Ardhanareeswarar temple, Thiruchengode
Temple timings : 6.00 a.m. – 7.30 p.m.
Phone : +91-4288-255 925, 93642 29181
The ancient (estimated at 2000 years old) and famous Ardhanareeswarar hill temple is the one depicting one of the 64 manifestations of Lord Shiva, representing the unity of Shiva and Parvati. is situated in Tiruchengode. On the same hill is also the famous for Chenkottu Velavar (murugan) Temple.
This temple has been praised by the Nayanmars like Thirugnanasambandhar and Great poets and saints like Arunagirinathar, Ilango adigal, Kaviraja pandithar in their divine renderings. The idols of Birungi Munivar and Arunagirinathar are found inside the temple.
Many renovation works and additions have been done by the kings and chieftains ruled over Tamilnadu in the past. Lord Arthanareeswarar is believed to be giving salvation to all souls, from the hill top temple. Lord Sengottuvelavar and Lord Adhikesava Perumal in separate shrines are presiding deities.
Lord Arthanareeswarar, also known as Madhorubagan and Ammayappan, has a unique form here, which combines half male and half female form. This rare posture of the Lord as prime deity can be found only in this temple which can be reached by climbing up 1206 steps, made of stone.
Shiva shared half of his body with Parvathi with the left side of idol being Parvathi, and right side is Shiva. One such belief is that the idol is made by Siddhars out of Ven pashanam , which is a combination of Herbs in ratios while another is that the idol is suyambu. The Lord Arthanareeswara unusually faces western direction here
It is auspicious to offer a garland of Vellerukku, Vilvam, Lotus, Champa, Mandarai, Padiri, Sengkaluneer, Ponnarali to the Lord apart from usual Sandal, KumKum and Viboodi. The spring under the feet of Lord Arthanareeswara never dries believed to be holy and called Deva theertham which can cure any disease if consumed for one mandalam (48 days continously). The priest serves this holy water to the devotees as Prasadham.
Magudeswarar temple, Kodumudi
Timings : 6.00 a.m. 12.00 noon 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m
Phone : +91- 4204-222 375
Magudeswarar alayam, sixth temple in Kongu praised in theevaram is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is a 3000 year old Vanni Tree
It is unique that Lord Brahmma has three faces in this temple against the usual four attributed to him as the Vanni Tree is considered to be His fourth.. Sages Agasthya and Bharadwaja were blessed with Lord Shiva’s wedding darshan.. Naga worship is popular here as Adisesha is considered the reason for the coming up of the temple.
Sri Anjaneya with the Sanjeevi and a bell on his tail is found here. Lord Vyakrapada Vinayaka with the feet of tiger, face of elephant graces in a pillar. Lord Magudeswarar is also praised as Malai Kolundeeswarar and Mother is hailed as Soundaryanayaki and Vadivudainayaki.
During a competition between Adisesha and Vayu about their might, Meru mount was at a centre which was tightly held by Adisesha while Vayu blew with all velocity to push Adisesha. Meru split into seven pieces, each as a Gem form Shivalinga and the diamond piece fell in Kodumudi. Being a place for Naga worship, Many seek relief from adverse effects of serpent planets here.
Lord Subramanya Temple, Chennimalai
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91-4294 - 250223,292263, 292595
Chennimalai is the most famous temple of Lord Muruga in this place where Arunagirin, rather a miracle took place in the year 1984 on 12 February when bullock cart with two bulls climbed the 1320 steps on their own on this eventful day. Milk and curds are special offerings to Lord Muruga in Chennimalai and it is the belief that curds do not become sour here. Further up we find the unique separate Valli Deyvannai temple where they are in penance for the hands of Lord Muruga, going by the names of Amirthavalli and Sundaravalli.
Saravana Munivar went to Palani offering prayer to the Lord to give him Chennimalai Sthalapuranam. As per Lord’s instructions, he went to Kanchipuram and brought a copy of the copper plate inscription of Sthalapuranam. The depiction in the Sthalapuranam come alive when he reached Chennimalai. He built the temple of Lord Muruga with a separate shrine for Valli and deyvannai and later a temple for Kailasanāthar with a shrine for Lord Muruga and Valli deyvannai in the Chitra Mandapam of this temple. A temple car similar to that Palani was made here.
Thindal Murugan Temple
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone : 0424 - 2430114 , 2431910
Lord Thindal Muruga faces towards Erode and hence believed to be the reason for region’s prosperity. The another names for the lord thindal are Thindalmalai murugan, Velayuthaswamy, Kulanthi velayuthaswamy, Kumara velayuthaswamy and many more.
The temple entrance arch is located on the natinal highway with images of Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Valli Theyvanai, Peacock, Siva, Parvathi, Saraswathi, Lakshmi laid in the arch.
The first temple is Arasamarathu vinayagar it is an one of the special for thindal temple. It was built 40 years ago. The Arasamaram here is considered sacred
The next temple is Siddhi vinayagar. The lengthy steps start from here.
A few steps away from Munmandapam, Idumban temple is located. He is also known as Idumbakkumaran,Idunbasan.
Maga Ganapathi is the first shrine in thindalmalai and he is called Thala Vinayagar
In the Velayuthaswamy shrine, The uchava moorty located here are Vinayagar, Velayuthaswamy, Subramaniyar, Valli Deivanai and near by peacock Vahanam.
Thannasi cave is located northwest side from the Velayuthaswamy temple. During karthigai deepam the first pooja in thannasi cave is one of the special for thannasi cave where Naga statue is located.
Theertha sunai is located northeast side from the thindalmalai. The area of thindalmalai is around 2 hectares and 60 meters high
The temple also houses a Golden Chariot Temple Car, which runs around the temple on the hillock on festival days
Periya Mariamman Temple, Erode
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91-424-2258670
The Simha Vahanam of Shakthi and a thoori are seen near the entrance. There is an image of Parasurama. The Car of the temple is so designed as if pulled by four elephants, has paintings of Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga.
Sangameswarar Temple, Bhavani
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Phone : +91- 422- 239 3677, 9626356726
Sangameswarar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the confluence, “Kooduthurai”, of Kaveri river, Bhavani river and ‘agaya gangai’, an invisible underground water source.
demon obtained boons after severe penance on Lord Shiva began to harass the devas and the sages to gain Indraloka. When they approached Lord Shiva for safety,He killed the demon.
We find that the lines of Brahmma Sutra are written on the head of the Shivalinga and hence it is believed that he will save people from adverse situations and even bring back the dead.
Lord Muruga on his vahan with weapons in his 12 hands facing north, is in the form of Somaskanda annihilating Surapanma. Lord Subramanya appears as the presiding deity going by the structure of the temple. Mother Akhilandeswari is on the left of the presiding deity while Sri Anjaneya faces west.
Chola king Karikala did not have a successor. In his dream he could see the miracles of Lord and felt that Lord will grant hi a chid boon. As advised he built 36 shiva temples this being the 31st.
Adinarayana Swamy Temple, Pariyur
Timings : 7.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91- 4285 - 222 010, 222 080
Sri Anjaneya appears in two forms in the front Mandap, carrying Sanjeevi Hill pressing his right leg on the ground ready to fly and the other with a majestic look. It’s a rare opportunity for the devotee to worship Sri Anjaneya in three forms.
Once, due to failure of monsoon, famine gripped the place and the devotees when they installed a small Perumal idol and prayed for rain, Lord responded People of Later a big temple was built and poojas organised regularly
The chief deity the temple is Adhi Narayana Perumal who is with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. There is a separate shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The statues of Sanjeevi Anjaneyar, Veera Anjaneyar and Alwars are seen in the main temple complex while. Garuda Alwar is seen in front of the main sanctum. The main Vimana of the temple depicts the scenes of Bhagavad Gita, the holy Granth of Hindus.
Amarapaneeswarar Temple, Pariyur
Timings : 7.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91- 4285 - 222 010, 222 080.
It is believed that Sun God and Devas worship the Lord early in morning and hence the temple is opened only after the sun rises. Hence devotees pray the Sun God first as he has pleased the Lord with is prayers. . The emphasize is on sun worship as nullifies all adverse planetary effects and hence worships to Sun is first and the Lord comes next.
Dakshinamurthy is in a sitting form under the banyan tree facing south and Lord Murugan is in an obedient standing form with six hands respecting the Lord in the form of Dakshinamurthy.
Lord Shiva is faces west in the sanctum sanctorum with the Avudayar-stage and the Linga is on the right side. Mother Soundaravalli (Soundaryanayaki) is in a standing form in her shrine. Lord Shanmuga Subramanya as somaskanda is with his consorts and His peacock vahanam with its face turning left. His five forms as Karthikeya, Balasubramania, Dandayuthapani, Kumara Subramania and Bala Muruga are on goshta wall.
Tharaka, Kamalakshan and Vidyunmali are three demons who were committing atrocities against the Devas who were helpless and prayed to Lord Shiva. On his advise, They installed a Linga and prayed to him. Lord annihilated the three demons and saved the Amarars and hence He is called Amara Pani Easwarar – Amara-Devas, Pani-service and Easwara-God.
It is a white marble temple with shrines dedicated to warlord Karthikeya and consorts, Anukkai Vinayaka and Nandhi. There are also shrines dedicated to Navagraha, Bhairava, Nayanmars and other Hindu Gods.
Kondathu Kaliamman Temple, Pariyur
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m
Phone : +91-4285-222 010
Around 1500 years old, the inner sanctum of the temple Pariyur Kondathu Kaliamman Temple is made of black marble Sri Rudra (Lord Shiva) is believed to be on the head of the Goddess and her crown is a mass of flames and appears as Rudra Kali.
A 'Fire Walking Ceremony' (Kundam) is held during January every year. A huge quantity of wood brought by devotees make a fire in the forty feet long pit. Lakhs of devotees walk the pit following the priest from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon a.m. The pit is christened as Kondathu Kaliamman.
Devotees seek permission from Sri Kaliamman for any initiatives. It is believed that she has the reply in her two hands and If the reply comes from the right, devotees carry on the work they planned and stop if it is from the left. It is said that for remedy from diseases, the reply is prayed for from the left.
Muniappaswami appears in a huge form and frees people from Magic spells. The talisman and the threads are placed at His feet and worn as they have power to cure prolonged diseases Those seeking child boon from the Goddess through a flower, perform abishek to Muniappaswami with 12 pots of water on a Tuesday. .
Sri Kaliamman faces north. A siddha, known as Surara who with his powers and the grace, had the darshan of the Mother, has his monument t here.
The temple is located in a picturesque environment and is believed to be ancient with successive renovations carried our during this
Bannari Amman Temple, Bhavani
Timings : 5.30 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Phone : 8903492028, 9442243280
This is one of the famous Amman temples in Tamil Nadu and it is in Bannari near erdoe. In ancient days there were five divisions on the west tamil nadu known as Chera, Chola, Pandya, Thondai and Kongu regions.Kongu Nadu was situated on the western side of Tamil Nadu amdon which the beauty of the fertile Kongu nadu was enhanced by the presence of Mountains, rivers. Bannari amman temple is located on the North West boundary and it is of late thronged by the devotees and the Goddess Mariamman held in high esteem. The temple faces south. During the course of time, temple structure was renovated and the gopuram was built above the Santcum. In 1967 Shobana Mantapa in front of the temple with 24-pillared mantapa with carvings of architectural beauty was constructed while the Artha Mantapa, Maha Mantapa and Shobana Mantapa enhances the beauty of the temple. Shrines of Vinayaka, Bommairayan, Madeswara SARUGU Mariamman and Muniyappa are found while the Bommarayan temple is in Artha mandapam facing west and the Ganesha faces east. Lord Matheshwaran is on the southern side of the Goddess temple. Near the temple pond in a small temple the Sarugu Mariamman is housed. This temple has a big pond and there is a big pit on the west side. God Vandi Muniappar is placed on a slab. During the festival for goddess the Chola descendants perform special poojas.
Gurunathaswamy Temple, Pudupallayam
Timings : 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91 96773- 65525
Dvotees were once worshipping three stones personifying them as the Gods. Later, three idols –the first as Mother Kamakshi Amman their family deity, the second as Lord Vishnu and the third as Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga combined called as Gurunathaswami. Telugu devotees are worship Him as Bala Gurunatha Swami or Ugra Guru Nathar.
In the centre of the Prakara is box with a ventilation hole and no entrance facility measuring 11 feet long, 11 feet wide and 11 feet tall where the puja materials are kept. This will be opened the day prior to the Aadi festival to take out the puja materials. Snakes are believed to be inside for safe keeping. Only those priests who adhere to fasting as per Agama rules can go in and come out and it is believed that others if they try to enter, would die of sanke bites. Tthis Kulukkai is worhsipped with flowers so that no such creatures move in their farms.
When Mother Kamakshi came to perform penance here. Uthanda Munirayan well versed in Mantras and Tantras refused her space to do penance. He was destroyed by Sri Agora Veerabadra, disciple of Sri Gurunathaswami Munirayan prayed to Gurunathaswami for relieving him of the curse following him from past births and aid that the place should be known as Gurunatha Vanam (forest) where Mother Kamakashi performed Her penance. It should be known that Lord Gurunatha Swami blesses one with noble traits even though they were arrogant and cruel earlier.
Uthanda Muni and Agora Veerabadra worshipped a stone here which grew tall as a hill. Hence People pray to Lord to make their lives filled with good traits as tall as the hill.
Centuries ago, people of Pichapuram forest built a temple for Kutti Andavar installing three grinding stones for their worship. The Nawab of Arcot wanted to marry the daughter of the priest of the temple and sent his men for the purpose when the priest said that he would consult his near an dear and reply the next day. when the relatives did not agree, the Nawab threatened to jail them. One relative possessed with divine power, advised them to leave the place taking the three grinding stones being worshipped in a basket. When Nawab’s men returned the next day, they found the place empty.
The tired and frustrated people after travelling a distance, threw the stones in a river and look our for their survival. Next morning the stones were back in their basket and with joy they set forward and reached Pudupalayam near Andhiyur. The Pandya king permitted them to install stones and begin worship and also built a temple which is now one of the oldest, goes the history.
The Simha Vahanam of Shakthi and a thoori are seen near the entrance. There is an image of Parasurama. The Car of the temple is so designed as if pulled by four elephants, has paintings of Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga.
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