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, AthirishwararConsort : 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
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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