Tiruchengode Sri Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Namakkal

Diety: Arthanareeswarar Amman: Bagam piriyal
Temple Address: Tiruchengode Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode, Namakkal district PIN 637211
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Arthanāreeswarā temple is an ancient temple, located in Tiruchengode, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Arthanāreeswarā, the unique half-male half-female of Lord Shiva. It is perhaps the only temple in Asia where this rare form of the Divine is enshrined as the principal deity. The deity here is also known as Mādhorubāgan and Ammaiyappan (mother-father). The famous Chenkottu Velavar Temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, is also situated on the same hill.Another name for the Arthanāreeswara Temple is Thirukodimāda Chenkundrūr. Theertham: Devatheertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Iluppai Tree

Puranic Significance

It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams praised in the Thevaram hymns of the Saivite saints. Both Thirugnansambandar and Arunagirinathar have composed hymns celebrating the temple. In the ancient work Silapathikaram the place is mentioned by the name ‘Neduvelkundru’. The temple is also the subject of a popular composition by Muttuswami Dīkshitar, Arthanāreeshwaram, set in the ragam Kumudakriya. Important renovations were made during the reigns of the Chola, Pandya and Nayak kings, and by a British colonial officer, Davis, whose image can be found in the Mukkoottu Vinayagar temple. It is believed that Adi Kesava Perumāl, a form of Vishnu enshrined here, instructed Gowri on the Kedara Gowri Vratam, which she performed to unite with Shiva as Ardhanareeswarar. Once Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Indra and sage Bhrigu went to Kailash to worship Lord Shiva. They were directed towards Lord Shiva by his Vahana, Nandhi. Everyone first had a darshan of Lord Parvathi and then proceeded to Lord Shiva. But, Sage Bhrigu directly marched to Lord Shiva. Parvathi Devi, annoyed by his act, sucked the flesh from the Sage’s body to stop him proceeding, but the sage forwarded. Lord Shiva recognized this act of Parvathi and blessed Bhrigu with a third leg. After the departure of the Sage, Lord Parvathi appeased Lord Shiva about her penance. After Lord Shiva’s approval, Parvathi Devi along with her crew went to a hilltop and performed the same. As a result of this penance, she demanded a will for getting a portion for her in Lord Shiva’s sacred body thus granting the devotees for an integrated worship, which was granted by Lord Shiva. This led to the manifestation of half men and half women depiction Arthanaareswarar. Thus Lord Parvathi took up the left side and rest right by Lord Shiva. This signifies the creation of this manifestationIt is also believed that long ago there held a battle between Adiseshan and Vayu to prove their mighty powers. This resulted in devastating disasters and the then sages gave an idea to them. Accordingly, Adiseshan has to cling to Mount Meru with his hood and Vayu has to release him by his valour. But the former succeeded. Vayu, out of anger, stopped the air as a result all living beings fainted. Sages convinced Vayu to release his hold. By the sudden release of air by Vayu lead the top of the mountain with the head of Adisesha, thrown into earth on three places with flesh and blood and making it red and thus the name Chengodu. There is a 60 ft long snake carved on the hill, and hence the name as Nagamalai

Beliefs

For the unity of husband and wife, the victims of Nagatosham, Rahu-Tosham, Kala Sarpa Tosham and Kalathira Tosham are worshiped here.

Special Features

The sacred hill is about 650 ft. high, and a climb of 1156 steps leads worshippers to the temple at its peak. The hill is called ‘Nagagiri’ in the Thevaram hymns and is also known by many other names like Chemmalai, Panimalai, Nandimalai, Uragaverpu. The hill contains about 350 acres of land, which lies 2000 ft about sea level. 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 is for Lord Shiva known as Maathoru Paagar and the Ambal his consort is known Baagampiriyaalammai. 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 as Ardhanareeswarar. Subramanya known as Chengottu Velar is located on a flat surface atop the hill. This Chengottu Velar shrine is on the back side of the main sanctum sanctorum.

Festivals

Chithirai Chithra Paurnami Vaikāsi Badrakali Amman Kovil Thiruvizha and Vaikāsi Ther-Thiruvizhala Aani Natarajar Thirumanjanam Aavani Vinayaka Chathurthi Purattasi Manikovil Kedara Gowri Viratham and Navarathiri Ippasi Periya Mariamman Kovil Thiruvizha and Kanda Sashti Karthikai Karthikai Deepam Margazhi Aarudra Darisanam Thai Padi Thiruvizha Masi Māsimāgam Vizha and Sivarāthri Panguni Uthira Vizha