Karuppuleeswarar Temple, Gudiyatham, Vellore
Karuppuleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva located at Nellorepet
locality in Gudiyatham Town in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity
is called as Karuppuleeswarar / Bala Saarduleeswarar. Mother is called as Shivagama Sundari. Bala
Saarduleeswarar (means Baby – Tiger – Eswarar) translates to Karuppuleeswarar
in Tamil.
This is
an Ancient temple with beautiful sculptures and has a legendary connection to
Virinchipuram temple. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. It is famous
for its car festival (Ther Thiruvizha). This temple was the abode for famous
sage Koundinya Rishi and the river passing through the town is called in his
name "Koundinya Maha Nadi".
The
temple has lion tank (Simha kulam). During the Chola king Kulothunga 1 regime,
the king had denoted 90 goats for maintenance and for purchase of oil for
lighting the lamps. The temple has been further modified and renovated by
Vijayanagara Kings. The temple is a symbol of monuments of both Chola and
Vijayanagara Kingdoms.
The
Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Gudiyatham Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Melalathur
Railway Station, 7 Kms from Gudiyattam Railway Station, 13 Kms from Pallikonda,
27 Kms from Ambur, 34 Kms from Vellore, 178 Kms from Chennai and 168 Kms from
Chennai Airport. One has to take the Bangalore Highway from Vellore and turn
right at Pallikonda and go about 12 kms to reach Gudiyatham. Nearest
Railway Station is located at Melalathur and Nearest Airport is located at
Chennai.
