Alangudi

Shri Dakshinamurthy - Guru of Alangudi

Guru

Alangudi is a small village in Thiruvarur Dt. of Tamil Nadu. It is 7 Kms South of Needamangalam Railway station and 17 Kms South of Kumbakonam, on the road that leads to Manargudi. This place is also called as Kasi Arranyam, Thiru Irumpoolai. The Divine poet, Thirugnanasambandar has blessed this Sthalam as beautiful place filled with flowers.

While devas were churning the 'paar kadal' the resultant venom threatened to destroy the living beings. This deadly venom was called 'Alangala visham' ( deadly venom). To protect the devas and the living beings of the worls, Lord Shiva consumed this venom. To mark that, this place is known as 'Alan gudi' ( one who drank the Alangala venom).

Alangudi is the place, where the planet Guru is worshipped in the form of Sri Dakshinamurthy. Millions throng his place on the day of Jupiter’s transit to the next sign, to solicit Jupiter’s protection from afflictions. Lord Jupiter’s 'drishti' (friendly look )can bring a lot of blessings from him. He is also known as Brihaspathi possessing supreme intelligence, excelling in education and fine arts.

Guru is known for his soft character with golden complexion. Those who worship are blessed with goodness in their profession, happiness, happy marriage, parenthood and wealth. As against Shani's influence, Guru's influence has a positive impact in one's life

Sri Abathsagayeswarar temple - Alangudi

The temple has a large five tier rajagopuram. As you enter you can worship the 'Kalangamal katha Vinayagar' and as you go past that sannithi(sanctum), you will reach the first praharam where you can see sukravara amman sannithi. Next to that is the sanctum of Lord Shiva's consort Parvathy, here called as Umayammai and also called as Elavar Kuzhaliammai. The mother faces south and the sannithi has its own praharam.

If you proceed further you can see kasi Viswanathar,Visalakshi , sage Agasthiyar sannithis, and in the north you can see Lord Subramanya with Valli, Deivayanai, Mahalakshmi, Navagraha, sage poets Sammandar, Appar, Manivasakar sannithis. In the east, there are sannithis for Bhairavar,Chandran, and in the snactum santorum, you can see Lord Shiva in the form lingam called here as Abathusagayar ( one who helps during crisis).

In the south is the sanctum of Guru in the form of Dakshinamoorthy.

Festivals

Special Darshans are arranged on Thursdays and on the days of Jupiter’s transit to the next zodiac sign. Masi Maham, (i.e the day of the star makha, in the solar month of Aquaris between 12 February and 14 March) is another grand festival celeberated here. Ten days festival starting Chitra pournami ( Full moon day during mid May) is also very important and celeberated in a grand manner here. Elaborate poojas performned in the evenings are very famous in this temple.

Temple location It is situated in the heart of the Alangudi town.

Temple Timings It is normally open from 6 am –12.30pm and 4.00pm-8.30pm.

How to reach?

Alangudi is around 20kms from Kumbakonam towards Mannargudi.

Where to Stay?There are no hotels here.It is better to have Kumbakonam as your headquarters where you have plenty of budget, semi-deluxe and semi deluxe hotels.
Where to Eat?There are no good restaurants here. You can go back to Kumbakonam for lunch/dinner
Places nearbyThe other eight Navagraha temples are in proximity to Alangudi. Suriyanar Koil (for the planet Surya or Sun God), Kanjanoor (for the planet Venus or Sukran),Thirunallaru (for for the planet Saturn or Shani), Thiruvenkadu (for the planet Mercury or Budhan), Vaideeswaran koil (for the planet Mars or Sevvai), Thirunageswaram and Keezhperumpallam (for the two snake planets) and Thingalur (for the Moon). Mayavaram, Kumbakonam, Mannargudi are nearby.
Contact Executive officer,Abathsagayeswarar temple, Alangudi - 612 801
Phone : +91- 4374-269407
Useful data
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Tanjore/Kumbakonam
Famous for: Pilgrimage
Languages: English,Tamil
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very hot and dry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level