Thiruchengkodu: Ardhanareeswarar Temple.




We traveled from Bhavani to Thiruchengkodu temple. The distance is about 25 kms. The hill is red in colour.








We find an arch at the entrance, with a road leading up for vehicles and steps, for pedestrians to climb. One has to climb 1200 steps to reach the temple door.








This is One of 275 Devara Sthalam of lord Siva.








Ardhanareeswarar is one of 64 manifestation of Lord Siva, representing the unity of Sakthi and Siva. This is the one of the temple dedicated for Ardhanareeswarar as main deity. Normally Lord Siva is seen in Lingam form but here He is in human form.









The Hill is in the Lingam form, and it looks like the union of Lord Siva and Sakthi as one.








The main Raja gopuram is of five tiers.













As we enter the main door we find Dwajasthambam. There is a mandapam with pillars having sculptures of various deities.









From here, we enter into to Murugan sannidhi, who is known as Thiru Chengkottu velavar. Chengkottu Velvar is as popular as Lord Ardhanareeswarar. Arunagirinadhar has contributed songs for Velavar of this temple in his Thirupugazh.




Main Deity is Swayambu Navabashana Ardhanareeswarar and Ambaal here, known as Bagampiriyaal. Ardhanareeswarar is a combination of Lord Siva and Parvathy. Right side of the deity is Lord Siva and the left side Ambaal. During Aarthi time, poojari will show near the leg where we can have darshan of four legs of Lord Siva and Ambaal Parvathy.



Teertham is known as Deva teertham which flows under the feet of Ardhanareeswarar.








Sthala Vruksham: Iluppai Maram.










We find beautiful sculptures to the side walls of temple when we go around the temple.




Sthala Purana: Bringy Muni, was great devotee of Lord Siva and used to worship only Lord Siva. One day when Lord Siva and Parvathy Devi was together, Bringi Muni came to worship Siva; he took the form of BEE, and worshiped only Lord Siva and ignored Sakthi who was next to Lord Siva. Parvathy got agitated with Bringi, for his ignorance of not knowing power of Goddess Sakthi. She cursed him to loose his power for neglecting Her.



Lord Siva showed Bringui muni, his original form of Ardhanareeswarar, which is the form of Siva and Parvathy as one. There is a sculpture of Bringi Muni in the temple.




Importance: The Hill is in red colour. Once, “Adi seshan and Vayu Bhagawan” wanted to test who is powerful among the two. The condition was, “Adiseshan” should hold the mountain tight with his head and “Vayu” should release himself from the grip. When Adiseshn holded Vayu with his hood. Vayu blew fiercly and the mountain pieces fell at many places. The hill is known as Thiruchengkodu. The hill is in red colour, because of the blood that oozed when Adiseshan pressed Vayu bagwan, with his hood. The hill is also known as Nagagiri and Vayu malai.



Inside the temple premises we see a small sanctum for Adiseshan








We see these pillars, as we go around.








As we go around the temple there is a separate shrine of Adi Kesava Perumal with dwajasthambam in front.




We see other deities like Vinayakar, Viswanadhar and Visalakshi, Natarajar and Sivakami ammai, Siddhi Vinayakar, Adi seshan, Sooryan, Bairavar, and Navagraha.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva.