Arthanareeswarar Temple is an ancient Hindu Temple known for its unique manifestation of Half Male Half Female Lord Arthanaareeswarar (Shiva). The temple is situated on a hill near Tiruchengode in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu 120 km northeast of Coimbatore. The main deity is also known as Ardhanareeswarar.
There is a water spring at the foot of the image, which is said to have been divinely manifested "Uli Padaa Uruva". The annual festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. 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. 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. Of the many forms of Lord Shiva, Arthanareeswara belong to Satyo Jatham facing west.
Devotees worshipping Arthanareeswara reap the benefits they desire in this birth and also in that to come. As worshipping this Shivalinga would amount to joint worshipping of Shiva and Shakti, the Lord of the temple is called Arthanareeswarar.
Arthanareeswarar Temple is located in Arthanareeswarar Hills
Tiruchengodu ,Tamilnadu . This Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one among 275 Shiva Sthalams.
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.
Main deity is also known as Ardhanareeswarar. Subramanya known as Chengottu Velar is located on a flat surface atop the hill.The annual festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi.
This temple has been praised by the Nayanmar Thirugnanasambandhar in his devotional hyman Devaram.The sculptures found in the mandapam in front of the Chengottu Velar shrine are of intricate designs and workmanship. Saint Arunagirinathar has also composed Thirupugazh on Lord Subramanya here.
Temple is on the hill which is red in color. One can take on 1206 steps to reach the top of the hill to worship the Lord Shiva-Ardhanareeswarar.
The period of the temple dates back to sangam period and renovated during the periods of cholas, pandyas and nayak kings.
The people from villages offer milk, ghee or cheese to Pasuvan Swami so that their homes could become abundant with these produce.
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Dont's:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.