Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Apatsahayesvarar Temple (Guru Sthalam), Alangudi, Thiruvarur

Apatsahayesvarar Temple (Guru Sthalam), Alangudi, Thiruvarur
Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi or Guru Sthalam or Thiru Irum Poolai is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the village of Alangudi in the Valangaiman Taluk of Thiruvarur District in Tamilnadu. Shiva is worshipped as Apatsahayesvarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Tribuvananayagi / Elavarkuzhali. The temple complex covers two acres and it houses two gateway tower known as gopurams, one facing the Apathsaheswarar shrine and other towards North. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Apathsaheswarar and his consort Elavarkuzhali being the most prominent.





While the deity who attracts the maximum crowd at Alangudi is Guru Bhagavan, or Dhakshinamoorthy, the main deity in the temple is Shiva as Aapathsahayar - the one who aids his devotees in troubled times. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. The Brahmotsavam festival celebrated during Chittirai (April–May) is the most prominent festival. Alangudi is also called as Kasi Aranyam.





Alangudi has attained fame due to its position as the Guru Sthalam among the Navagraha temples. It is also a part of the Pancha Aranya Sthalams, and is, interestingly, also among the Parivara Sthalams of Thiruvidaimarudhur Maha Lingeswarar Temple. Alangudi is the fourth among this group of temples to be visited on the same day as the rest of the Aranya Sthalams. The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during the Nayak during the 16th century. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamilnadu





The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. This is the 215th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 98th Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery in Chozha Naadu.





This temple is considered as one of the Navagraha temples dedicated to the planet Jupiter (Guru). Abathsahayeswarar Temple is also called by the names Guru Sthalam or Tiru Irum Poolai. Navagraha temples are the nine temples dedicated to Navagrahas (nine planets or nine celestial bodies). The Navagrahas are believed to be the transmitters of Universal, quintessential energy or power. And most of these Navagraha temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva is worshipped as the main deity. The only Navagraha temple dedicated to one of the nine Grahams (celestial bodies) is Suryanar temple.





The Navagraha Temples are:
·        Suryanar Kovil (or) Sun Temple – Surya (Sun)
·        Agneeswarar Temple, Kanjanur – Shukra (Venus)
·        Kailasanathar Temple, Thingalur – Chandra (Moon)
·        Vaitheeswaran Temple – Mangala (Mars)
·        Thirunageswaram Naganatha Swamy Temple – Rahu
·        Sri Dharbaranyeswarar Swamy Temple, Thirunallar – Sani (Saturn)
·        Naganathaswami Temple, Keezhperumpallam – Kethu
·        Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Alangudi – Guru (Jupiter)
·        Swetharanyeswara Swamy Temple, Thiruvengadu Budhan Sthalam – Budha (Mercury)
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6 .00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Pooja Timings
·        Kalasanthi - 08.00AM to 08.30AM
·        Uchikalam - 12.30PM to 01.00PM
·        Sayaratchai - 05.00PM to 06.00PM
·        Arthajamam - 08.30PM to 09.00PM
Guru Abishekam (Daily):
·        Morning - 06.00AM to 07.00AM
Urchavar Guru Abishekam (Daily):
·        From 08.00AM to 08.30AM
·        From 12.00PM to 12.30PM
·        From 05.00PM to 05.30PM
Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
Literary Mention
The temple is counted as one of the Navagraha Temples for planet Guru (Jupiter). Thirugnana Sambandar, a 7th-century Tamil Saivite poet, venerated Abathsahayeswarar in ten verses in Thevaram, compiled as the First ThirumuraiAppar, a contemporary of Sambandar, also venerated Abathsahayeswarar in 10 verses in Thevaram, compiled as the Fifth Thirumurai. As the temple is revered in Thevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. The temple is one of the most visited temples in the district. This is the 215th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 98th Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery in Chozha Naadu.
Prayers
Those afflicted with snake planet aspects, suffering from some fear and confusion pray to Lord Vinayaka and for removal of obstacles in marriage talks, for achieving excellence in academic field. Devotees perform abishek to the Lord and offer Vastras – clothing. Those worshipping in this temple on Thursdays are blessed with all welfare in life. Those afflicted by snake planet aspects get relief here. Those worshipping in this temple on Thursdays are blessed with all welfare in life. Those afflicted by snake planet aspects get relief here.
People's whose Birth star sign is Punarvasu Nakshatra have to visit Abathsahayeswarar temple - Alangudi in Tamil Nadu twice in an year or at least once in an year. They should stay in the temple or premises for two and half hours. Visit the Temple on Punarvasu Nakshatra. Alangudi is the Parihara Sthalam (shrine to negate ill effects of a planet) for Guru/Jupiter. So devotees come here to pray for relief from the planet’s malfeasance in the natal chart according to astrology.
Contact
Abathsahayeswarar Temple,
Alangudi Post – 612 801,
Valangaiman Taluk,
Thiruvarur District
Phone: +91 – 4374 – 269 407
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 36 Kms from Thiruvarur, 22 Kms from Mannargudi, 8 Kms from Needamangalam, 40 Kms from Thanjavur, 18 Kms from Kumbakonam and 95 Kms from Trichy. It can be reached from Kumbakonam and Thiruvarur. Bus facilities are available at both ends. Nearest Railway Station is located at Needamangalam and Kumbakonam. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.