Ardhanareeswarar Temple
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| Arthanāreeswarā Temple | |
|---|---|
Thiru Kodimaada Chenkundrar | |
Ardhanariswara | |
| Festivals | Vaikasi Visagam |
| Features |
|
| Location | |
| Location | Tiruchengode |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
  Location in Tamil Nadu | |
| Geographic coordinates | 11°15′N 77°56′E / 11.250°N 77.933°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | east |
| Elevation | 198.12 m (650 ft) |
| Website | |
| http://www.arthanareeswarar.com | |
Arthanāreeswarā temple, also known as Thirukodimāda Chenkundrūr (Tamil: திருக்கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர்), is an ancient Hindu temple, located in Tiruchengode, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Arthanāreeswarā, a form of the Hindu deity Shiva combined with his consort Parvati. Also called as Mādhorubāgan and Ammaiyappan (mother-father). The famous Chenkottu Velavar Temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, is also situated on the same hill.
History
It is one of the shrines of the 275
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
The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.[1]
Legends
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It is believed that Adi Kesava Perumāl, a form of
Once
Another legend states that there was a battle between the serpent
Margatha Lingam
In this temple, Emerald Lingam is established.
Margatha Linga darshan takes place solely in the early mornings of the Puratassi month between 3:30 and 7 am and during the daily Ucchi Kala Poojai.
Architecture
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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.
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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.
Along the path are 11 mandapams, providing shelter to pilgrims climbing up the hill. The first is the
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.
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
Although the sanctum faces the West, entrance to it is from the South. A majestic image of Ardanareeshwarar 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
| Sengunthar Mandapam | Kālathi Swamigal 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 |
Arupatham Padi
Along the path are 60 steps called the Arubadam Padi (அறுபதாம் படி), which are considered to have special significance, and are mentioned by Arunagirināthar.
Ucchi sivalingam
The Ucchi Pillaiyar shrine is found about 425 feet further up and is dedicated to Ganesha and to the lingam form of Shiva. On the west of it lies a stone called Varadikal, Maladi kal, or Vandhya Paatana Sikara. Couples offer worship at this shrine in the hope of being blessed with a child.
தத்வ நாற்பத் தெட்டு நாற்பத் தெட்டு மேற்றுத் திடமேவும்
தர்க்க சாத்ரத் தக்க மார்க்கச் சத்ய வாக்யப் பெருமாளே
Gopuram
The north facing, 84.5 ft tall Thirumalai Gopuram was built by Krishna Devarayar in 1512 and the basement (kalkarar) was built during the reign of Sadāsiva Mahārāyar. 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.
| Ganapathi Theertham | Shiva Theertham | Shakthi Theertham | Deva Theertham | Kumara Theertham | Ammaiyappar Theertham | Pāpanāsam Theertham |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhairavar Theertham | Nāga Theertham | Shanmuga Theertham | Soorya Theertham | Siddhar Mooligai Theertham | Kanniyar Theertham | Chandra Pushkarani Theertham |
Of these, the Ammaiyappar Theertham is the most important one, as it is found at the feet of Lord Arthanareeswarar.
Festivals
The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of
Girivalam
Girivalam is the practice of circumambulating the sacred hill by foot, which is performed by large crowds on full-moon days. The route around the hill is about 7 km long and takes about 1.5 hours to cover the distance.
| Festival month | Festival name |
|---|---|
| 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 |
References
- ^ Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959
- ^ "64 Lord Shiva Depictions". Dinamalar.
- ^ "The World Renowned Arthanareeswarar - Tiruchengode". www.arthanareeswarar.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ ISBN 9781684666041.
External links
