Ardhanareeswarar temple, Tiruchengode

History

The temple dates back to the Sangam period and was renovated during the periods of cholas, pandyas and nayak kings. A British officer, Davis, repaired some parts of the 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.

The path has 11 mandapams-providing shelters to people going up the hill. Pasuvan Swami Mandapam is on the way to top. The village people offer milk, ghee or cheese to Pasuvan Swami so that their homes can become abundant with these products.

Legends

Adi Kesava Perumal, enshrined here, instructed Gowri on the Kedara Gowri Vratam which she performed to unite with Shiva as Ardhanareeswarar. One of the 64 manifestations of Shiva - the man-woman form with Parvati constituting the left half of Shiva.

Festivals

The major festival is the Sengottuvelavar Car Festival known as Vaigasi Visakam (Celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi). The Festival is celebrated for 15 days, with separate cars carrying sengottuvelavar, arthanareeswarar and many small lords. This festival is famous among the towns and villages surrounding Tiruchengode. It is a big festivel for the Tiruchengode people.

View of mountain

The hill which stands in the midst of Thirukodimada Sengundroor and also sung in Thevaram is Nagagiri, it is also called Nagachalam, Panimalai, Uragaverpu, Siva-malai, Kodaimalai and Deivathirumalai.

This divine mountain contains about 350 acres of land which is 2000 feet above sea level. It kindles imagination and appears different from different angles. This is actually formed by Nagamalai and Nandimalai .

The hill

The town has a hill, which is about 650 ft. high. One can take on 1156 steps to reach the top of the hill to worship the Lord Shiva-Arthanareeswarar. The hill is referred by many names like Chemmalai, Nagamalai, Nandhimalai and many more.

Lord Arthanareeswarar has a unique form here, which combines half male and half female form. The lord is also known as Madhorubagan and Ammayappan. It is claimed that this rare posture of the Lord as prime deity can be found only in this temple in the whole of Asia. On either side of the steps one can see a huge Snake with 5 heads spreading its hood carrying the father of the world as Sivalingam. People worship this carved stone Snake with Kumkum and camphre.

Mandapams

If climbed over the mountain through the foot steps, the first view is of the Sengunthar Mudaliyar Mandapam then follows the Kalathi Swamigal Mandapam, Thirumudiyar Mandapam and Thyli Mandapam. The mandabams are the shady places built by the devotees of the god to provide shelter for those who climb over the mountain to see Lord Arthanareeswara.

Arubadam Padi

Beyond this point after crossing some Mandapas, one has to cross special steps called Arubadam Padi (அறுபதாம் படி)(60 steps) (steps of truth) by the saint ArunagiriNadhar. Among the 1200 steps these 60 steps are considered to be the most important ones. so their footsteps stand as a good example for the architectural excellence of Tamilians.

The Golden Chariot is at the Hill Temple.

Ucchi Pillaiar

About 425 feet further up is the Pandeeshwara temple. People fondly call it Ucchi Pillaiar. Here are a Lingam and Pillaiar. On the west of it lies a stone Varadikal (Maladi kal) or Vandhya Paatana Sikara. Childless couples offer worship to get the boon of a child by the grace of ucchi pillaiar and Ammai Appan Lord Arthanareeswara.

தத்வ நாற்பத் தெட்டு நாற்பத் தெட்டு மேற்றுத் திடமேவும்
தர்க்க சாத்ரத் தக்க மார்க்கச் சத்ய வாக்யப் பெருமாளே

Gopuram

Gijantic Thirumalai Gopuram which faces the north basement was laid (pedam) by Krishna Devarayar in 1512 A.D. During the reign of Sadha-siva Maharayar the basement(kalkarar) was laid. During 1522 A.D , Thiriyambaka Udayar started constructing the building from the basement by using bricks it took 29 years to complete the work.

The Ancient Gopuram was 473 years old. It has unique sculptures which project the artistic skills of the ancient sculptors. It is one of the best examples for ancient architecture. The 84.5 feet tall Majestic Rajagopuram of this hill temple faces north and its five stages contain fine pieces of embossed figures.

Theertham

Tiruchengode, one of the most important religious places in South India, is said to have 108 Theerthangal or water bodies.

Of these, the Ammaiyappar Theertham (or Deva Theertham) is the most important one as it is found at the feet of Lord Arthanareeswarar.

Festivals

The special feature of the festival is there are four car chariots. The first is for Lord Vinayagar, the second belongs to Lord Sengottuvelavar, the third to Lord Arthanareeswara and the fourth for Aadhikesava Perumal.

During this festival the idols of Lord Arthanareeswara, Sengothuvelavar and Aadhikesavar are brought down from the hill temple for the chariot procession. At the end of 14th day the idols are taken back.

In AD 1628 Kondapoopathi who ruled kongu nadu donated two small chariots. The chariots were there for nearly 374 years. In AD 1628 Chennaraja Chikendrar made a chariot for Lord sengottuvelavar.

Girivalam

One who thinks Arthanareswara and desire to start circling the Arthanarswara hill and forwarding one foot will get equal benefit of Yagam and for second foot he will achieve the benefit of Raja suya Yagam and with clear mind of third foot will achieve Aswameda Yagam and who continues further will get beneficial of all Yagams.

One of the most important customs during worship is circling the holy and prestigious hill. Especially in the full moon day or Poornima of every month, lakhs of devotees circle around the hill regularly. People should circle the hill barefoot muttering the name "Om Namashivaya" and view the peak of the Arthanareeswara hill during the circling. Though there is no time restriction on circling the hill, believers prefer to circle during the night, as at this time heavenly asters also circle Arthanareeswara hill. The path is about 7 km long and takes about 1.5 hours to cover the distance.

The features of the four chariots

Golden Chariot

Golden Chariot is at the Hill Temple.

Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Temple Festivals

1) Arulmigu Aabathu katha Vinayagar Temple, Tiruchengodu 2) Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple, Tiruchengodu 3) Arulmigu Arumuga swamy Temple, Tiruchengodu 4) Arulmigu Bathrakaliamman Temple, Tiruchengodu 5) Arulmigu Periya Mariamman Temple, Tiruchengodu 6) Arulmigu Malaikkavalar Temple, Tiruchengodu 7) Arulmigu Pandeeswarar Temple, Kumaramangalam