Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple / Shadaranya Kshethram /Athiri Maharishi Temple / Atri Temple / Sri Adhi Lingeshwarar Temple/ அருள்மிகு திரிபுரசுந்தரி உடனுறை திருவந்தீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில் குடிமல்லூர் / Gudimallur, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple at Gudimallur was part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples, and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur, and Kaveripakkam. I extend my Sincere thanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places. 

The second visit to this Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple, also known as Atri Temple, was part of the “Sadaranya Kshetram Visit” around Arcot on January 11, 2026, organised by Rameswaram Travel Agency

This is one of the Shadaranya Kshetras around Ranipet. During puranic period, this place was known as Gudamallikavanam – Koda Malli. The Shiva of this temple was installed and worshipped by Atri Maharishi.

Sl No	Temple	Manivar	Place	Aranyam
1	Sri Vasishteswara Swamy Temple	Vasishta Maharishi	Veppur	Nimbavanam – Neem Trees
2	Sri Valmikiswarar Temple	Valmiki Maharishi	Melvisharam	Vishavrukshavanam-Ettimaram
3	Sri Gauthameswarar Temple	Gautama Maharishi	Karai	Kaarai  Vanam – Kaarai trees
4	Sri Agastheeswarar Temple	Agasthiya Maharishi	Vannivedu	Sameevanam – Vanni Trees
5	Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple	Atri Maharishi	Gudimallur	Gudamallikavanam – Koda malli
6	Sri Barathwajeswarar Temple	Barathwaja Maharishi	Pudupadi	Soothavanam – Mango Trees
7	Sri Kashyabeswarar Temple	Kashyaba Maharishi	Avarakarai (Navlock)	Karai Flowers

Moolavar  : Sri Thiruvantheeswarar, Athirishwarar

Consort    : Sri Tripura Sundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces 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 the 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.

ARCHITECTURE

Paintings of Dwarapalakas, Kannappar Purana, Tripura Samhara (as bas relief), and Vinayagar are on the left side entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Paintings of Dwarapalaka, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Kalasamhara Moorthy, and Nataraja (in the form of bas relief) are on the right side entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.  

The temple consists of the 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 pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedika. The pilasters are Brahma kantha pilasters with malaithongal, kalasam, kudam, thadi, mandai, palakai, and pothyal.

The vimana above the prastaram is of green stone up to greevam, and above greevam is built with stucco. The greeva koshtas have images of Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, and Brahma. The west side of Salai Nasi Kudu has the bas relief of Athiri Maharishi worshipping Lord Shiva.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may belong to the 12^th to 13^th century, and the same was reconstructed during the Vijayanagara period (14^th to 15^th century). The Vijayanagara relief of the baboon is found on the ceiling stone in the front mandapam. The painting may belong to their period, ie, it is more than 300 to 400 years old.

The temple was consecrated / Jeenodharana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 30^th August 1979, 23^rd January 1998, and 25th June 2023.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Athiri / Atri Maharishi is the last and one of the Saptha Rishis. His wife Anusuya, is considered one of the seven Pathivradhas. He and his wife, Anusuya, did penance on Lord Shiva, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma. Satisfied with their devotion, all appeared and asked what boon they wanted. Atri Maharishi and his wife Anusuya asked for the boon that all three would be born as their Children for them. Brahma as Chandra, Maha Vishnu as Dattatreya, and Lord Shiva as Durvasa were born. Since Atri worshipped Lord Shiva, this temple is also called the Atri Temple, and Lord Shiva is called Athirishwarar.

As per the legend, Ma Kamakshi playfully closed the eyes of Shiva. The universe has come to a standstill. Angered, Shiva cursed Ma Kamakshi to go to the earth. Ma Kamakshi did penance for Shri Shiva. Pleased by the penance, Shiva married at Kanchipuram. To witness the celestial wedding, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, the celestial gods, and all the Rishis and Munis assembled at Kanchipuram. The 6 Maharishis (“ஷட் (Saṭ / षट्)”- Six) (Many claim that Seven Maharishis worshipped, hence 7 temples are grouped on Shadaranya Kshetram), stayed in 6 forest areas on the banks of the River Palar, established Swayambhu Shiva Lingas and worshipped. The Shiva Lingas are called in the name of the Maharishis, who established the Shiva Lingas. Hence, all seven temples are called Shadaranya Kshetras. 

It is believed that worshipping 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 CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham, Vinayagar Chathurthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open only for pooja timings. Hence, Devotees are advised to confirm with the Gurukkal before reaching the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS

Gurukkal mobile number +91 93455075589 (seems to be wrong, will be updated soon), may be contacted for further details.

http://gudimallurthiruvantheshwaratemple.blogspot.com/p/history_74.html

HOW TO REACH

To 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.

The nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Painting on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum

Painting on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum

Painting on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum

Painting on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum

Painting on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum

Painting on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum



New Rajagopuram

Old entrance without Gopuram

On the Mandapam ceiling

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---