The
visit to this Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple at Gudimallur was a part of Shiva,
Vishnu Temples and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur and
Kaveripakkam. I extend my Sincere tanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places.
This
place was called as Kudamallikavanam ( Kodamalli ) during puranic period. The
word “Gudi” means a variety of jasmine flower, hence this place obtained the name
as Gudimallur. This
temple is one of the Shadaranya Kshetrams around Arcot, where all the Sapta
Rishis worshiped Lord Shiva of the temple. The Temples are Sri Valmikiswarar
Temple at Mel Visaram ( Vishavrukshavanam - Ettimaram ), Sri Kashyabeswarar
Temple at Avarajkarai / Navlock, Sri Vasishteswarar Temple at Veppur ( Nimbavanam
– Neem Trees ), Sri Gauthameswarar Temple at Kaarai ( Kaarai Vanam – Kaarai trees ), Sri Barathwajeswarar
Temple at Pudupadi ( Soothavanam – Mango Trees ), Sri Agastheeswarar Temple Vannivedu (
Sameevanam – Vanni Trees ) and Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple at Gudimallur (
Gudamallikavanam – Koda malli ).
Moolavar : Sri Thiruvantheeswarar, Athirishwarar Consort : Sri Tripura Sundari
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….The
temple is facing east with an entrance arch / Mottai gopuram on the south side. Stucco images of Lord
Shiva with Parvati, Vinayagar, Murugan, Athiri Maharishi and Thirugnanasambandar
are on the top of the mottai gopuram. Moolavar is in a raised level sanctum
sanctorum. Balipeedam Kodimaram and Rishabam are on the east side. In Koshtam
Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. A door is on the
east side wall in front of Rishabam. In praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena
Subramaniar, Athiri Maharishi Navagrahas, Bairavar, Suriyan and Chandikeswarar
are in the inner praharam. Vinayagar, Vahana mandapam are in the outer
praharam.
ARCHITECTUREPaintings
of Dwarapalakas, Kannappar purana, Tripura samhara ( as bas relief ),
Vinayagar are on the left side entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Paintings of
Dwarapalaka, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Kala samhara moorthy and Nataraja ( in the form of bas relief ) are on the right side entrance of the sanctum
sanctorum.
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum
sanctorum is on a raised level of about 3 feet on a padabandha adhisthana with
Jagathy, threepatta kumuda and pattigai. The Bhitti starts with vedhika. The
pilasters are brahma kantha pilasters with malaithongal, kalasam, kudam, thadi,
mandai, palagai and pothyal.
The
Vimana above the prastaram is of green stone up to greevam and above greevam
built with stucco. The greeva koshtas has the images of Dakshinamurthy,
Mahavishnu and Brahma. The west side Salai nasi kudu has the bas relief of Athiri
Maharishi worshiping Lord Shiva.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONSThe
original temple may belongs to 12th to 13th century and
the same was reconstructed during Vijayanagara period ( 14th to 15th
century ). Vijayanagara relief of baboon is found on the ceiling stone in the
front mandapam. The painting may belongs to their period ie they are more than
300 to 400 years old.
The
temple was consecrated / Jeenodharana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 30th
August 1979 and 23rd January
1998.
LEGENDSAs
per the legend, Athiri / Atri maharishi is the last and one of the Saptha
Rishis. His wife Anusuya is considered as one of the seven Pathivradhas. He and
his wife Anusuya did a penance on Lord Shiva, Maha Vishnu and Brahma. Satisfied
with their devotion, All the appeared and asked what the boon they want. Atri
Maharishi and his wife Anusuya asked the boon, that all the three to born as
their Children for them. Brahma as Chandra, Maha Vishnu as Dattatreya and Lord
Shiva as Durvasa, were born. Since Atri worshiped Lord Shiva, this temple is also
called as Atri Temple and Lord Shiva is called as Athirishwarar.
It
is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva and Atri Maharishi will solve all the
problems / obstacles.
A Bas relief of Athiri Maharishi, worships Lord Shiva on the Vimanam
Athiri Maharishi on the Vimana & Maha mandapam
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONSApart
from orukala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri,
Pradosham, Vinayagar Chathurthi, etc. TEMPLE TIMINGSThe
temple will be kept opened only for pooja timings. Hence Devotees are advised
to confirm with the Gurukkal before reaching the temple.
CONTACT
DETAILSGurukkal
mobile number +91 93455075589 may be contacted further details.
HOW TO REACHTo
reach Gudimallur, from Chennai 2 KM after the Kaveripakkam Toll gate turn left
towards Palar Anaicut Walaja Entrance. 3 KM from Madras – Bombay trunk Road /
Chennai to Arcot.The
temple is about 9.3 KM from Walajahpet, 12.3 KM from Kaveripakkam, 10 KM from
Arcot, 12 KM from Ranipet, 31 KM from Vellore and 105 KM from Chennai.Nearest
Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
On the Mandapam ceiling
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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