Post by radha on Oct 21, 2014 11:38:36 GMT 5.5
DEAR FRIENDS,
I WISH TO SEND TO ALL MY FRIENDS IN THIS FORUM MY DEEPAVALI GREETINGS THROUGH THIS FORUM.
I WISH ALL OF YOU A VERY HAPPY,BRIGHT & PROSPEROUS DEEPAVALI.
MAY THE ALMIGHTY & MAHA PERIVA BLESS US ALL AND WE ALWAYS PRAY TO THEM FOR THE WELFARE OF HUMANITY AND ALL OTHER LIVING BEINGS!
A BRIEF ACCOUNT ON THIRUCHENGODE TEMPLE IS GIVEN BELOW
The Lord atop Serpent Hill
Situated at the top of a hill, near Erode, the Thiruchengode temple of Lord Ardhanareeswara is an epitome of sublime beauty.
The Kailasanatha temple in Thiruchengode ... an unmatched repository of carvings.
THIRUCHENGODE GLORIFIED in ancient Tamil Literature as Kodimada Chenkundrur commands a pivotal place among the seven celebrated shrines of Kongunadu.
Situated at a distance of 18 km from Erode, Thiruchengode temple dedicated to Sri Ardhanareeswara finds its location in the newly formed district of Namakkal.
Perched at the top of a hill at a height of 1900 ft., the Thiruchengode shrine presents a sublime picture.
The name Kodimada Chenkundrur stands for the hill overgrown with swaying creepers and dotted with soaring mansions and towers.
Right at the centre of the town of Thiruchengode is located the Kailasanathar Temple, an unmatched repository of elegant carvings in stone renovated by the Nayak kings from time to time.
The exquisite processional deity of Ardhanareeswara ... a drawing by the author.
The deity at the foothill temple is adored as `Nilathambiran' (Lord of the Earth), while the one at the top of the hill is worshipped as `Malai Thambiran' (Master of the Mountain).
Though the shrine is dedicated to Lord Siva, Lord Muruga also finds a separate shrine for Himself.
The holy hill having the semblance of a giant serpent is called Nagachala (Serpent Hill). Sundaramurthy Nayanar in his "Anubhuthi Thodar" celebrates Lord Muruga enshrined here as `Nagachala Velava'.
Cauvery river can be sighted clearly from the hilltop. A flight of 1,200 steps leads to the hill shrine. On both the sides of the steps are carved the images of snakes, both big and small. While climbing up the steps leading to the hill shrine, one may have to encounter nuisance caused by monkeys.
There are resting mandapams on the way where you can rest for a while, refresh yourself and resume the journey. As you climb up you find figures of five-hooded serpents on either side of the pathway.
Legend relates that there arose a deadly combat between Adisesha, the serpent couch of Lord Vishnu, and Vayu, the Wind God. The former was defeated and overthrown on a hill near Thiruchengode with bleeding wounds. Another hillock lying close to it is the one, which Lord Siva gifted to Kamadhenu (the celestial cow), for its shelter.
The presiding deity, Ardhanareeshwara, enshrined here stands for a profound philosophic truth that the female and the male are complementary to each other and it is their combination, the blending of grace and force that contributes to the creation of life.
At the portals of the hill shrine, we find the carvings of snakes, three in number, of which two are of Nagakannis (serpent-maids).
The Rajagopuram adorned with beautiful figures has five tiers crested with five kalasams (pots made of gold).
With surrounding hills forming an arresting backdrop ... the temple town of Thiruchengode.
As we go down 20 steps from the front mandapam, we reach the sub-shrine of Sengottu Velavar. The divine poet Arunagirinathar has celebrated the deity in his celestial hymns.
The image of Sengottu Velavar is 3-1/2 feet in height. He sports a vel(spear) on his right hand and on the left a cock. This processional deity is an enchanting one. The deity mounted on the peacock adorned with gold is taken in procession every Krithigai to the accompaniment of merry notes played on the nadaswaram and the waving of kavadi.
The Vellala Gounder mandapam in front of the sub-shrine of Sengottu Velavar has two massive statues of Dwarapalaka (the sentinels of the Lord). The statues bear eloquent testimony to the meticulous skill of the sculptors who fashioned them. One can pass a needle through the garlands and the chest, the hip and the loins — such is the incredible gift of the artist.
An array of images — Agora Veerabhadra, Urdhva-thandavamurthi, Nandi playing on the mridangam, Rathi (the goddess of love) and Manmatha (the god of love) — arrests our attention. Among the statues, some are of the builders and renovators of the shrine, it is reported. Also we find carvings of lotus flowers and eight chains in stone as Kanakasabai of Perur. The images of Kuravan and Kurathi (gypsy couple) bring to our memory those at Avinashi temple.
After worshipping Lord Velava, we hasten to the main shrine of Ardhanareeswara. Legendary version of given for the manifestation of the form of Ardhanareeswara — male and female in one form complementing each other.
Sage Bringi was a violent votary of Lord Siva to the exclusion of any deity in the Hindu pantheon including Parvathi! Siva wanted to enlighten the sage and hence assumed this unique form sharing his body with Parvathi. The sage soon realised his folly and understood that life becomes dynamic only by the blending of both grace and force which are not contradictory but complementary to each other.
It is said that the presiding deity Ardhanareeswara is made of `Navapashana' just like the idol of Lord Muruga at Palani, fashioned by the Siddhas. Some relate that it emerged from a `Swayambhu'.
Ardhanareeswara, otherwise known as Madhoru Bhagan, is an idol of unmatched beauty. On the left is the female form and on the right the male! Manickvachagar glorifies the unique form in his celestial songs. Gnanasambandar too pays tribute to this divine form.
In the mahamandapam is placed the processional deity of Sri Ardhanareeswara with the left side of the idol having knotted locks of hair and the right side has matted tresses — representing respectively the female and the male! At the foot of the pedestal stands Sage Bringi paying his adoration.
The picturesque beauty of Nagachala with steps leading to the temple above.
The most interesting phenomenon about the prime deity of Ardhanareeswara is that water springs up perennially and is offered to the devotees as prasadam.
The shrine of Adhikesava Perumal (Lord Vishnu) adjacent to the main shrine of Ardhanareeswara shows the mutual understanding, sympathy and adoration between Saivites and Vaishnavites. In fact the festivals in both the temples are celebrated together.
Thiruchengode is celebrated by saints, sages and savants. Of them, the Thiruchengottu Puranam of Kaviraja Pandithar and the verses of Dhandapani Swamigal as well as the Thirupugazh of Arunagirinathar draw our attention.
Also certain miracles are attributed to this holy place. Kumbakonam Sivaprakasar made the stone Nandi (bull) eat the groundnut offered by him. A mute child obtained the power to speak by praying to the presiding deity.
God assumed the form of a cowherd and put down the pride of the learned man Pulavaretru who came to Thiruchengode, flaunting his knowledge and scholarship and challenging the local scholars!
Two thieves, who came to the region from the north, realised their sins and turned a new leaf and those slain by them were resurrected by the grace of the Lord.
There are numerous inscriptions relating to the periods of the Pandiyas, Nayaks and Mysore kings. The inscriptions state that there were different committees to look arrange for festivals connected with the temple.
At the hilltop is located the shrine of Pandiswara. At the foot are rock-beds attributed to the Pandavas. But in reality they must have been the humble abodes of Jain monks. Right from the days of Ilango Adigal, this place was worshipped along with Swamimalai, it is learnt.
SRI KANCH MAHA PERIVA CHARANAM
I WISH TO SEND TO ALL MY FRIENDS IN THIS FORUM MY DEEPAVALI GREETINGS THROUGH THIS FORUM.
I WISH ALL OF YOU A VERY HAPPY,BRIGHT & PROSPEROUS DEEPAVALI.
MAY THE ALMIGHTY & MAHA PERIVA BLESS US ALL AND WE ALWAYS PRAY TO THEM FOR THE WELFARE OF HUMANITY AND ALL OTHER LIVING BEINGS!
A BRIEF ACCOUNT ON THIRUCHENGODE TEMPLE IS GIVEN BELOW
The Lord atop Serpent Hill
Situated at the top of a hill, near Erode, the Thiruchengode temple of Lord Ardhanareeswara is an epitome of sublime beauty.
The Kailasanatha temple in Thiruchengode ... an unmatched repository of carvings.
THIRUCHENGODE GLORIFIED in ancient Tamil Literature as Kodimada Chenkundrur commands a pivotal place among the seven celebrated shrines of Kongunadu.
Situated at a distance of 18 km from Erode, Thiruchengode temple dedicated to Sri Ardhanareeswara finds its location in the newly formed district of Namakkal.
Perched at the top of a hill at a height of 1900 ft., the Thiruchengode shrine presents a sublime picture.
The name Kodimada Chenkundrur stands for the hill overgrown with swaying creepers and dotted with soaring mansions and towers.
Right at the centre of the town of Thiruchengode is located the Kailasanathar Temple, an unmatched repository of elegant carvings in stone renovated by the Nayak kings from time to time.
The exquisite processional deity of Ardhanareeswara ... a drawing by the author.
The deity at the foothill temple is adored as `Nilathambiran' (Lord of the Earth), while the one at the top of the hill is worshipped as `Malai Thambiran' (Master of the Mountain).
Though the shrine is dedicated to Lord Siva, Lord Muruga also finds a separate shrine for Himself.
The holy hill having the semblance of a giant serpent is called Nagachala (Serpent Hill). Sundaramurthy Nayanar in his "Anubhuthi Thodar" celebrates Lord Muruga enshrined here as `Nagachala Velava'.
Cauvery river can be sighted clearly from the hilltop. A flight of 1,200 steps leads to the hill shrine. On both the sides of the steps are carved the images of snakes, both big and small. While climbing up the steps leading to the hill shrine, one may have to encounter nuisance caused by monkeys.
There are resting mandapams on the way where you can rest for a while, refresh yourself and resume the journey. As you climb up you find figures of five-hooded serpents on either side of the pathway.
Legend relates that there arose a deadly combat between Adisesha, the serpent couch of Lord Vishnu, and Vayu, the Wind God. The former was defeated and overthrown on a hill near Thiruchengode with bleeding wounds. Another hillock lying close to it is the one, which Lord Siva gifted to Kamadhenu (the celestial cow), for its shelter.
The presiding deity, Ardhanareeshwara, enshrined here stands for a profound philosophic truth that the female and the male are complementary to each other and it is their combination, the blending of grace and force that contributes to the creation of life.
At the portals of the hill shrine, we find the carvings of snakes, three in number, of which two are of Nagakannis (serpent-maids).
The Rajagopuram adorned with beautiful figures has five tiers crested with five kalasams (pots made of gold).
With surrounding hills forming an arresting backdrop ... the temple town of Thiruchengode.
As we go down 20 steps from the front mandapam, we reach the sub-shrine of Sengottu Velavar. The divine poet Arunagirinathar has celebrated the deity in his celestial hymns.
The image of Sengottu Velavar is 3-1/2 feet in height. He sports a vel(spear) on his right hand and on the left a cock. This processional deity is an enchanting one. The deity mounted on the peacock adorned with gold is taken in procession every Krithigai to the accompaniment of merry notes played on the nadaswaram and the waving of kavadi.
The Vellala Gounder mandapam in front of the sub-shrine of Sengottu Velavar has two massive statues of Dwarapalaka (the sentinels of the Lord). The statues bear eloquent testimony to the meticulous skill of the sculptors who fashioned them. One can pass a needle through the garlands and the chest, the hip and the loins — such is the incredible gift of the artist.
An array of images — Agora Veerabhadra, Urdhva-thandavamurthi, Nandi playing on the mridangam, Rathi (the goddess of love) and Manmatha (the god of love) — arrests our attention. Among the statues, some are of the builders and renovators of the shrine, it is reported. Also we find carvings of lotus flowers and eight chains in stone as Kanakasabai of Perur. The images of Kuravan and Kurathi (gypsy couple) bring to our memory those at Avinashi temple.
After worshipping Lord Velava, we hasten to the main shrine of Ardhanareeswara. Legendary version of given for the manifestation of the form of Ardhanareeswara — male and female in one form complementing each other.
Sage Bringi was a violent votary of Lord Siva to the exclusion of any deity in the Hindu pantheon including Parvathi! Siva wanted to enlighten the sage and hence assumed this unique form sharing his body with Parvathi. The sage soon realised his folly and understood that life becomes dynamic only by the blending of both grace and force which are not contradictory but complementary to each other.
It is said that the presiding deity Ardhanareeswara is made of `Navapashana' just like the idol of Lord Muruga at Palani, fashioned by the Siddhas. Some relate that it emerged from a `Swayambhu'.
Ardhanareeswara, otherwise known as Madhoru Bhagan, is an idol of unmatched beauty. On the left is the female form and on the right the male! Manickvachagar glorifies the unique form in his celestial songs. Gnanasambandar too pays tribute to this divine form.
In the mahamandapam is placed the processional deity of Sri Ardhanareeswara with the left side of the idol having knotted locks of hair and the right side has matted tresses — representing respectively the female and the male! At the foot of the pedestal stands Sage Bringi paying his adoration.
The picturesque beauty of Nagachala with steps leading to the temple above.
The most interesting phenomenon about the prime deity of Ardhanareeswara is that water springs up perennially and is offered to the devotees as prasadam.
The shrine of Adhikesava Perumal (Lord Vishnu) adjacent to the main shrine of Ardhanareeswara shows the mutual understanding, sympathy and adoration between Saivites and Vaishnavites. In fact the festivals in both the temples are celebrated together.
Thiruchengode is celebrated by saints, sages and savants. Of them, the Thiruchengottu Puranam of Kaviraja Pandithar and the verses of Dhandapani Swamigal as well as the Thirupugazh of Arunagirinathar draw our attention.
Also certain miracles are attributed to this holy place. Kumbakonam Sivaprakasar made the stone Nandi (bull) eat the groundnut offered by him. A mute child obtained the power to speak by praying to the presiding deity.
God assumed the form of a cowherd and put down the pride of the learned man Pulavaretru who came to Thiruchengode, flaunting his knowledge and scholarship and challenging the local scholars!
Two thieves, who came to the region from the north, realised their sins and turned a new leaf and those slain by them were resurrected by the grace of the Lord.
There are numerous inscriptions relating to the periods of the Pandiyas, Nayaks and Mysore kings. The inscriptions state that there were different committees to look arrange for festivals connected with the temple.
At the hilltop is located the shrine of Pandiswara. At the foot are rock-beds attributed to the Pandavas. But in reality they must have been the humble abodes of Jain monks. Right from the days of Ilango Adigal, this place was worshipped along with Swamimalai, it is learnt.
SRI KANCH MAHA PERIVA CHARANAM