Location & History

Tirchengode is in the vicinity of Erode and Salem in Kongunaadu. 

Tiruchengode near Salem and Erode - Tamilnadu, enshrines the Ardhanareeswarar (man-woman) manifestation of Shiva, representing the unity of Shiva and Parvati, is enshrined in this revered hill temple of great significance, accessible by a motorable road; this is an ancient temple mentioned in the Tamil work Silappadikaram as Neduvelkunru. The red color of the hill caused the name Chengode. The image above, shows the view of the surrounding area from the top of the Tiruchengode hill. This temple is regarded as the 4th of the 7 Tevara Stalams in the Kongu Region of Tamilnadu.
 

Adi Kesava Perumal, enshrined here, instructed Gowri on the Kedara Gowri Vratam which she performed to unite with Shiva as Ardhanareeswarar. One of the 64 manifestations of Shiva - the man-woman form with Parvati constituting the left half of Shiva.

The Temple

Ancient walls, mandapams and sculptured pillars (now in a state of disrepair) add to the awe that this temple perpetuates, on top of the hill. The motorway and the renovated Rajagopuram are of recent origin. True to the name Nagagiri, there is a 60 ft long snake carved on the hill.

 Although the sanctum faces the West, entrance to it is from the South. A majestic image of Ardanareeswarar adorns the sanctum.There is a water spring at the foot of the image which is said to have been divinely manifested (Uli Padaa Uruvam). There are inscriptions here from the times of Parantaka Chola, Gangaikonda Chola, the Vijayanagar & Mysore Kings and the Nayaks.

The Tiruchengottuvelavar shrine (to Subramanyar) attracts a number of pilgrims.
Sambandar composed the Tiruneela kandapatikam here, to help rid fellow travellers of an affliction. Muthuswamy Deekshitar has sung of this shrine in Ardhanareeswaram in Kumudakriya. 

The three moorthies Arthanareeswarar, Chengoduvelan and Athikesava Perumal have seperate shrines for each in this temple. But even then popularly known as Arthanareeswarar temple. This hill temple is also called as Malaithambiran temple. This temple has many temples included in it. They are listed below:

Arulmighu Kailashanathar Temple
Arulmighu Arumugaswamy Temple
Arulmighu Abathu kathaVinayagar Temple
Arulmighu Malaikavallar Temple
Arulmighu Bhadrakaliamman Temple
Arulmighu Periyamariamman Temple
Arulmighu Pandeeswarar Temple

Arulmighu Kailashanathar Temple :-
Across the streets of Thiruchengodu city, located is the Kailashanathar Temple with a large tower as a crown on it. This temple is otherwise known as Nilathambiran Temple. It was said that this temple was built by a king called VikramaThevan, so this temple is also called as Vikrama Pandeeswarar temple. This temple's area is 240 square feet and its tower is 76 feet in height. Infront of this temple is a 45 feet single stone vilakuthuun. 

It was belived that during 17th century, the kingMarirasenthiran started kumbabishegam. Aftew Hundreds of years, the temple was renovated and kumbabishe-gam was performed under the supervision of member of Legistrative Assembly, Tiruchengode Thiru.T.P. ARUMUGAM M.L.A.

In one of the auspicious days, the temple's recent kumbabishegam was performed on 03.11.2000 at 9.15 to 10.15 under the goverance of Thiru T.P. ARUMUGAM. The kumbabishegam was performed in agrand way.

A battle of strength between Adi Seshan and Vayu, saw the former clinging tightly to Mount Meru and Vayu using his might to blow it away. The latter succeeded in blowing it away to Tiruchengode and the blood spilled by Adiseshan colored it red. Kamadhenu is said to have obtained 5 hills from Shiva, of which this was one; hence this hill with 2 stories of its origin,with rocks colored both red and yellow represents the masculine and feminine aspects of the Ardhanareeswara manifestation of Shiva. 

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