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;
http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/06/apatsahayesvarar-temple-guru-sthalam-festivals.html
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
Thirumurai. Appar, 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.