Ardhanareeswarar temple, Tiruchengode
| Arthanareeswarar temple | |
|---|---|
  Arthanareeswarar temple | |
| Name | |
| Other names | Chengodu, Chemmalai, Nagamalai, Nandhimalai |
| Proper name | Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Temple |
| Tamil | அருள்மிகு அர்த்தநாரீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில் |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 11°15′N 77°56′E / 11.250°N 77.933°ECoordinates: 11°15′N 77°56′E / 11.250°N 77.933°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Namakkal |
| Location | Tiruchengode |
| Elevation | 6,198 m (20,335 ft) |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Arthanareeswarar temple |
| Festival deity | Lord Arthanareeswarar, Sengottuvelavar and Aadhikesava Perumal |
| Temple tank | Ammayyappar Theertham |
| Poets |
Sambandar Ilango Adigal Arunagirinathar Birungi Munivar Kaviraja Pandithar |
| Important festivals | Vaikasi Visagam |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
| History and governance | |
| Website | http://www.arthanareeswarar.com |
Arthanareeswarar temple is located in Tiruchengode in Namakkal District, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This ancient temple is mentioned in the Tamil work Silapathikaram as Neduvelkunru. It is also famous for Chenkottu Velavar (Lord Muruga) Temple, which is situated in the same hill in Tiruchengode.
Another name of Arthanareeswar temple is Thiru Kodimaada Chenkundrur (திருக்கொடிமாடச்செங்குன்றூர்) is an ancient Hindu Temple known for its manifestation of Half Male Half Female Lord Ardhanarishvara (Shiva). One of the 64 manifestations of Shiva, representing the unity of Shiva and his consort Parvati, is enshrined in this hill temple The temple is situated on a hill near 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 1206 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.
| Sengunthar Mandapam | KaalathiSwamigal Mandapam | Thirumudiyar Mandapam | Thailee Mandapam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sengunthar Chinna Mudaliyar Mandapam | Kodi Archanai Mandapam | Singhathoon Mandapam | ArupadhampadiNadar Mandapam |
| Chetti Gounder Mandapam | Thevaradiyar Mandapam | Ilaippatri Mandapam | Goupra Vayil Mandapam |
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
| Ganapanty Theertham | Siva Theertham | Sakthi Theertham | Deva Theertham | Kumara Theertham | Ammaiyappar Theertham | Papanasa Theertham |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bairava Theertham | Naaga Theertham | Shanmuga Theertham | Soorya Theertham | Siddhar Mooligai Theertham | Kanniyar Theertham | Chandra Pushkarani Theertham |
Of these, the Ammaiyappar Theertham (or Deva Theertham) is the most important one as it is found at the feet of Lord Arthanareeswara
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 1628 A.D Kondapoopathi who ruled kongu nadu donated two small chariots. The chariots were there for nearly 374 years. In 1628 A.D 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 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
- Two chariots were donated by Kondapoopathi (1628 A.D) who ruled kongunadu.
- Chennaraja Chikendrar (1699 A.D) donated Sengottuvelavar car chariot
- Nagamalai Gounder(1699 A.D) donated the biggest chariot for Lord Arthanareswara.
- During the festival lakhs of people gather to get the blessings of Lord Arthanareeswara.
Golden Chariot
Golden Chariot is at the Hill Temple.
Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Temple Festivals
| Festival mounth | Festival name |
|---|---|
| Chithirai | Chitra Paurnami |
| Vaigasi | Bathrakaliamman Kovil Thiruvizha and Visaga Ther-Thiruvizhala |
| Aani | Natarasar Thirumanjanam |
| Aavani | Vinayagar Chadhurthi |
| Purattasi | Manikovil Kethra Gowriviratham and Navarathiri |
| Ippasi | Periyamariamman Kovil Thiruvizha and Kandan Sashti- Surasamharam |
| Karthikai | Karthikai Deepam |
| Margazhi | Aaruthra Darisanam |
| Thai | Padithiruvizha |
| Masi | Masimagam Vizha,Sivarathriri |
| Panguni | Uthira Vizha |
1) Arulmigu Aabathu katha Vinayar 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 Malaikavalar Temple, Tiruchengodu 7) Arulmigu Pandeeswarar Temple, Kumaramangalam
References
External links
- ↑ "Ardhanareeswarar temple". http://www.tiruchengode.com. Tiruchengode. External link in
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