Ardha Nareeswara Temple is located near Kothaguda in Hyderabad, Telangana.
The presiding deity is Ardha Nareeswara, a unique and powerful form that combines Lord Shiva (male aspect) and Goddess Parvati (female aspect) into one single idol.
Ardha Nareeswara form symbolizes the perfect balance of masculine and feminine energies in the universe. The idol in this temple is crafted from black stone and beautifully depicts the two halves—one side with matted hair, crescent moon, and trident of Shiva, and the other with feminine features, adorned in jewelry and saree representing Parvati.
The temple is built in a simple yet traditional South Indian style with a clean and peaceful layout. The main sanctum houses the black stone idol of Ardha Nareeswara, which was specially carved in Mahabalipuram and is known for its exquisite stone sculptures. The temple walls and inner sanctum are adorned with carvings and depictions of various other deities. There is a Gopuram (tower) above the sanctum, and the premises are well-maintained, offering a calm and spiritual atmosphere.
According to legend, Goddess Parvati once asked Shiva why he always stayed alone in meditation and didn’t share his life with her. She wanted to be one with him, not just in body, but also in spirit. To answer her and to show that masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Parvati) energies are not separate but two parts of the same whole, Shiva merged with Parvati and became Ardhanarishwara. In this form, one half is Shiva and the other half is Parvati. This divine form teaches that the universe exists through the union of Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (energy). The temple in Kothaguda honors this divine philosophy and reminds devotees of the balance and unity in creation.
Sage Bhringi was a devoted worshipper of Lord Shiva but ignored Goddess Parvati, refusing to accept her importance. To teach him that Shiva and Parvati are one, Shiva took the form of Ardhanarishwara—half male, half female.
Bhringi tried to worship only Shiva’s side by turning into a bee and flying around just the male half. Seeing this, Parvati cursed him to lose all strength because he rejected the feminine energy that gives life and power.
Soon, Bhringi became weak and helpless. Parvati understood his mistake and blessed him with a third leg to support himself.
The Ardha Nareeswara Temple celebrates major festivals like *Maha Shivaratri, with special prayers and night-long worship, **Navaratri, honoring the goddess with daily rituals, and **Karthika Masam*, when the temple is beautifully lit with lamps. These festivals bring devotees together to celebrate the divine unity of Shiva and Parvati.
