Ardhanareshwara

Another special characteristic of Arunachala is that it is believed to be a place where womens tapas will easily bear fruit. The reason for this conviction is that Arunachala is the place that the Goddess Parvati performed the tapas that resulted in her attaining a place as the left half of the Lord. This manifestation of the Divine with the right half being Shiva and the left, Parvati, bears the name Ardhanareshwara (ardha=half, nare=lady).

An idol for Ardhanareshwara is found in the Arunachaleswara Temple and on Deepam evening is taken along in procession with the other Deity murtis.