Tiruchengode
Tiruchengode - Arthanareeswarar Temple
Thiru Kodimaada Chenkundrur is an ancient Hindu Temple known
for its unique manifestation of Half Male Half Female Lord Arthanaareewarar
(Shiva). The temple is situated on a hill near Tiruchengode in the Indian state
of Tamil Nadu 120 km northeast of Coimbatore.
Tiruchengode (also known as "Thirukodi mada
chengundroor " in vedic times) has many references in puranas, like
Thevaram and Silapathikaram. In Silapathikaram, Ilango adigal referred
Tiruchengode as "Chengodu " and that "it has numerous holy ponds
and enjoys popularity and prosperity".
This temple has been praised by the Nayanmar
Thirugnanasambandhar in his devotional hyman Devaram. Great poets and saints
like Arunagirinathar, Ilango adigal, Kaviraja pandithar amongst others have
enlogised this holy place in their divine poems. The idols of Birungi Munivar
and Arunagirinathar are found inside the temple.
This ancient hill temple according to the inscriptions on
the walls must have been built about 2000 years ago. The hill, which is about
650 ft. height . The hill is referred in many names like Chemmalai, Nagamalai,
Nandhimalai and many more.
Lord Arthanareeswarar is giving salvation to all souls, from
the hill top temple. Lord Sengottuvelavar and Lord Adhikesava Perumal in
separate shrines as presiding deities.
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. The hill top temple can be
reached by climbing up 1206 steps, made of stone. Another way to reach the
temple is, a motorable ghat road is available to go to the top of the hill and
one can reach the temple by bus or car.
One has to enter the temple from the main
entrance-Rajagopuram-from the south; sanctum sanctorum faces west. In this
temple Lord Shiva appears in man-woman combination in one idol; the right part
of the idol is half of Parvathi Devi and the left half is Lord Shiva’s half.
There is a saying that wife is the better half; True to the saying, here Lord Shiva
has given his left part of body to goddess Parvathi, his wife . It means that
there is no Shiva without the Sakthi; and no sakthi without Shiva. All men and
women are equal. No man without woman; no woman without man. An undeniable law
of nature! So the main deity is called Umai Oru Bagan, Ammaiappan, Mangaipangan
and Madhorubagan.
Arthanaareewarar (Shiva) : It is one of the 64
manifestations of Lord Shiva, representing the unity of Shiva and Parvati
(unique manifestation of Half Male Half Female ).
Tichengottuvelavar : This temple is dedicated to Lord
Muruga. It attracts more devotees. People name their babies after lord
Murugan’s name- Sengottuvelan. Saint Arunagirinathar has also composed
Thirupugazh on Lord Subramanya here.
Tiruchengode - Arulmigu
Arthanareeswarar Temple
|
|
Main Deity
|
Lord
Shiva, Lord Murugan
|
Name
|
Sri Ardhanareeswarar,
Maathoru Paagar
|
Murugan Name
|
Sri
Tichengottuvelavar
|
Location
|
Tiruchengode
|
Other names
|
Thiru
Kodimaada Chenkundrur
|
Significance
|
Praised
by sambandhar,
Thevara
Padal Petra Sthalam (275 Shiva Temples),
|
Ancient
|
2000
years old
|
Travel Base
|
Erode or
Salem
|
The second most popular temple of Tiruchengode is
Kailasanathar temple which is located at the center of the city. The main deity of the temple is Kailasanathar
which is present in the form of a Shiv Linga in the main shrine. There is a
separate shrine for the Goddess of the temple, Sugunda Kundalambigai.
How to Reach : Tiruchengode is in south India in the state
of Tamil Nadu, approximately 20 km from the City of Erode, 46 km from Salem,
and 120 km from Coimbatore. It is well connected by bus from all major towns.
Source Temple Official Website : Arthanareeswarar Temple
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