Thiruchengkodu Temple, Erode.

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.

KacchanamTemple, Thiruvarore District

Kacchanam : Thiruvarore District.


The place Kacchanam is about 15 kms from Thiruvaroore to Thiruthurai poondy. The temple is on the main road itself. This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.
This is a Madakkoil built by Cochengat Cholan. The main Raja Gopuram of the temple is of three tiers and two prakaram.



Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Kaichinna Nadhar and his consort known as Palvalai Nayaki.



Sthala Vruksham is known as Kongu, Ilavam. Teertham is Indra Pushkarani / Vajra Teertham.



Other deities seen in the temple are Vinyakar, Subramanyar, Natrajar, Ardhanaareeswarar, and Maha Lakshmi sanctum. We see Durgi, Saraswathy and Jeshta Devi as koshta Devathy.




Importance : Here Saraswathy is seen first who represent Knowledge, Durgai next who represent Intelligence and next we see Jeshta Devi who represent Laziness and finally the sanctum for Lakshmi Devi who represents wealth. The order is to show just by having knowledge and intelligence, it is not enough, if hard work is not there you cannot gain wealth.




Indran, Agasthiyar, Thrunabindu Muni, Vidhuman and Mithrsakan worshiped Lord Siva of this temple and were blessed. Indra worshiped Lord Siva to get rid of his curse by Gowthama Muni. Agasthiyar got rid of Brahmahathy dosham by worshiping Lord Siva of this temple.



Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagirinadhar in his Thirupugzh, sung about this place as Vaippu sthalam.

Thiru Vilvaranyeswarar, Thiru Kalambur, Nannilam.

Sri Vilvaranyeswarar temple, Thiru kalambur.



The place Thiru Kalambur is about six Kms from Thiru Kudavasal. The place is also known as Brahma Vanam, Kandeepa Vanam and Panchakra puram on the banks of River Vettaru.



This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The main Raja Gopuram is of five storey with two Prakaram.






Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Vilwaranyeswarar and his consort known as Soundra Nayaki Amman. Teertham is Brahma teertham in front of the temple and Sthala Vruksham known as Vilvam.




Other Deties seen in the temple as we go around the prakaram is Poiaadha Vinayakar, Murugan, Adi Vilvanadhar, Pancha Lingam and Gaja Lakshmi sanctums.
Agsthiyar, Arjuna and Brahma worshipped Lord Siva of this place.



Sthala Purna says when Thiru Gyana Sambandhar visited the temple the River Vettaru was full of water flowing due to storm. No boat man was there to cross him across the river to reach the temple. “Sambandhar” asked his companions to remove one of the boats which were kept safe on the banks. They all sat in the boat and Gyana Sambandhar sung hymns on Lord Siva and they reached other bank and reached the temple. Even today the day is celebrated every year.



Stone inscriptions to the period of 3rd Kulothangan and 3rd Raja raja Cholan say Lord Siva is Thiru Kollam Boodhudayar and Amman as Azhagiya Nachiyar.

[Hymns][Kadamba Vanam][Kandeepa Vanam]

Thiruvarore Araneri and Paravayul Maa ndali Temple. Thiruvarore.

1. Thiruvarore Araneri / Asalesam .
   
   
   
   This temple is one of 275 Devara sthalam of Lord Siva.
   
   
   
   This place Thiruvarore Araneri is within the main temple of Thirvarore Thiru Moolattanam.
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Araneriappar facing west, and his consort known as Vandar Kuzhali ammai.
   
   
   
   Importance of this place is Naminadhiadigal Nayanar lit the lamp with water. This information is mentioned in the Thevaram (Hymns) sung by Thirunavukarasar.
   
   
   
   Stone inscriptions say The Araneri temple was built by Chembian madevi with the help of stones.
   
   
   
   Thiru Navukkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Paravayul Maandali
   
   
   
   This temple is opposite to Thiruvarore temple chariot halted at East Street. (Keezha Veedi)
   
   
   This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Thuvai Nadhar and his consort known as Panjin melladi Ammai.
   
   
   
   
   Sthala purana says “Durvasa Muni” worshiped Lord Siva of this place hence the name “Dhurvasa Nayinaar.” “Sundarar” got back his eye sight, by having a dip in the pushkarani and worshiping Lord Siva.
   
   
   
   Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.