrikas panel carved on a single stone, and a Dakshinamurthy with four hands holding a rudraksha bead, fire, cinmudra and palm leaves.

The temple's roots trace back to the 9th century when the Chola dynasty ruled the region and sponsored major religious construction. Later rulers from Thanjavur added to the complex, shaping much of what visitors see in its current form.

The place name comes from the pot (kalayam) of creation, which legend says arrived here, giving the earlier name Kalayanallur; Sakya Nayanar's worship later produced Sakkottai. The temple is one of the seven Sapta Stana temples of Kumbakonam, and during the Chithirai festival Aadhi Kumbeswarar is carried in a palanquin to this shrine. Sundarar sang its praises in ten verses of the Tevaram.

The temple lies on the Kumbakonam–Valangaiman road, about 3 km from Kumbakonam, not on the Mannargudi road. Rituals are held four times daily, beginning with Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m. and Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., and continue until about 10 p.m. The site is an active place of worship, so visitors should dress and behave accordingly.

The Dakshinamurthy sculpture here has four hands: the upper right holds a Rudraksha bead, the upper left Agni, the lower right cinmudra and the lower left palm leaves. The Lingothbhava image is made of emerald, and the Ardhanarishvara figure is shown with the right leg in a relaxing posture.