Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi

Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi is one of the Navagraha (nine planets) temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the village of Alangudi in the Valangaiman taluk of Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Also it is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where Campantar, one of the four most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints) have sung the glories of this temple.

Alangudi Lord Guru Bhagavan or Lord Dakshinamurthy is referred to the planet Jupiter, and Alangudi is the “Guru Stalam” dedicated to the planet Jupiter.

The presiding deity here is Abathsahayeswarar and his consort is Elavarkuzhali Ammai or Umayammai. The other deities are, Lord Ganesha/Vinayagar known here as “Sri Kalangamar Katha Vinayagar”, Lord Murugan (Subramanyam) with his consorts; and Goddess Lakshmi.

Alangudi is surrounded by three holy rivers. They are Cauvery, Kolidam and Vennaru. The temple I is surrounded by 15 theerthams among which the Amrita Pushkarani encircling the temple is very famous. Chakra theertham is in front of the temple. It is said that this theertham, was created by Maha Vishnu’s Chakra (Disc).

The temple has a 5-tier rajagopuram surrounded by two prakarams (closed precincts of a temple. Poolai Shrub is the holy tree of this Sthalam and it is an object of worship here.

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Apatsahayesvarar Temple was believed to be constructed by an ardent of Lord Shiva. ‘Amuthokar’, the minister of the King Masukuntha Chakravarti. He was beheaded by the Chakravarti, as he refused to give half of his Punya, (merit) to the King. On his death, the sthalam reverberated with the sound ‘Amuthokar’. The King got frightened at this constant diabolic echo, realizes his mistake and worshiped the Lord Abadsahayeswarar with ardent devotion. Then, he was relieved from all Doshas .

Legend has it that Alangudi is the place where Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison as emitted during the churning of the ‘paarkadal’ (Sea of milk). Hence the place is known as Alangudi, which literally mean ‘the place where Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison’. The Devas, when churning the paarkadal for nectar, were hindered by the poisonous fumes from the snake Vasuki and prayed to Lord Siva for deliverance. Lord Siva consumed the deadly poison (Ala Visham), thus giving rise to the name Alangudi to this sthalam and the Lord was known as ” Apatsahayesvarar ” (One who defends from the danger).

Once a Chola Raja, who ruled over Thiruvarur, was fascinated by the idol of Sundaramurthy at Alangudi and desired to have it installed at Thiruvarur for worship. On learning this, temple priest at Alangudi become panic stricken. He disguised the idol as a child affected with chicken-pox, hid it inside a swing and brought it back safely to Alangudi. The traces of Chicken-pox can still be seen on this image.

Four worship services are offered daily. Apatsahayesvarar Temple opens daily from 5:30 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 8 pm. Elaborated poojas performed in the evening are very famous in this temple.

Annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Chittirai. Also Hindu festival including Navaratri, Skanda Sashti, Aadi Puram, Arudra Darisanam, Kartikai Deepam, Thai Poosam and Pankuni Uththiram are celebrated here with much religious fervor. Guru Peyarchi, the transit of Guru (Planet Jupiter) from one zodiac sign to another, is another major festival celebrated in the temple. Special Darshans are arranged on Thursdays and on the days of Jupiter’s transit to the next Zodiac sign.

Donating yellow colored garments and chick peas (Channadal) is believed to bring happiness to his devotees.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity

The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Aabathsagayeswara or Aranyeswara, a Swayambu Lingam, and the Goddess is Umai Ammai. There is a separate sanctum for the special deity Sri Dakshinamurthi.. There are about 15 Theerthas (water bodies) in the temple. Guru, the preceptor of the devas is held in high esteem in the temple.

Legend has it that Lord Dakshinamurthy is said to have preached the Devas who were swooned under the impact of the poison that came out of the churning of the milky ocean. He is called as Brahaspathi or Brihaspati for his excellence in education and fine arts.

Being a Guru Kshetra, Thursdays attract a large number of pilgrims and special pujas are performed. Yellow color garment and chick pea (konda kadalai) are offered to bring happiness to a Guru devotee. ‘Gu’ in Sanskrit means darkness and ‘ru’ means the destroyer of that. Hence Guru means one who destroys darkness or one who enlightens. Thus Guru is one who leads you from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. It is believed that students, in order to excel in education, can offer kondakadalai garland (chick pea is soaked in water and made as a garland) to Lord Guru. Large numbers of devotees throng here during Guru Peyarchi that is when Jupiter transits between zodiac signs.

New Moon Day (Ammavasai), Full Moon Day (pournami), Guruhorai, Days falling on stars like punarpoosam, Visagam and Pooratathi are very auspicious for Sri Guru Bhagavan. Offering prayers on these days are more special.

Guru is attributed to luck, favor and fortune. The unfavourable position in the horoscope can cause skin problems, arthritis, heart related problems, worry &uneasiness. Guru blesses his devotees with progeny, good education, valour, long life and cure from diseases.

The Lord of this Sthalam is Swayumbhu (Natural origination of the idol). Hence, the period of this temple could not be fixed accurately. The temple is existing from ancient times.

Alangudi is a small town in the Cauvery delta region, situated in the Tiruvarur district of TN, around 17 km south of Kumbakonam, enroute to Mannargudi, and 7 km north of Needamangalam. Kumbakonam is nearest major town to reach Alangudi.

By Road

There are many buses plying from Kumbakonam to Mannargudi which stops at Alangudi.

By Rail

Needamangalam Railway Station, on the Thanjavur – Thiruvarur rail route, is the nearest railhead, which is 7 km from Alangudi. Other than that Kumbakonam is another major railway station.

Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi,Tamil Nadu