Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 262nd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Kongu Naadu |
Kongu Naadu | 4th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
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 strain. One such piece is this hill. Since it was believed to be red in
colour due to Adisheshan’s blood strain, it is also called as sencode.
This
is an ancient temple and according to the inscriptions on the walls it must
have been built about 2000 years ago.
This
temple is on top and mainly composed of sand stone 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).
About temple:
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.
Sage Birunki:
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.
Poojas are believed to be performed
by the Ambal herself:
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.
Thiruneelakanda Pathigam:
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.
Lord Muruga lost the prize of the
divine fruit (Gnana pazham):
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.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
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.
·
Lord Mahavishnu
and Adiseshan are believed to have worshiped this Moolavar.
·
Senkottu Velavar
shrine is on the back side of the main sanctum sanctorum.
·
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).
·
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.
·
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 INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Arthanareeswarar / Sri Mathoru Pagar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Bagam Priyal |
|
Theertham |
Devatheertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Iluppai Tree |
BELIEF:
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.
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.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Puratasi |
Sep-Oct |
21 day Pooja
(Kedara Gowri Viradam) |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
Vaikasi
Visaga |
HOW
TO REACH:
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.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Arthanareeswarar
Temple,
Arthanareeswarar Hills,
Thiruchengode,
Namakkal,
Tamil Nadu - 637 211.
LOCATION:
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