Thiru Kodimada Chenguntrur, photograph 1 of 6

Swayambu

Thiru Kodimada Chenguntrur Sri Ardhanareeswarar Temple 4th of 7 in Kongu Nadu · Temples near Erode

Darshan today6:00 am – 6:00 pm

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Moolavar: Arthanareeswarar / Mathoru Pagar
Ambal: Bagam Priyal
Theertham: Devatheertham
Sthala vriksham: Iluppai Tree
Pathigam by: Thirugnanasambanthar

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 12 January 20161,100 words · 6 min

Visited on: January 12, 2016

Location

Thiruchengode is 20 kms from Erode and 35 kms from Namakkal.

Nearest airports are at Coimbatore and Trichy; both are at a distance of about 130 kms. Nearest major railway station is at Erode.

General information

Moolavar: Sri Arthanareeswarar / Sri Mathoru Pagar
Ambal: Sri Bagam Priyal
Theertham: Devatheertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Iluppai Tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by: Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 4^th Shiva Sthalam in Kongu Nadu.
Moolavar is Swayambhumurthy (self-manifested) constituted of Nava Bashanam.
This temple is located at the top of a hill, at a height of about 1900 feet and there are about 1200 steps to reach the top. You can either choose to climb the stairs or take the motorable road. Vehicles are going right up to the entrance of the temple.
The moolavar sannathi is facing the west.
Lord Mahavishnu and Adiseshan are believed to have worshiped this Moolavar.

History of the temple

This is an ancient temple and according to the inscriptions on the walls it must have been built about 2000 years ago.

The hill, that this temple is on top of, is mainly composed of sandstone and is reddish (senniram) in colour. This is why the place is called Sencode. Another reason for the name Sencode could be that the hill is a straight formation (Senguthana malai). Other names of this hill are Nagagiri (nagam meaning snake and giri meaning malai) and Vayumalai (wind).

Legend

As per mythology, Adisheshan (the serpent on whom Sri Mahavishnu rests) and Vayu (lord of the winds) fought among themselves frequently to test their superiority. During one such struggle, against Vayu’s severe wind, Adhiseshan failed to hold on to the Mount Meru. Three portions of Meru Malai came down to earth with Adisheshan’s blood stain. One such piece is this hill. Since it was believed to be red in colour due to Adisheshan’s blood stain, it is also called sencode.

An interesting fact is that this hill itself is considered as the Lingam. In front of this hill, on the west side is the statue of a large Nandhi – seven feet in length and four feet in height.

The distinctive feature of this temple is that the idol of the main deity is six feet in height with the right half depicted as male and the left half as female. The male portion of the idol has jadamudi (knot of hair), thandam (baton), Silambu (anklet) and Rudraksham mala whereas the female portion has a Kazhal at the leg and Thali around the neck. Due to the androgynous nature of the idol, the deity is known as Arthanareeswarar.

The lord is also known as Madhorubagan and Ammayappan. It is claimed that this rare posture of the Lord as prime deity can only be found in this temple in the whole of Asia.

This temple also has an emerald lingam “Maragatha Lingam” and a small statue of Birunki Maharishi in front of the Moolavar.

As per mythology, it is believed that whenever Sage Birunki used to visit Kailash, he would take the form of a small insect and perform his worship by flying around Lord Shiva only. He would ignore the Ambal even though they were both sitting together. Angered by this, Ambal cursed Sage Birunki. Lord Siva intervened and pacified Ambal by explaining to her that Ambal is inseparable from Shiva. This legend is believed to be another reason behind this unique union of Swamy and Ambal as it represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe.

Another reason for the origin of the androgynous nature of the lord is attributed to the belief that Ambal worshiped this Maragatha Lingam. Daily three times Pooja is performed to this Lingam and these poojas are believed to be performed by the Ambal herself.

Another legend associated with Thiruchengode is that when Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this place he found that the people were adversely affected by “vishakaichal” (Viral Fever) due to “vishakkatru” (hazardous pollutants in the air). He sang the “Thiruneelakanda Pathigam” to relieve the people from their suffering.

Deities in the temple

There is no separate Ambal Sannadhi as the Moolavar is of Arthanareeswarar.

Senkottu Velavar shrine is on the back side of the main sanctum sanctorum.

Mahavishnu, with his consorts Sreedevi and Poodevi, has a separate shrine here. Mahavishnu is worshiped here as Adikesava Perumal and a Battachariyar performs the daily poojas as per Vaishnava traditions.

Salient features

There is a small “Neer Ootru” (fresh water spring) under the Swami’s foot which has water in it always. This is called Devatheertham and is distributed to the devotees as prasadam.

Here Lord Murugan is called “Senkottu Velavar” and is also a self-manifested idol constituted of “Vellai pashanam” (white poison).

According to the legend, once, in a contest between his brother Ganesha and himself, Lord Muruga lost the prize of the divine fruit (Gnana pazham). Angry with his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, Lord Muruga left Mount Kailash and came to south India and reached Thiruvavinankudi and thereafter reached Nagachala Hills (Tiruchengode) and took residence here and blesses devotees as Sengottu Velavar.

A sixty feet long relief of Adiseshan inscribed in the hill on the way to the temple is very famous here. This relief of Adiseshan is revered by people hoping to mitigate the ill effects of “Sarbha Dosham”, Raghu Dosham, Kala Sarbha Dosham and Kalathira Dosham.

The sculptures found in the hallway in front of the Senkottu Velavar shrine have intricate design and exquisite workmanship.

The pillars in the hallway are beautifully chiselled with a number of rock reliefs. Overall this temple exemplifies the artistic expertise of ancient Tamil Nadu.

Greatness of this temple

Arthanareeswarar is considered to be the lord of the star “Sadayam” so special poojas are conducted on the days of Sadaya Nakshatram.

It is believed that if one walks around the hill on a full moon day, he will get the benefit of visiting Mount Kailash and Vaikunth.

It is also believed that serpent related Doshams are relieved by worshiping the Adiseshan here.

Important festivals

A special 21-day Pooja (Kedara Gowri Viradam) is performed in September - October (Puratasi month) by women for the longevity of their husbands and marital bliss.

This temple celebrates the Vaikasi Visaga Festival every year in a grand manner.

The special feature of this festival is that there are four car chariots - the first one for Lord Vinayagar, the second for Lord Sengottu Velavar, the third for Lord Arthanareeswarar and the fourth for Lord Aadhikesava Perumal.

Great poets and saints like Arunagirinathar, Ilango Adigal, Kaviraja Pandithar have immortalized this temple in their divine poems.

Saint Arunagirinathar has also composed Thirupugazh on Lord Senkottu Velavar here.

Temple timings

06.00 AM to 06.00 PM

Temple address

Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple

Arthanareeswarar Hills

Thiruchengode

Namakkal District

Tamil Nadu

Pincode: 637 211.

Phone No: 04288 255925, 93642 29181.

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Today6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Phone04288 25592593642 29181

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

Arthanareeswarar, half male and half female

The write-up says the main deity is six feet tall, shown male on the right and female on the left, on a hill considered the Lingam.

An androgynous idolThe idol's right half is male and its left half female, so the deity is known as Arthanareeswarar.
The hill is the LingamThe hill itself is considered the Lingam, with a large Nandhi facing it on the west side.
A spring under the Lord's footA fresh water spring under the Swami's foot always has water, and is given to devotees as prasadam.
A relief of AdiseshanA sixty feet long relief of Adiseshan is inscribed in the hill on the way to the temple.

Significance

A Thevaram sthalam on Nagagiri hill

One of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams, the fourth Shiva Sthalam in Kongu Nadu.

Sung by ThirugnanasambantharThe Pathigam of this temple was rendered by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar.
The Thiruneelakanda PathigamHe sang the Thiruneelakanda Pathigam here to relieve the people suffering from viral fever.
Praised by poets and saintsArunagirinathar, Ilango Adigal and Kaviraja Pandithar have immortalized this temple in their poems.
A very old templeAccording to the inscriptions on the walls, it must have been built about 2000 years ago.

Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for relief from serpent-related doshams, for marital bliss, and to walk around the hill.

For serpent doshams: AdiseshanPeople hoping to mitigate Sarbha Dosham, Raghu Dosham, Kala Sarbha Dosham and Kalathira Dosham revere the Adiseshan relief.
For marital bliss: Kedara Gowri ViradamWomen perform a special 21-day pooja in Puratasi for the longevity of their husbands and marital bliss.
For Kailash and Vaikunth: walk around the hillIt is believed that walking around the hill on a full moon day gives the benefit of visiting Mount Kailash and Vaikunth.
For the star Sadayam: special poojasArthanareeswarar is considered the lord of the star Sadayam, so special poojas are held on Sadaya Nakshatram days.

276Paadal Petra Sthalams

One of 276 Sthalams

Legends of Thiruchengode

In their contest, three portions of Mount Meru fell to earth with Adisheshan's blood stain, and this hill is one of them.

Ambal cursed Sage Birunki for ignoring her; Lord Siva explained that she is inseparable from him.

Ambal is believed to have worshiped the Maragatha Lingam, and its poojas are believed to be performed by her.

After losing the contest of the divine fruit, Lord Muruga left Kailash and took residence here as Sengottu Velavar.

Vaikasi Visaga and four car chariots

The Vaikasi Visaga Festival has four car chariots, one each for Vinayagar, Sengottu Velavar, Arthanareeswarar and Aadhikesava Perumal.

The deities of this temple

* Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

From the sanctum to the corridors

Moolavarஅ

Moolavar

Sri Arthanareeswarar

Moolavar: Sri Arthanareeswarar / Sri Mathoru Pagar. The Moolavar is of Arthanareeswarar, so there is no separate Ambal Sannadhi.

Ambalபா

Ambal

Sri Bagam Priyal

There is no separate Ambal Sannadhi as the Moolavar is of Arthanareeswarar.

Shrine behind the sanctumசெ

Shrine behind the sanctum

Senkottu Velavar

Senkottu Velavar shrine is on the back side of the main sanctum sanctorum.

Separate shrineஆ

Separate shrine

Adikesava Perumal

Mahavishnu, with his consorts Sreedevi and Poodevi, has a separate shrine here, and is worshiped as Adikesava Perumal.

Sacred geography

You are hereThis temple

Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

Darshan today6:00 am – 6:00 pm

6:00 – 6:00

Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

Plan the day around it

Address and phone

Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple, Arthanareeswarar Hills, Thiruchengode, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, Pincode: 637 211.

04288 255925

A day of darshan nearby

One more sthalam within reach, 19.9 km away in a straight line.

Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

1 Thiruppandi KodumudiSri Magudeswarar Temple19.9 km from the last stop

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The relief of Adiseshan

A sixty feet long relief of Adiseshan inscribed in the hill on the way to the temple is very famous here.

1 / 5

Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

Click here to read the Thiruneelakanda Pathigam.

V. Muthukumaraswamy

Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam here. Verse 1 of 11.

   Ventha veṇṇīṟu aṇinthu virinūl
    thikazhmārpil nalla panthu aṇavum viralāḷ
    orupākam amarnthu aruḷik konthu aṇavum
   pozhilchūzh koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr niṉtṟa
   anthaṇaṉaith thozhuvār avalam aṟuppārē

The Lord wears the white ash and a broad sacred thread on his shining chest. He sits graciously with the lady whose fingers hold a fine ball, sharing one half of himself with her. He dwells at Sengunrur, surrounded by groves and flag-topped mansions. Those who worship him there will have their sorrow cut away.

Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

All eleven verses

01
வெந்த வெண்ணீறு அணிந்து விரிநூல்திகழ்மார்பில் நல்ல பந்து அணவும் விரலாள்ஒருபாகம் அமர்ந்து அருளிக் கொந்து அணவும்பொழில்சூழ் கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் நின்றஅந்தணனைத் தொழுவார் அவலம் அறுப்பாரே

Ventha veṇṇīṟu aṇinthu virinūl / thikazhmārpil nalla panthu aṇavum viralāḷ / orupākam amarnthu aruḷik konthu aṇavum / pozhilchūzh koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr niṉtṟa / anthaṇaṉaith thozhuvār avalam aṟuppārē
02
அலை மலி தண்புனலோடு அரவமு சடைக்குஅணிந்து ஆகம் மலைமகள் கூறு உடையான்மலையார் இளவாழைக் குலை மலி தண்பொழில்சூழ் கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் நின்றதலை மகனைத் தொழுவார் தடுமாற்று அறுப்பாரே

Alai mali thaṇpuṉalōdu aravamu chaṭaikku / aṇinthu ākam malaimakaḷ kūṟu udaiyāṉ / malaiyār iḷavāzhaik kulai mali thaṇpozhil / chūzh koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr niṉṟta / thalai makaṉaith thozhuvār thadumātṟu aṟuppārē
03
பால் அன நீறுபுனை திருமார்பில்பல்வளைக்கை நல்ல ஏல மலர்க்குழலாள்ஒருபாகம் அமர்ந்து அருளிக் கோல மலர்ப்பொழில்சூழ் கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் மல்கும்நீல நல்மாமிடற்றான் கழல் ஏத்தல் நீதியே

Pāl aṉa nīṟupuṉai thirumārpil / palvaḷaikkai nalla ēla malarkkuzhalāḷ / orupākam amarnthu aruḷik kōla malarppozhil / chūzh koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr malkum / nīla nalmāmiṭatṟāṉ kazhal ētthal nīthiyē
04
வார் உறு கொங்கை நல்ல மடவாள் திகழ்மார்பில் நண்ணும் கார் உறு கொன்றையொடும்கதநாகம் பூண்டு அருளிச் சீர் உறும் அந்தணர்வாழ் கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் நின்றநீரி உறு செஞ்சடையான் கழல் ஏத்தல் நீதியே

Vār uṟu koṅgkai nalla madavāḷ thikazh / mārpil naṇṇum kār uṟu koṉtṟaiyodum / kathanākam pooṇdu aruḷich chīr uṟum anthaṇar / vāzh koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr niṉtṟa / nīri uṟu cheñchaṭaiyāṉ kazhal ētthal nīthiyē
05
பொன் திகழ் ஆமையொடு புரிநூல் திகழ்மார்பில் நல்ல பன்றியின் கொம்பு அணிந்துபணைத்தோளியோர் பாகமாகக் குன்றனமாளிகை சூழ் கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் வானில் மின்திகழ் செஞ்சடையான் கழல் ஏத்தல் மெய்ப்பொருளே

Poṉ thikazh āmaiyodu purinūl thikazh / mārpil nalla paṉtṟiyiṉ kompu aṇinthu / paṇaitthōḷiyōr pākamākak kuṉtṟaṉa / māḷikai chūzh koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr vāṉil miṉ / thikazh cheñchaṭaiyāṉ kazhal ētthal meypporuḷē
06
ஓங்கிய மூவிலை நல் சூலம் ஒரு கையன்சென்னி தாங்கிய கங்கையொடு மதியம்சடைக்கு அணிந்து கோங்கு அணவும் பொழில் சூழ்கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் வாய்ந்த பாங்கனதாள் தொழுவார் வினையாய பற்று அறுமே

Ōṅkiya mūvilai nal chūlam oru kaiyaṉ / seṉṉi thāṅkiya kaṅkaiyodu mathiyam / chaṭaikku aṇinthu kōṅku aṇavum pozhil chūzh / koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr vāyntha pāṅkaṉa / thāḷ tozhuvār viṉaiyāya patṟṟu aṟumē
07
நீடு அல்ர் கொன்றையொடு நிமிர்புன்சடைதாழ வெள்ளை வாடல் இடை தலையில்பலிகொள்ளும் வாழ்க்கையனாய்க் கோடல் வளம்புறவில் கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் நின்றசேடன தாள் தொழுவார் வினையாய தேயுமே

Nīdu alar koṉtṟaiyodu nimirpuṉchaṭai / thāzha veḷḷai vādal idai thalaiyil / palikoḷḷum vāzhkkaiyaṉāyk kōdal vaḷam / puṟavil koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr niṉtṟa / sēṭaṉa thāḷ tozhuvār viṉaiyāya thēyumē
08
மத்தநல் மாமலரும் மதியும்வளர் கொன்றையுடன்துன்று தொத்து அலர் செஞ்சடைமேல் துதையஉடன்சூடிக் கொத்து அலர் தண்பொழில் சூழ்கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் மேய தத்துவனைத்தொழுவார் தடுமாற்று அறுப்பாரே

Mathanal māmalarum mathiyumvaḷar koṉtṟaiyuṭaṉ / thuṉtṟu thothu alar cheñchaṭaimēl thuthaiya / udaṉchūṭik kothu alar thaṇpozhil chūzh / koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr mēya tathuvaṉaith / tozhuvār tadumātṟu aṟuppārē
09
செம்பொனின் மேனியனாம் பிரமன் திருமாலும்தேட நின்ற அம் பவளத்திரள் போல் ஒளியாயஆதிபிரான் கொம்பு அணவும் பொழில் சூழ்கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் மேய நம்பன தாள்தொழுவார் வினையாய நாசமே

Chempoṉiṉ mēṉiyaṉām piramaṉ thirumālum / thēda niṉtṟa am pavaḷathiraḷ pōl oḷiyāya / āthipirāṉ kompu aṇavum pozhil chūzh / koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr mēya nampaṉa thāḷ / thozhuvār viṉaiyāya nāsamē
10
போதியர் பிண்டியர் என்று இவர்கள் புறங்கூறும்பொய்ந்நூல் ஓதிய கட்டுரை கேட்டு உழல்வீர்வரிக்குயில்கள் கோதிய தண்பொழில் சூழ்கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் நின்ற வேதியனைத்தொழநும் வினையான வீடுமே

Pōthiyar piṇdiyar eṉtṟu ivarkaḷ puṟaṅgkūṟum / poynnūl ōthiya kaṭṭurai kēṭṭu uzhalvīr / varikkuyilkaḷ kōthiya thaṇpozhil chūzh / koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr niṉṟa vēthiyaṉaith / thozhanum viṉaiyāṉa vīdumē
11
அலைமலி தண்புனல் சூழ்ந்து அழகு ஆர்புகலிந்நகர் பேணும் தலைமகன் ஆகி நின்ற தமிழ்ஞானசம்பந்தன் கொலைமலி மூவிலையான்கொடிமாடச் செங்குன்றூர் ஏத்தும் நலம்மலிபாடல் வல்லார் வினையான நாசமே

The last verse says that those who can sing these good songs of Gnanasambandan on Sengunrur will have their deeds destroyed.

Alaimali thaṇpuṉal chūzhnthu azhaku ār / pukalinnakar pēṇum thalaimakaṉ āki niṉtṟa thamizh / gñāṉasampanthaṉ kolaimali mūvilaiyāṉ / koṭimāṭach cheṅkuṉtṟūr ēthum nalam'mali / pādal vallār viṉaiyāṉa nāsamē

Photographs

6 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

Thiru Kodimada Chenguntrur Sri Ardhanareeswarar Temple 4th of 7 in Kongu Nadu · Temples near Erode

Temple

Location

General information

History of the temple

Legend

Deities in the temple

Salient features

Greatness of this temple

Important festivals

Temple timings

Temple address

Highlights

What makes this temple special

Arthanareeswarar, half male and half female

A Thevaram sthalam on Nagagiri hill

Why devotees come here

One of 276 Sthalams

Legends of Thiruchengode

Vaikasi Visaga and four car chariots

Deities

The deities of this temple

Sri Arthanareeswarar

Sri Bagam Priyal

Senkottu Velavar

Adikesava Perumal

Visit & map

Plan the day around it

Address and phone

A day of darshan nearby

Temple plan

The relief of Adiseshan

Pathigam

All eleven verses

Photos

Photographs