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Erode; the turmeric city of the southern state of Tamil Nadu is located on the banks of Cauvery River. Owing to its rich historic background, Erode is dotted with several historic temples that receive hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world, throughout the year. Not just religious sites, Erode is the home of a lot of celebrated places of interest which include Brahma Vishnu Shiva Temple, Thindal Murugan Temple, Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Natadreeswarar Temple, Sankagiri Fort, Government Museum and so on. When talking about the must-visit places of interest in Erode, Sri Sangameshwarar Temple is an unmissable name as a trip to the textile city of Erode will be incomplete without visiting this historic temple. Let&#39;s get to know all about the notable Sri Sangameshwarar Temple in Erode.

Unique Feature of Sri Sangameshwarar Temple in Erode

<img alt="Main Tower of Sri Sanghameshwarar Temple in Bhavani, Erode" src="https://im.hunt.in/cg/Erode/City-Guide/Main-Tower-Sangameswarar-Temple-Erode.jpg" /> 
Main Tower of Sri Sanghameshwarar Temple in Bhavani, Erode

The third month on the Tamil Hindu calendar, Aadi (mid-July to mid-August) is always special to the Tamil speaking population living all over the world. Typically, Aadi month holds a special place for people who are involved in agribusiness as it is the time when farmers start seeding their new crops. Besides, Aadi is the time when fresh water reaches the Cauvery river and auspicious occasions and ceremonies (aadiperukku or pathinettamperu or simply aadi 18) are observed and celebrated across the state with fervor and gaiety. Just like the iconic Triveni Sangam at Allahabad, which is famous all over the world, Erode has its own version of Triveni Sangam as the illustrious Sri Sangameshwarar Temple was constructed at the confluence of Cauvery river, Bhavani river and Agaya gangai, which is an invisible underground water source.

Distant View of Sangameshwarar Temple

This confluence is widely revered as Bhavani Kooduthurai and devotees throng the place during Amavasya that come in the Tamil month of Aadi to pay homage to deceased ancestors. Even for pathinettam perukku, people gather at this confluence at large numbers for a holy dip, prayers and float a few things as offerings to the sacred waters. The Erode Sangameshwarar Temple is remarkable in many ways that the entire site is regarded as a lingam and the sacred nandi (the gatekeeper of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi and the vahana of Lord Shiva) is found outside the temple complex under a seprate mandapam, obviously facing the temple. This is very unique as the sacred bull is usually found outside the sanctum sanctorum across the Lord Shiva temples.

Significance of Erode Sri Sangameshwarar Temple

<img alt="Holy Dip at the Cauvery-Bhavani Sangamam" src="https://im.hunt.in/cg/Erode/City-Guide/Devotees-Bathing-at-Kaveri-Bhavani-Sangamam.jpg" /> 
Holy Dip at the Cauvery-Bhavani Sangamam

Gnanasambandar, the 7th century Saiva saint and Tamil poet refers this holy site as &lsquo;Thirunana,&rsquo; which implies that those who visit the Erode Sri Sangameshwarar Temple will be blessed with a happy life. The far-famed site was also mentioned in Purananooru, Agananooru and Pathitrupathu. Furthermore, Tamil poet-saints Arunagirinathar and Gnanasambanda glorified this temple in their sacred verses. The Erode Sangameshwarar Temple ranks 3rd among the 7 specially named temples of Kongu Nadu - region consisting of the western part of the Tamil Nadu. The beautiful five-tierd rajagopuram (main temple tower) of the temple, which faces north, amazes the visitors, even from a long a distance!

Vedanayaki Amman Shrine

The idol of Kottai Anjaneyar (Lord Hanuman) and Kottai Vinayagar (Lord Ganesha) is found on the either side of the primary temple tower. Toward the rear, the idols of Muthukumaraswamy and Raja Vinayagar is found. As entering the temple complex, one can see the sthala puranam (history of the temple) written in Tamil, which help the devotees to understand the significance of visiting this temple. The temple is administrated and maintained by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious &amp; Charitable Endowments department (TNHRCE). A massive hall for public events, resting places, a lovely riverside garden, bathing area, boat ride is some of the facilities and amenities available in and around the temple.

Sri Sangameshwarar Temple Elephant

The Amirthalingeswarar sannadhi in this temple is notable that childless couples visit this shrine and offer prayers and perform abhishekam to the deity. The principal stem of the lingam that is found here is coupled with its base called the Avudai to make up the Amirthalingeswarar. The deity is often removed and given in the hands of the childless couples who visit the temple. They are asked to do pradakshinam (circumambulation) around the shrine for three times and rest it back on the avudai. Ilanthai maram (Jujube tree) is the sthala vriksham here. In fact, the fruit from the tree is offered to Lord Shiva as naivedyam and further it is offered to the devotees as prasadham.

Sculptures at the Sangameshwara Temple

Going further brings the Sahasralingam sannadhi. Another unique shrine that the idol here is a one single lingam that comprises of one thousand small lingams. According to the sthala purana, the demon king of Lanka, Ravana revered the Sahasralingam in this temple. Devotees believe that performing abhishekam to the Sahasralingeswara will help them to get rid of rahu ketu dosham. Sri Adikesava Perumal (Lord Vishnu) sannadhi, Goddess Soundaravalli Thaayar sannadhi and the Yoga Narasimhar sannadhi are some of the most important shrines to visit in this temple, apart from the primary deity of Lord Shiva. It is important to mention that this is one of the few temples where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu sannadhis are found next to one another within the same temple complex!