Śrī Arthanārīśvarar Temple, Tiruchengode
Half Śiva, half Pārvatī, on a red hill
⭐ Why it is famous
A 1,200-step climb up a red granite hill to a five-foot Ardhanārīśvara image, with the Sengottu Velavar Murugan shrine and a 60-foot rock-cut serpent on the way.
📜 Pilgrimage history
Sung by the Tēvāram saints in the seventh century and expanded by the Cōḻas and Nāyakas; the hill's iron-rich red rock gives the town its name — 'the red hill'.
🕰️ Temple timings
- Darśan 06:00 – 13:00 and 16:00 – 20:30
🙏 Darśan details
- Free darśan; a motorable road reaches near the summit for those who cannot climb
- Special abhiṣeka on Mondays and Pradoṣam days
- Carry water for the climb; it is exposed after 9 am
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Śrī Arthanārīśvarar Temple, Tiruchengode, Tiruchengode, NamakkalTiruchengode (TCD) — 3 km
- Government: Tiruchengode TNSTC bus stand, 2 km from the hill foot
- Private buses: Private buses on the Salem–Erode road
Coimbatore International (CJB) — 120 km
Salem Airport (SXV) — 40 km · UDAN regional flights
40 km from Salem and 35 km from Erode; buses every 20 minutes.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Lodges in Tiruchengode, ₹700–₹1,800
- Hotels in Salem or Erode, ₹1,500–₹4,000
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹1,200 | ₹2,800 | ₹6,000 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Salem Yercaud hills
- Kolli hills
- Erode textile market
📅 Best time to visit
November–February