Gudimallur Thiruvantheeswarar Temple- Vellore

Address

Gudimallur Thiruvantheeswarar Temple, Gudimallur, Walajapet, Vellore District, Tamilnadu- 632513

Diety

Sri Thiruvantheeswarar, Athirishwarar Amman: Sri Tripura Sundari

Introduction

The Thiruvantheeswarar Temple, popularly known as Athreeswarar Temple, is a prominent Lord Shiva temple located in Gudimallur, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Location and Deities:

The Thiruvantheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, with the presiding deity known as Thiruvantheeswarar. It is believed that the main deity is a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested).
The temple is located in the village of Gudimallur, which is renowned for a type of lily known as “Guda.” This village derived its name from the lily and is called “Gudimallur.”

Puranic Significance:

The temple’s origins are estimated to date back to the 12th to 13th century, and it underwent reconstruction during the Vijayanagara period. A Vijayanagara relief of a baboon can be found on the ceiling stone in the front mandapam of the temple.
According to legend, the temple is associated with the great sage Atri (Athiri/Atri Maharishi) and his wife Anusuya. Atri Maharishi was one of the Saptha Rishis (Seven Sages), and his wife Anusuya is revered as one of the seven Pathivradhas (chaste women). Atri and Anusuya performed intense penance to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma. Pleased with their devotion, the divine trinity appeared before them and granted their boon.
Atri Maharishi and Anusuya asked for the boon that all three deities be born as their children. Lord Brahma was born as Chandra (the moon), Lord Vishnu as Dattatreya, and Lord Shiva as Durvasa. Since Atri worshiped Lord Shiva, this temple is known as Atri Temple, and Lord Shiva is referred to as Athirishwarar.
The temple also has connections to the marriage of Goddess Parvathi to Lord Shiva in Kanchipuram. During this celestial wedding, sages and celestial beings gathered to witness the event and decided to perform their daily rituals in the forest. Each of the six Rishis chose a different place in the forest to worship Lord Shiva. All six places where they worshiped are known as Shada Aranyam. Athri Maharishi worshiped Lord Shiva here, and there is a statue of him in a sitting posture.

Beliefs and Special Features:

There is a belief that circumambulating the temple three times and meditating here can help resolve obstacles and problems.
The temple is south-facing and features a “Kodi Maram” (flagstaff) and “Balipeedam” (sacrificial altar) located near the large Nandi (sacred bull). The entrance to the temple is in the north.
The presiding deity, Thiruvantheeswarar, faces east, while the Goddess Thiripurasundari faces south.

Festivals:

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with great fervor in this temple.

The Thiruvantheeswarar Temple is not only a place of worship but also holds historical and mythological significance. Devotees visit to seek blessings and participate in the temple’s religious and cultural events.