This Temple Website sponsored by Mr. Anoop Singh, HSFC, Dwarka, New Delhi-110075.
Phone Numbers- 70117104088, 9136362391
Introduction and History in Brief
Arthanāreeswarā temple is an ancient Hindu 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 along with one situated in a small village of Madhya Pradesh named Mohgaon Haveli in the district of Chhindwara. 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.
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.
The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
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 manifestation.[2]
It 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.[3] Sambandar composed the Tiruneelakandapathigam here, to help rid fellow travellers of an affliction. Saint Arunagirinathar has also composed Thirupugazh on Lord Subramanya here. Muthuswamy Deekshitar has sung of this shrine in Ardhanareeswaram in Kumudakriya.
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. The Theertham in this temple is called Sangu Theertham. Although the sanctum faces the West, entrance to it is from the South. There is a water spring at the foot of the image, which is said to have been divinely manifested “Uli Padaa Uruvam” (‘sculptured without tools’), also known to be Navabashana type. There are many mandapams on the way for people who alight steps to take rest. The sculptures found in the mandapam in front of the Chengottu Velar shrine are of intricate designs and workmanship. “Artha Jaama Pooja” the late night worship service is considered to be of importance in this shetram. New moon days are also considered to be special events. The annual festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. There is a shrine for Adikesava in the temple.[4]
Along the path are 11 mandapams, providing shelter to pilgrims climbing up the hill. The first is the Sengunthar Mudaliyar Mandapam, then the Kālathi Swamigal Mandapam, Thirumudiyar Mandapam and Thailee Mandapam.
One of the 64 manifestations of Shiva, representing the unity of Shiva and Parvati, is enshrined in this revered hill temple of great significance, accessible by a motorable road.
Another name for the Arthanāreeswara Temple is Thirukodimāda Chenkundrūr
Temple Photos
Videos from YouTube
Presiding Deity
Ardhanareeshwara 🙇 ♥️
Timing
Opens from morning 7:00am to 8pm in the evening!
(Estimated Temple timing)
Best time to visit: Try to visit the temple during Winters as it can cause health difficulties during summers and Rainy Season because of humidity.
Aarti Timing
Details awaited/Solicited.
Basic Facilities
Drinking Water, CCTV Security, Prasad, Puja Samagri, Satsang Hall, Shoe Store, Wash Rooms.
Activities
Details awaited/Solicited.
Festivals
The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of River Kaveri. The most important festival is the annual chariot festival of the Sengottuvelavar temple, which occurs for 15 days in the month of Vaikāsi. The special feature of the festival is that four separate chariots are used to carry the processional deities through the streets. The first chariot carries Lord Ganesha, the second Sengottuvelavar (Murugan), the third is used for Arthanāreeshwara and the last for Adikeshava Perumāl (Vishnu). These chariots are also of considerable historic importance: the largest, that of Arthanāreeshwara was donated to the temple by Nagamalai Gounder in 1699, the chariot of Sengothuvevar was donated by Chennaraja Chikendar in 1628 and the remaining two were made by Kondabhupathi, the ruler of Kongunādu, in 1628.
Common Festivals
Naag Panchami,Mahashivratri and Durga pooja are the main festivals which are always celebrated here..
Main Festivals
Famous Temples Nearby
Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple
Tiruchengodu Temple
Arumuga Swamy Temple
Uchi Pillayar Kovil
Kunjumariamman Temple Etc.
Near by Shops & Markets
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Nearby Dharamshalas
Details awaited/Solicited.
Hotels near Temple
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Restaurants near Temple
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Nearby Hospitals
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Concerned Police Stations
Rural Police Station
Tiruchengode – Paramathi – Velur Rd, Karattupalayam, Thiruchengodu, Tamil Nadu 637211
094981 01041
Managment Commity
Details awaited/Solicited.
Miscellaneous information
Details awaited/Solicited.
Legal information
The temple is situated on legal site taking by Govt,(ASI) & Mandir Community, there is no legal obligation on Temple Property or Temple Schedule, Criteria,Rules etc..
Facilities to hold Functions
Details awaited/Solicited.
Library
Details awaited/Solicited.
Akhadas
Details awaited/Solicited.
Mehants, Pujaris, Archakas and Sewayats
Name:
Photo:
Phone Number:
Further Details:
Details to be updated.
Gau Sewa, Birds and otheranimals Sewa
Initiattives like Pashu Sewa, Pakshi Sewa, Langar Sewa, Vedic Pathshalas etc Plannings in process.
Langar Sewa
Details awaited/Solicited.
Gurukul/Vedic Pathshalas
Details awaited/Solicited.
Mitra Mandal Link for Advice/Guidance*
This is a group of devotees of Govardhan Mandir who regularly go for darshans and Govardhan Parikrama.
Google Forms will be available shortly to become member of this group.
Modes of Travel
Tiruchengode is in northwestern part of Tamil Nadu, approximately 20 km from the City of Erode, 37 km from the district headquarters Namakkal, 46 km from Salem, 120 km from Coimbatore and 407 km from the state capital Chennai.
Visitors’ views about the Temple
Address for Visiting and Donation Purpose
Arthanareeswarar Temple
Arthanareeswarar Hill Temple Road, Tamil Nadu 637211
04288 255 925
The Data mentioned above and links are taken from Google, YouTube, TripAdvisor, Justdial, Wikipedia, Google Maps etc,. which is already in public domain. All such informations are only to facilitate the devotees to have proper darshan and there is no intentions of making any financial benefits out of them.
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