Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Tiruchengode Ardhanareeswarar Temple

This trip was made in July 2008. Left Coimbatore around 6.30 am and drove via Avinashi & Erode to reach Tiruchengode @9.00 am. Went straight to the Kodimaadachenkunrur temple which is atop a hill. This temple is considered the 4th among the seven Tevara Sthalams in Kongunadu.
The main deity is an amalgamation of Siva & Parvati in the form of Ardhanareeswarar (half man & half woman). While there is Dandayutham in Siva's hand , Parvati has her hands on her hips. Ambal is known as Baagampiriyaalammai.
Saint Sambandhar has sung here. There is a water spring at the foot of the image.
Skanda or Tiruchengotuvelavar shrine occupies an important position in this temple.Outside this sannithi are east facing subshrines of Arunagirinathar & Ganesha.
There is a Dwaja Sthambam & a Nandi on the western prakaram facing Ardhanareeswarar shrine. Likewise there is another Dwaja Sthambam & a Peacock on the east side facing Chengottuvelavar.
Legend: Adi Kesava Perumal instructed Gowri on the Kesava Gowri Vritam which she performed to unite with Shiva as Ardhanareeswarar. This is one of the 64 manifestations of Shiva.
A battle of strength between Vayu & Adi Seshan took place & the former was clinging tightly to Mt.Meru while Vayu was trying to blow it away. Vayu succeeded in blowing Adiseshan away to Tiruchengodu. The blood spilled by Adiseshan colored the hill as red & hence the name chengode. If you climb the hill by the steps you come across the image of a snake carved on the hill.
The Temple: Unique feature of the temple are the mandapams carrying exquisitely sculpted pillars which includes sculptures of Veerabhadran, Oordva tandavamurthy, Alangattu kali, Korathan & Koravi and a variety of other figures on stone. The sculptures are a supreme & sublime poetry on stone. There are stone inscriptions reportedly pertaining to the times of Parantaka Cholan, Gangaikonda Cholan, Vijyanagara & Mysore Kings & the Nayaks.
The view of Tiruchengodu town from atop the temple is magnificent. As you drive up or down you come close to the rock face and can clearly see the redness on the surface.
There is an elevated walkway on the South Prakaram from where you can clearly see the North Gopuram as well as well as the Vimanam of Ardhanareswarar. See pics below:

Tiruchengode Hill climb
Rock Surface - black & redTemple Entrance driveway
Sculptures on Temple wall
Exquisite Sculptures on Pillars
Rajagopuram (Entrance Tower)Dwaja Sthambam (Flag Staff) facing Ardhanareeswarar
The killing of a demon
A Man and his consort
Urthva Thandavar - a fierce dance form of Siva
A goddess
The King and his several wives
Sapth Mathas - Celestial Ladies
Lady paying obeisance to the Lord
A well attired male
Beautiful Lady carrying finely woven basket
Ardhanareeswarar Vimanam & Rajagopuram in backdrop
Ardhanareeswarar Vimanam - close up view
View of sub shrine vimanam
View of Tiruchengode town from Temple top
Return drive down the hill

50 comments:

  1. Lovely captures. the road up to the temple looks awesome.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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  2. Lovely set of pictures. The landscapes are fabulous as well.

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  3. Beautiful pics. I visited this 2 years back and remember seeing the Holy Feet of Ardhanareeshwara.

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  4. Ooo my dear friend, statues!!!!!!
    Very interest and nice place!!!
    Best regards

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  5. Beautiful, lucky you to visit all these. :)

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  6. Divine!

    A beautiful and serene place...I need a trip to such calm place right now. Beautiful shots...

    Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Nothing like an amalgamated deity! We need more of 'em.

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  8. I love the exotic names, each one tongue twisters to me. So many great statues for such temple. :)

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  9. Happy New Year!
    Very beautiful set of photos.
    Wish you good health and many adventures.
    RedRose from Japan.

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  10. Thank you for sharing this interesting trip of yours.
    Happy New Year to you!!

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  11. Beautiful photos!
    Fascinating rocks and beautiful temple.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Mette

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  12. The sculptures are really unique! I must visit this temple!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Awesome ! I envy you .Hope someday i get lucky to visit this beautiful temple.Thanks for sharing .

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  14. Lovely coverage of our trip to this temple .

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  15. Excellent shots of the place. The sculptures are exquiste.

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  16. Namaste and happy new year.
    YOu sure do travel a lot. Those rolling mountain tops are fantastic. Thanks for the tour.

    stay blessed.
    rhapsody
    http://twitter.com/rhapsodyphoenix

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  17. Fabulous captures. The Temple architecture is magnificient and breathtaking. Loved them all, hope you have a wonderful weekend:)

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  18. The views up/down the hill, those from temple top, as well as the sculptures on the walls and pillars of the temple - are just breath taking!
    Thanks for sharing.

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  19. The temples of the south are always mesmerizing.I used to read them only in history books,but will visit soon.Intriguing narration and catchy pics.

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  20. lovely captures!!! been to this temple many times, but years back!! its a beautiful temple and would love to go again, camera in hand now!

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  21. Hello Ram,

    Very informative post with beautiful photos of lovely stone carvings.

    Wish you and your family a wonderful new year.
    Joseph

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  22. The temple is beautiful and I also love the scenery on the way up and down. That's a fantastic rock face.

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  23. very beautiful clicks, u r so lucky to visit so many lovely places :)

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  24. sensational post!! Thank you for sharing this with us :))

    On a slightly random thought, I've noticed that all the Indian nymph statues have the most heavenly figures and would be considered so by today's standards as well. I actually wrote a paper on it some time ago for an art history class... would love to hear your thoughts :)

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  25. I have been to this temple twice and liked it very much. The landscapes and the sculptures are very beautiful. You have taken lovely shots.

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  26. Fascinating sculptures and views, I also enjoyed seeing the red and black rock surface. Looks like an interesting place to visit!

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  27. interesting legends and beautiful pics!!

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  28. nice temple enriched with sculptures.

    beautiful landscape view from hill

    thanks for visiting my blog

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  29. Great and amazing photos!
    Thanks for sharing.

    Thanks for your comment on my blog. Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year!

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  30. Lovely pictures of the temple complex. Very informative post.

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  31. brilliant photography ... you have inspired me enough to make a visit here this vacation ... thanks for sharing.

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  32. The sculptures and architecture are impressive, and the road has lovely scenery, too. Great photos!

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  33. These Temples on top of a hill is always so beautiful... Specially the view from the top...

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  34. Beautiful images especially of the sculptures and the temple...Thomas

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  35. BEAUTIFUL AND INFORMATIVE POST AND THESE PICS ADD EXTRA COLOUR TO THIS POST....
    THANKS FOR SHARING.

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  36. Mahalo, Ram. I am on the road to recovery. The affected side of my face has shown some improvement, and I can even smile a little, now.

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  37. wow..amazing sculptures...great cliks & presentation..
    thanks for sharing
    Tasty Appetite

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  38. incredibly ornate columns and sculptures! but i love the colors in the rocks/hills too!

    thank you for your kind visits to my blog! i do appreciate them!

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  39. HAPPY PONGAL TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

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  40. Hello Ram
    Fascinating write-up.
    The architectural details are amazing.
    Lovely photos.
    Thanks for sharing, my friend.
    I appreciate the kind sentiments over at my blog too.

    Sorrow Has Entered My Heart

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  41. You could get fabulous captures there. Great images.

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  42. Loved spending my morning looking at your posts! Found you on 'Fix Your Face' (:

    Xo,
    -Imani Love

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  43. Beautiful pictures and crisp write up.Gives a feel of having visited the shrine.Thanks

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  44. Exquisite sculptures indeed. I liked Oordhwa Thandavar. Happy Pongal to you and your famnily.

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