Temple of Ardhanareeswarar
This shrine is among the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams that are extolled in the Saivite saints' Thevaram hymns. Arunagirinathar and Thirugnansambandar have written songs honoring the shrine. Known as Neduvelkundru, the location is referenced in the ancient text Silapathikaram.A well-known composition in the ragam Kumudakriya by Muttuswami Dīkshitar, Arthanāreeshwaram, also features the temple.Significant repairs were carried out by British colonial commander Davis, whose likeness is located in the Mukkoottu Vinayagar temple, as well as throughout the reigns of the Chola, Pandya, and Nayak monarchs.The Tamil Nadu government's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department is in charge of maintaining and running the temple.
The holy hill is roughly 650 feet high, and pilgrims must ascend 1156 steps to reach the temple at its highest point. Thevaram hymns refer to the hill as Nagagiri, but it is also known by a variety of other names, including Chemmalai, Panimalai,Nandimalai, and Uragaverpu. The hill is roughly 350 acres in size and is located 2000 feet above sea level.The five-tiered main gopuram tower atop the hill is located on its northern side. The temple's compound wall spans 260 feet from east to west and 170 feet from north to south.
Thirumalai Gopuram, standing at 84.5 feet tall and facing north, was constructed in 1512 by Krishna Devarayar, while the basement, or kalkarar, was constructed during the reign of Sadasiva Maharayar. This hill temple's 84.5-foot-tall Majestic Rajagopuram, which faces north, has five tiers with exquisitely engraved images.
Among the temples constructed along the banks of the Kaveri River is this one. The most significant event is the Sengottuvelavar temple's yearly chariot festival, which takes place over 15 days in the month of Vaikasi. The four distinct chariots that are utilized to transport the processional deities through the streets are what makes the event unique. Lord Ganesha is carried by the first chariot, Sengottuvelavar Murugan by the second, Arthanāreeshwara by the third, and Vishnu Adikeshava Perumal by the fourth. Significant historical significance also attaches to these chariots: the biggest, Arthanāreeshwara, was gifted to the temple by Nagamalai Gounder in 1699; Chennaraja Chikendar contributed Sengothuvevar's chariot in 1628; and Kondabhupathi created the other two were created in 1628 by Kongunadu's monarch, Kondabhupathi.
Girivalam, the custom of walking around the holy hill, is carried out by considerable throngs of people on full moon days. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to complete the 7 km path that circles the peak.
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