?arthanareeswarar Temple Tiruchengode! (అర్ధనారీశ్వరుడు దేవాలయం)

The main temple is addressed as ‘Ardhanareeswara’. Standing as tall as 6-feet, half-man and half-woman, he has an imposing presence, and is believed to have been naturally formed Swayambhu untouched by chisel or hammer. His clothes decoration bundled up to a crown, his head bejeweled with the silvery moon, his neck and chest adorned with strands of the sacred rudraksha and a shimmering ‘thali’. He faces westward. Since Ardhanareeswara is Shiva and Shakti as an one form, the deity is draped in dhoti on the right and a saree on the left. The left foot adorns an anklet. If one would take the steps to the top, enroute is enshrined Naagar (the snake god), carved on rock. He is believed to have great power and the shrine attracts devotees from all over the country, who are seeking remedy from Naagadosham.
Once Vishnu, Brahma, Indra and the sage Bhringi Maharushi went to Kailash to worship Lord Shiva. Everyone first pray their respects to Parvati and then proceeded to Shiva. However, Bhringi Maharushi directly marched to Shiva. Parvati, annoyed by his act, sucked the flesh from the sage's body to stop him proceeded. Lord Shiva blessed Bhringi Maharushi with a third leg, to counter Lord Parvati's curse. With her austerities, Lord Parvati appeased Shiva to grant position in his body, thus leading to the half-male, half-female manifestation as Ardhanareeswarar. Another legend states that there was a battle between the serpent Adishesha and the wind-god Vayu for superiority. The sages set a challenge that Adishesha had to cling to Mount Meru and Vayu has to release him by his power. Adishesha succeeded. Vayu, out of anger, stopped the airflow in the world; as a result all living beings fainted. The sages convinced Vayu to release his hold. By the sudden release of air by Vayu lead the top of the mountain with the head of Adisesha, thrown into earth on three places with flesh and blood and making it red and thus the name Chengodu. The sacred hill is about 650 ft. high, and a climb of 1156 steps leads worshippers to the temple at its peak. The hill is called 'Nagagiri' in the Thevaram hymns and is also known by many other names like Chemmalai, Panimalai, Nandimalai, Uragaverpu. The hill contains about 350 acres of land, which lies 2000 ft about sea level. One of the 64 manifestations of Shiva, representing the unity of Shiva and Parvati, is enshrined in this revered hill temple of great significance, accessible by a motorable road.