Ardhanareeswarar temple, Tiruchengode
| Thiru Kodimaada Chenkundrur | |
|---|---|
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| 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 | 198.12 m (650 ft) |
| Culture | |
| Sanctum | Ardhanarishvara |
| Direction and posture | east |
| Temple tank | Ammayyappar Theertham |
| Major festivals | Vaikasi Visagam |
| Architecture | |
| Architecture | Dravidian architecture |
| History | |
| Website | http://www.arthanareeswarar.com |
Arthanāreeshwarā temple is an ancient Hindu temple, located in Tiruchengode, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Arthanāreeshwarā, the unique half-male half-female of Lord Shiva. It is perhaps the only temple in Asia 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.
Another name for the Arthanāreeswar Temple is Thirukodimāda Chenkundrūr (திருக்கொடிமாடச்செங்குன்றூர்).
The temple is one of the 275 shrines 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.
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 Birungi 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 Birungi 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 Birungi 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.
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