Arthanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode

அர்த்தநாரீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்

Shiva (Ardhanareeswarar) temple · Tiruchengode, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India

Photo: kurumban · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

The Arthanareeswarar Temple at Tiruchengode, in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, is a hilltop Shiva temple. Its presiding deity is Ardhanareeswarar, the form of Shiva in which Shiva and Parvati are shown as one figure: half male and half female, divided vertically.

The Namakkal district administration lists it as one of the seven Shiva shrines of the Kongu region and one of the oldest temples in the area. The hill is reached by a long flight of steps or by a motor road.

By the HinduTone Editorial Team · Last reviewed 5 October 2026. Editorial policy & corrections

Faith & Tradition

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Religious Significance of Arthanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode

The temple is a Tevaram site, known in the hymns as Kodimadachenkunrur. The saint Sambandar sang a patikam (hymn) here, and Templenet lists it as the fourth of the seven Tevaram shrines of Kongu Nadu. Templenet also identifies the hill with Neduvelkunru in the Tamil epic Silappatikaram.

Ardhanareeswarar is counted among the 64 forms of Shiva. Dinamalar notes that this form is worshipped especially for harmony between husband and wife, and that the goddess here is called Bhagampriyal. Because the goddess is part of the main image, there is no separate shrine for her.

The shrine of Murugan as Sengottu Velavar on the same hill draws many pilgrims of its own; the poet Arunagirinathar praised this Murugan in his Tiruppugazh. The composer Muthuswami Dikshitar wrote the kriti 'Ardhanareeswaram' in raga Kumudakriya about the deity here.

Heritage

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History of Arthanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode

According to tradition, Parvati performed the Kedara Gowri vratam, as taught by Adi Kesava Perumal (Vishnu) who is also enshrined on the hill, and was united with Shiva as Ardhanareeswarar. Another legend explains the red colour of the hill, which gives Tiruchengode ('red hill') its name, through a contest of strength between the serpent Adishesha and Vayu, the wind god. These are temple traditions, not historical records.

For the historical record, Templenet reports inscriptions at the temple from the times of Parantaka Chola, Gangaikonda Chola, the Vijayanagara and Mysore kings and the Nayaks. The Namakkal district administration notes that Tiruchengode was earlier called Thirukodimadachengondurur and was part of Poondurai Nadu in Kongu Nadu.

Architecture and sacred features

The temple stands on top of the hill. Its walls enclose an area of about 260 ft east to west and 170 ft north to south, with a five-tier rajagopuram on the north side. The sanctum faces west, although it is entered from the south. The main image is about 6 ft tall, and a small spring at its foot is believed never to run dry.

The outer corridor has rows of monolithic granite pillars carved with mounted warriors and yalis. The mandapam in front of the Sengottu Velavar shrine is known for its fine carving. On the way up there is a long serpent carved into the rock of the hill, which is also called Nagagiri, and a shrine to the serpent deity.

Plan Your Visit

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Darshan and Visitor Information

The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department of Tamil Nadu. Worship times and access to the hilltop road can change, so confirm current arrangements with the HR&CE temple office before visiting.

Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 5 October 2026.

Sacred Calendar

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Festivals at Arthanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode

Vaikasi (May-June)

Vaikasi annual festival

This is the temple's main annual festival. Templenet notes that the festival image of Ardhanareeswarar is brought down from the hill for it.

Vaikasi (May-June)

Thirukkalyanam on Vaikasi Visakam

The divine marriage is celebrated with priests standing in for the deities, since the goddess has no separate image here.

Masi (February-March)

Maha Shivaratri

Worship is offered in all four watches of the night, which is considered especially important at this temple.

Location

How to Reach Arthanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode

The Namakkal district administration places Tiruchengode about 35 km from Namakkal. The nearest airport is Salem (about 50 km), and Coimbatore International Airport is about 130 km away. The nearest railheads are Erode Junction (about 25 km by road) and Namakkal Railway Station (about 30 km).

Tiruchengode is well connected by road to Namakkal, Erode and Salem. Pilgrims can climb to the hilltop temple by the stepped path, which has rest mandapams along it, or go up by road.

Location: Tiruchengode, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India

Nearest airport: Salem Airport (about 50 km); Coimbatore International Airport (about 130 km)

Nearest railway station: Erode Junction (about 25 km); Namakkal (about 30 km)

More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (Ardhanareeswarar) temples · Temples in Paramathi-Velur Taluk · Temples in Namakkal District

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Questions

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Arthanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the presiding deity of the Tiruchengode temple?

Ardhanareeswarar: Shiva and Parvati shown as one figure, half male and half female. The goddess is called Bhagampriyal and is part of the main image.

Is the Tiruchengode temple a Paadal Petra Sthalam?

Yes. It is praised in the Tevaram as Kodimadachenkunrur, with a patikam by Sambandar, and is counted among the seven Tevaram shrines of the Kongu region.

Why is the hill red?

According to legend, a contest between the serpent Adishesha and the wind god Vayu coloured the rock red, which is the source of the name Chengode ('red hill'). This is a temple tradition.

How many steps lead to the temple?

Sources disagree on the exact number of steps, so no figure is given here. There are rest mandapams along the path, and a motor road also reaches the top.

Which Murugan shrine is on the hill?

Sengottu Velavar, a Murugan shrine of great local importance that Arunagirinathar praised in his Tiruppugazh.

How do I reach Tiruchengode?

Salem airport is about 50 km away and Erode Junction railway station about 25 km by road, according to the Namakkal district administration. Buses run from Erode, Salem and Namakkal.