Arulmigu Thiru Arthanareeswarar Temple — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Well Maintained temple. There is a paid motorable ghat road leading to the Arthanareeswarar Temple where a huge car parking space is available. Likewise there are a flight of steps numbering around 1200 and Devotees could even walk upto the Temple or take a mini bus to reach the Temple hilltop. Those desirious of climbing the footsteps and reaching the Temple by foot would be lucky since they could see a huge five headed serpant or Naagar embosed close to the footsteps. There is a Bali Peedam, a Dwajasthamabam and a four pillared Mandapam in which a Nandhi Vaahanam is placed facing the Moolasthanam. Beyond it is a pair of Dwara Baalakas but Devotees can't enter through this way but may have to circumambulate and reach the Moolasthanam. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Arthanareeswarar who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Lord Arthanareeswarar along with his Consort Goddess Baagampiriyaalammai Blesses His Devotees. This is only the only Temple in Asia to have Lord Ardhanareeswarar as Presiding Deity. The 6 feet tall Presiding Deity of this Temple is also known as Madhorubaagan and Ammaiyappan which means Mother and Father. This Temple is unique since the Presiding Deity is a combination of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. It is very unique that Lord Shiva is portrayed as half Male and half Female. There is a spring under the feet of Lord Ardhanareeshwarar and it never gets dried. There is another belief that apart from the Arthanareeswarar there are two more Presiding Deities for this Temple and they are believed to be 1) Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal and 2) Sengottu Velavar who is none other than Murugan Himself. This Temple is located on a 650 feet high mountain. It is one of the 7 major Shiva Sthalams in Kongu Naadu. This is one of the Oldest Temple of Kongunadu. The incriptions on the wall proves that this Temple is 2000 years old. This Temple is in the vicinity of Erode and Salem District. This Thiruchengode Temple has 5 a tiered Rajagopuram facing North. Drinking the Holy Water of this Temple for 48 days is believed to cure all ailments. A Vinayagar Sub Shrine is located close to the entrance and Devotees Pray to this Vinayagar before entering the main Temple. It has to be mentioned here that most of the Temple pillars are beautifully carved with multiple Divine Deities. which looks so appealing. There are Sub Shrines for Naagar, Sangameshwarar, Vedha Nayagi, Sahasra Lingam, Dhakshinamoorthy, Sapthamathas, 63 Nayanmaars, Kubera Lakshmi and Nalleesar. The Temple has an exclusive Temple Kitchen or Madapalli and there is a Prasada Stall selling all types of Prasadams. Likewise they have a Temple Book Stall selling Divine Books in general and about this Thiruchengodu Temple in partiucular. They have also kept a cloth ATM where cloth bags are dispensed for Rs.10/- each. This Temple has facilities for elderly and a handicapped and they can make use of the wheel chairs available here. Marriages are performed here after scrutiny of all valid documents. There is a huge Kalyana Mandapam available at the hill top for performing weddings and other religious functions. There are rows of shops just outside the Temple selling Divine products etc. Devotees may have to be on the look out for Monkey menace since they are found aplenty. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is an Illuppai Maram. Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Kiruthigai, Chitthrai Brahmmothsavam, Shasti, Navarathri are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner. This Temple is reputed to be a Naaga Dosha...

Ardhanareeswarar, one of the 64 manifestations of Shiva, representing the unity of Shiva and Parvati, is enshrined in the revered Ardhanareeswarar Temple, a hill temple of significance, accessible by a motorable road. This temple is regarded as the 4th of the 7 Tevara Stalams in the Kongu Region of Tamil Nadu. Ancient walls, mandapams and sculptured pillars (now in a state of disrepair) add to the awe that this temple perpetuates, on top of the hill. The motorway and the renovated Rajagopuram are of recent origin. True to the name Nagagiri, there is a 60 ft long snake carved on the hill. Although the sanctum faces the West, entrance to it is from the South. A majestic image of Ardanareeswarar adorns the sanctum. There is a water spring at the foot of the image which is said to have been divinely manifested (Uli Padaa Uruvam). There are inscriptions here from the times of Parantaka Chola, Gangaikonda Chola, the Vijayanagar and Mysore Kings and the Nayaks. kannagi after burning Madurai finally reached Tiruchengode hill and she was taken by pushpak viman and went to heaven. Kannagi vizhla is celebrated with pomp and glory every year. In ancient days, Tiruchengode was known as Thirukodimaadachenkundrur – one of the historic places in Tamil Nadu.l. Tiruchengode was formed on November 22 and that day is celebrated as tiruchengode day. It was also known as Thiruchengottankudi Nageswaram. It enshrines the Ardhanareeswarar (man-woman) manifestation of Shiva, representing the unity of Shiva and Parvati, is enshrined in this revered hill temple of great significance, accessible by a motorable road; this is an ancient temple mentioned in the Tamil work, Silappadikaram as Neduvelkunru. The red color of the hill is the reason that it was called Chengode. The image above shows the view of the surrounding area from the top of the Tiruchengode hill. This temple is regarded as the 4th of the 7 Tevara Stalams in the Kongu Region of Tamil Nadu.

It is believed that Kannagi (Silappathikaram), after demolishing the city of Madurai by fire is called to Sorgam (Heaven) by her husband Kovalan and is in a wrath at the peak of the...

This Shivasthalam was known as Kodimaada Chenkundrur during the time of Sambandar's visit to this temple. Now known as Tiruchengode, it is famous for its hill and the temple on the top. The hill is 1900 feet height from the mean sea level. A motorable ghat road is also available to go to the top of the hill and one can reach the temple by bus or car. Another way to reach the temple is to alight 1200 steps to the top of the hill. There are many mandapams on the way for people to take rest. Once on top of the hill, the main Gopuram (Tower) with 5 tiers is on the north side of the hill. The compound wall of the temple is 260 feet length east to west and 170 feet length north to south.

The main shrine for Lord Shiva known as Maathoru Paagar and for Lord Subramanya known as Chengottu Velar is located on a flat surface atop the hill. The image of the main deity is 6 feet in height, the right half of the image as male and left half of the image as female. Hence the main deity is also known asArthanareeswarar. Chengottu Velar shrine is on the back side of the main sanctum sanctorum. The sculptures found in the mandapam in front of the Chengottu Velar shrine are of intricate designs and workmanship. Saint Arunagirinathar has also composedThirupugazh on Lord Subramanya here.

Specialties

Temple is on the hill which is red in color. One can take on 1206 steps to reach the top of the hill to worship the Lord Shiva-Ardhanareeswarar. Cars and taxis are available to reach the temple. The Rajagopuram is five tiered; 260’ in length and 160’ east-west breath. The period of the temple dates back to sangam period and renovated during the periods of cholas, pandyas and nayak kings. A British officer, Davis, repaired some parts of temple. We can see his image in Mukkoottu Vinayagar temple.Tirugnanasambandar wrote ‘Tiruneelakanta Pathigam’ and Arunagirinathar is believed to have written ‘Tiruppugalh’ in this temple. we have another choice to walk up the distance. One cannot miss the long 60’ red colored snake carved along the steps. People worship Adi Seshan-the snake. The path has 11 mandapams-providing shelters to people going...