Rishabeswarar
Temple, Chengam, Thiruvannamalai
Rishabeswarar Temple is a
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Chengam Town in Thiruvannamalai
District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Rishabeswarar
and Mother is called as Anubambigai. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu
Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. Chengam was also
known as Kannai and Chenganma in ancient times. The Temple is situated on the
banks of Cheyyar.
History
It
is believed that the place was ruled by Nannan, Sangam era Velir King. The
place had been mentioned as Chenganma in Sangam Literature Malaipadukadaam. It
is believed that current name is derived from this Name. It has been indicated
as Navirai Chenganma in the inscriptions as the town is located near Navirai
Mountain.
The
Temple
The
Temple covers an area of about 3 acres. The Temple has single prakaram and is
facing east. Presiding Deity is called as Rishabeswarar. He is also called as
Thenkannai Aatkonda Nayagan as per one of the inscriptions in the Temple. He is
housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is Swayambhu Moorthy and is
facing east. Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhava and Durga are the Koshta idols located
around the sanctum walls.
Dwajastambam,
Balipeedam and Nandi can be found facing the sanctum. There is a unique
occurrence happening in this Temple every year. Every Year during 3rd
day of Panguni Tamil Month from 5.40 PM to 6.00 PM, Sun rays will fall on Nandi
and making the Nandi to glitter like gold. Mother is called as Anubambigai. She
is housed in a separate shrine facing east.
There
is a Murugan Shrine between Sanctum and Mother Shrine forming Somaskanda. There
are shrines for Vinayaga, Mahalakshmi, Veerabhadra and Navagrahas in the Temple
courtyard. Two Kala Poojas are conducted in this Temple. There are inscriptions
dating to Pallava Emperors Mahendra Varman, and Narasimha Varma were found in
the Temple premises.
Temple
Opening Time
The
Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 09.30 AM and 06.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Festivals
Panguni
Uthiram, Thirukalyanam and Chithira Brahmotsavam are the famous festivals
celebrated here.
The
Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar
had a mention about this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6th Thirumurai
in 70th Patikam in 6th Song.
மண்ணிப் படிக்கரை வாழ்கொளிபுத்தூர்
வக்கரை மந்தாரம் வாரணாசி
வெண்ணி விளத்தொட்டி வேள்விக்குடி
விளமர் விராடபுரம் வேட்களத்தும்
பெண்ணை அருட்டுறை தண் பெண்ணாகடம்
பிரம்பில் பெரும்புலியூர் பெருவேளூரும்
கண்ணை களர் காறை கழிப்பாலையும்
கயிலாய நாதனையே காணலாமே
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
1 Km from Chengam Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Pudupalayam,
22 Kms from Singarapettai, 28 Kms from Thandarampattu,
31 Kms from Uthangarai, 34 Kms from Tiruvannamalai, 49 Kms
from Polur,
98 Kms from Vellore,
135 Kms from Puducherry, 139 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 171
Kms from Bangalore,
200 Kms from Chennai Airport, 207 Kms from Bangalore Airport and 216 Kms from
Chennai. The Temple is situated on the banks of Cheyyar River in Chengam Town. Chengam
lies on the mid-way of NH 66 plying from Bangalore
to Puducherry via
Thiruvannamalai. Chengam is well connected with Vellore,
Polur,
Thiruvannamalai,
Singarapettai, Pudupalayam,
Thandarampattu, Chennai and Uthangarai.
Location