Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Thiruchengode :

Arthanareeswarar sanctuary is an antiquated Hindu sanctuary, situated in Tiruchengode, in the southern Indian province of Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is devoted to Arthanāreeswarā, the special half-male ,half-female form of Lord Shiva. The god here is otherwise called Madhorubagan and Ammaiyappan (mother-father). The well known Chenkottu Velavar Temple, devoted to Lord Murugan, is additionally arranged on a similar slope.

One more name for the Arthanareeswara Temple is Thirukodimada Chenkundrur.

ABOUT THE MURTI:

The principle god is tended to as ‘Ardhanareeswarar’ or ‘Mathorubagan’. Remaining as tall as 6-feet, half-man and half-lady, he has a monumental presence, and is accepted to have been normally framed (Swayambhu) immaculate by etch or hammer. His tangled locks packaged up to a crown, his head adorned with the brilliant moon, his neck and chest decorated with strands of the holy rudraksha and a sparkling ‘thali‘ (the marital neckband worn by a lady to show she is hitched), Mathorubagan is equipped with a club or Dhandaayudham. He faces toward the west. Since Mathorubaagan is Shiva and Shakti as ONE, the god is hung in dhoti on the right and a saree on the left. The left foot decorates an anklet.

Underneath the moolavar’s heavenly feet is a little spring called the Deva Theertham that won’t ever dry. On Vaikasi Vishakam day, Thirukkalyana Vaibhavam, the wedding function of the Lord is led. The priests act like Swami and decorate Ambal with the ‘thali’, the marital string. This training is followed since there is no different symbol for Amman.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES :

The idol of Lord Muruga in the northern passageway is of excellent quality. Lauded and prayed as Sengottu Velavar, Muruga stands pointing toward the east, favoring his devotees with a great darshan. The sanctuary exercises incorporate an every day pooja for Sengottu Velavar at ucchikaalam (early afternoon) with abhishekam and extraordinary contributions. The Tamizh Saint-artist, Arunagirinathar has sung the significance of this Muruga in his Thiruppugazh refrains. The amazing and resplendent mantapam before the Sengottu Velavar sanctuary is home to staggeringly cut columns, adorned with complicatedly created models, displaying the significance of craftsmanship and architecture of the period and furthermore filling in as a declaration to the abilities of antiquated stone carvers.

The Lingam that was worshipped by Amman to become one with the Lord is situated inside the fundamental sanctum. This heavenly lingam is carried and worshipped alongside Ardhanareeswarar just during the three fundamental ceremonies of the day – morning, early afternoon and evening poojas. The goddess herself is viewed as playing out the pooja. Exceptional abhishekam is performed at ucchikaalam. Mythological narratives propose that the Shiva at Thirucchengodu was worshipped by MahaVishnu, Adiseshan and numerous different gods.

In the event that one would make the moves to the top, on the way is worshipped Naagar, the snake god, cut on rock. He is accepted to have incredible force and the holy place draws in lovers from everywhere the country, who are looking for cure from Naaga dosham. Lord Ardhanareeshwarar is viewed as the Lord of the birth star, Sadhayam. The fortunes of those brought into the world under Sadhaya Nakshatram are supposed to be in his grasp and consequently, extraordinary pooja is presented on nowadays. Devotees can offer their prayers to the Lord on this day to conquer any adversity.

ARCHITECTURE :

The sanctuary with its craft, structure and architecture remains as probably the best model for the significance of old Tamil figure. The sign of the external praaharam is the strategy of 30 solid stone columns with wonderfully etched sculptures of fighters riding ponies and yaalis (legendary animals that are half-lion and half-elephants, of tremendous force). The mantapam before the Sengottu Velavar sannidhi has a few novel and important models of Veerabhadrar, Manmathan, Rathi, Kali. These are stone monuments as well. The dazzling workmanship in the stone carvings of a lotus twisted around its tail, parrots, chains and chain joins on the rooftop top of this mantapam leaves one in wonderment of the origination, ability, arranging and execution. The garbha graham or the sanctum of Lord Nageshwara is again bedecked with amazing figures. The columns in the mantapam connecting the sanctum are likewise cut with fighter sculptures on ponies, yaalis, like the ones in the external hallway. Thiruchengodu Ardhanareeswarar sanctuary is hence a secret stash of old compelling artwork and model which we need to love and save forever.