Gowthameswarar Temple, Karai, Vellore
Gowthameswarar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Karai in Vellore District of
Tamilnadu. The place Karai is located on the north banks of Palaru River. The
place was filled with Karai plant in the forest, hence the place was
known as Karai. Presiding Deity is called as Gowthameswarar and Mother is
called as Kirupambikai.
Legends
Shada Aranya Kshetrams:
Once, Goddess
Parvathy penanced at Kanchipuram (Prithvi Sthalam) which is one of
the Pancha Boodha Sthalam. Lord was pleased with her penance and married
her. Rishi’s and Devas from heaven came down to Kanchi, to
participate in the heavenly marriage of Lord Siva and Kamakshi
Ammai. The place was so crowded; Rishi’s who came to participate in the
marriage stayed in the forest near to Kanchipuram. They had to perform their
daily rituals unobstructed. Each one of them chose a place in the forest to
worship Lord Siva. All six places where they worshiped are known as Shada
Aranyam. Since Six Rishi’s worshiped Swayambu Lingam in these six places
it is considered holy to visit and worship Lord Siva here. The temples in these
places were big in size with Rajagopurams once. Gowthama Rishi installed and
worshiped Lord Siva in this place. Here in the temple there is a statue for
Gowthama seen in sitting posture in front of Lord Siva sanctum.
Karai:
The
place on the northern bank of River Palaru was once dense with Karai
trees. Hence, it got the name Karaimaraikadu which in course of time
shrunk as Karai.
Gowthameswarar:
Sage
Gautama cursed Indira for his immoral approach towards his wife. Yet, the
incident greatly disturbed the peace of his mind. He came to this place seeking
peace and worshipped Lord Shiva. For his puja, he made Ganga spring up here. The
river that came at the request of the sage was known as Gautami. In course of
time Gautami mingled with Palaru. As Gautama worshipped the Lord here, He is
called Gowthameswarar.
The
Temple
This is
a small temple and has no flag post (Kodimaram) and tower. Main
Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Gowthameswarar with his consort known as Kirupambikai.
Lord Gautameswara is known as “Vaidya” (doctor) for his healing blessings. The
roof tower (Vimana) in the sanctum sanctorum has paintings of Lord Dakshinamurthy
and Lord Krishna. There is a separate shrine for Lord Bhairava in the prakaram.
The
structure of the temple is such that the shrine of Mother Kirupambikai is in
the Artha Mandapam just opposite the Shrine of the Lord facilitating
simultaneous darshan of both. Gowthama Rishi installed and worshiped Lord
Siva in this place. Here in the temple there is a statue for Gowthama seen in
sitting posture in front of Lord Siva sanctum. Lord Sabeswara appears furious
in a shrine. Lord Vinayaka is installed by his side to cool him down.
On
Shivarathri day Lord graces with Mother Kirupambikai sitting on the Rishabam,
the bull vehicle of the Lord – Nandhi. This worship is considered very
blessingful. Besides this temple, on Shivarathri day, devotees also visit
simultaneously other nearby Shiva temples at Mel Visharam, Veppur, Pudhupadi,
Gudimallur, Vannivedu and Avarakkarai. To facilitate darshan to the
devotees, all the temples are kept open during the whole night.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is opened from 6.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. The devotee may get in touch with
the priest in advance for convenient darshan of the Lord.
Festivals
Special
abishek and pujas are performed to Lord Sarabeswara and Lord Vinayaka during
the Rahu Kala time on Sundays (from 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m). On Full moon days,
seven types of abishek are performed to Lord Shiva as he granted darshan to
Sage Gautama this day. Milk abishek is also performed on this day.
Prayers
Lord
Gautameswara is praised by the devotees as Vaidya (doctor) for curing the
prolonged and serious illnesses of his devotees. They offer abishek, vastras
and also a mixture of dry ginger, pepper and thippili as Nivedhana and consume
it as Prasad for remedy from serious diseases. Devotees perform abishek to Lord
and Mother and offer vastras.
Contact
Gautameswarar
Temple,
Karai,
Vellore District
Mobile: +91 – 97901 43219 / 99409 48918
Connectivity
The
Temple is located on the North bank of River Palaru. The Temple is located at
about 29 Kms from Vellore, 3 Kms from Ranipet, 7 Kms from Walajah, 19 Kms from Kaveripakkam,
24 Kms from Sirukarumbur, 6 Kms from Arcot, 29 Kms from Sholinghur, 53 Kms from
Arakkonam, 53 Kms from Thiruthani and 118 Kms from Chennai. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Walajah and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
References
