Sri Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu - In Search of History – Kongu Nadu – A Heritage Walk.

 13^th November 2016.

We, six history enthusiasts M/s Srinivasan. Raja, Nandhakumar, Santhosh and Vijay trekked the Tiruchengode hill through steps, in which the 7^th century poet and one of the Nayanmar Thirugnanasambandar trekked the hill to have the darshan of Sri Ardhanareeswarar. Even though the hill temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Chengottu Velavar, Sri Subramanya Swamy is given more importance.

  

The Tiruchengode hill was called as Kodimadachengundram during 7^th century and Nayanmars also mentioned in their hymns. Even though I had been to Sri Ardhanareeswarar temple number of times, this time we had seen the temple and the hill in  a different perspective. From start  of the steps to the Sanctum we had seen Chozha, Kongu Chozha,  Pandya, Vijayanagars, Kettimudali, Udayars, Nayaks and Britishers contributions. Yes Britishers too contributed to this temple.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS:
We have inscriptions  from 10^th century on the hill by the side of the steps. The Kings and individuals who contributed to this temple are  Chozha King 1^st Rajendran ( 1032 CE),  Chozha King Rajakesari Varman ( 10^th century), Chozha King ( Kongu - 13^th Century), Chozha King 3^rd Rajendran ( may be Kongu Chozha )( 13^th century ),  Pandya king 2^nd Sadaiyavarma Sundaran ( 13^th century),  Kongu Chozhan Veera Rajendran ( 13^th century ), Vijayanagar ( 16^th century), Veerapradhaba Krishnaraya Maharayar,  Krishnadeva Maharayar, Sadasiva Maharayar, Nallathambi Kangeyan, Athappa Nallathambi Kangeyan, Athappa Irumudi Nallathambi Kangeyan ( 17^th century ) Kumaraswamy kangeyan, Nayakkar  Viswanatha Chokkalingan, Vijayanagara ( 17^th century )  Nayakar Chokkanathan, Narashima Udayar, Nayakkar Boththu 9 18^th Century ). Of the above Chozha King 3^rd Rajendran has the maximum number of contributions.  ( for the copy of the inscriptions …. Please CLICK HERE ).

The inscriptions mainly speaks about gold, land, coins, mandapas, ponds to store water donated to Lord Shiva for the naivedyam, poojas, Thirumanjanam, Annathanam, Burning of perpetual lamp, celebrating functions and chanting of Vedas & hymns.  Now it is very sad to note these inscriptions are being destroyed by cutting of snake reliefs in the name of pariharam.

 Inscriptions - Near the Nagar Temple 

 Inscriptions - Near the Nagar Temple 

 Inscriptions - Near the Nagar Temple 

 Inscriptions between 325 to 365 steps 

 Inscriptions between 325 to 365 steps - see how do the people destroyed the inscriptions by cutting Nagars  

 Inscriptions between 325 to 365 steps - see how do the people destroyed the inscriptions by cutting Nagars 

 Inscriptions near 60 steps 

 Inscriptions near 60 steps 

There is no separate inscription of the Britishers. Davis W D ( 19^th century ) an acting collector of Salem renovated the Vigneswarar Mandapam and his relief is on one of the pillar and also on the rock near the Sanctum. ( He also constructed a mandapam and a marriage hall for Sri Sukavaneswarar temple in Salem Town ).

 DAVIS, W D ( 19th century )The Salem collector since 1923 to 1926. He constructed the Vigneswarar sannadhi mandapam, whose relief is also on one of the pillar  

LOCATION :CLICK HERE

FOR MORE PHOTOS AND INSCRIPTIONS ON GOOGLE :CLICK HERE 

 Cutting the nose of the defeated kings soldiers – a relief  - Mainly available in Salem dist temples 

 The person killing the tiger and his dog also biting the tiger.

 Jeyshta Devi- or the Thavvai Thai still in worship

  Ayyanar 

 Bell structure was donated by the Britishers and the supporting rail was imported from UK during 1910

 Bell structure was donated by the Britishers and the supporting rail was imported from UK during 1910

Old bell  donated by and individual of course not used now 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---