Alangudi

The ancient temple of Dakshinamurthy temple is present in a tiny village of Alangudi in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. It is also popular as the Arulmigu Abathsagayeswarar temple. Here Lord Shiva is the main deity.  There is a separate sanctum for the special deity Sri Dakshinamurthi.

Lord Guru or Lord Dakshinamurthy is one of the “Navagrahas” and refers to the planet Jupiter. The Balipeeta for Nandi has a covering of copper plates. Also, devotees believe that ‘Amudogar’, devotee of Lord Shiva, constructed this temple. He was also the minister of the King Masukuntha Chakravarti. Further, in the inner corridor of the temple the shrines of Lord Ganesh, Murugan, Lakshmi, Sapthalingas, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi and Sage Agasthya are present.

What is the history of Alangudi?

As per history of Alangudi, Devas and Asuras tried to churn the Cosmic Ocean to obtain Amrita. It was the nectar of immortal life. By the suggestion of Vishnu, the gods (devas) and demons (Asuras) churn the primeval ocean in order to obtain Amrita which will guarantee them immortality.

To churn the ocean they used the Serpent King, Vasuki, for their churning-string. For a churning pole they use Mount Mandara placed on the back of a Great Tortoise. It was the Kurma Avatar of Vishnu. As the gods and demons churned the sea, a terrible poison issued out of the sea which enveloped the universe.

The devas and asuras approach Shiva who took the poison into his throat and swallowed it. As Lord Shiva saved the world from the poison the Lord here is popular as ‘Abath Sagayeswarar’. This place also famous as Alangudi ( poison means Alam in tamil).

When the devas were churning the paarkadal for nectar, poisonous fumes from the snake Vasuki disturbed them and hence, they prayed to Lord Siva for deliverance. Lord Siva consumed the deadly poison (Ala Visham), thus giving rise to the name Alangudi

Devotees visit here to worship the planet Guru (Jupiter). Every year during the planet Jupiter’s movement from one house to another house is very auspicious and lakhs of devotees arrive to worship the Guru Bhagavan.

What is the significance of the Alangudi Temple?

Here’s the significance of Alangudi Temple:

• Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Jupiter in this temple will cure the Guru dosha. Also, all the skin diseases will cure after taking a bath in the holy tank of this temple. Here, Lord Ganesha even removes the devotee’s mental worries.

• Further, Guru gives luck,richness,health in one’s life. But if it is in a wrong position means they will get heart problems,education problems etc. To overcome these problems devotees going to Alangudi and do things to satisfy Lord Guru.

What are the timings of Alangudi Temple Temple?

Here are the timings of Alangudi Temple:

Timings	From	To
Morning Darshan	6:00 AM	1:00 PM
Evening Darshan	5:00 PM	9:00 PM
Kaala Santhi Pooja	08.00 AM	08.30 AM
Uchikala Pooja	12.30 PM	01.00 PM
Saayaratchi Pooja	05.00 PM	06.00 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at the Alangudi Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at the Alangudi Temple are:

• Skanda Sashti: Skanda Sashti festival is dedicated to Hindu God Muruga (Karikeya or Subrahmanya). Kanda Sashti occurs in the Tamil Month Aippasi. Son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the divine incarnation of Skanda was to primarily annihilate the demons that had created anarchy on earth and restore Dharma. He was also the commander of the army of the Devas. Also, the fasting of Skanda Shasti begins on the Pradma Thithi after Deepavali in Tamil Nadu. 
• Aadi Puram: The story of Goddess Andal is famous throughout Tamil Nadu. She is also famous for her steadfast devotion for Sri Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu).There is a popular belief that Goddess Andal is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Aadi Puram is of great significance in Lord Vishnu Temples in Tamil Nadu. Equally important is the day in Shakti Temples.
• Arudra Darisanam: Arudra Darshan is a Tamil festival and this day is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Arudra Nakshatram, which is also famous as Thiruvaathirai Nakshatram, during Maargazhi Masam is considered highly auspicious. Most of the temples around the world with Lord Nataraja and Shiva as deity perform the Arudhra Darshan.
• Kartikai Deepam: Karthigai Deepam comes on the tamil month Karthigai on Pournami day(Full moon day). Throughout the month, devotees light lamps in the front of the house in the evening. Special rituals also take place for Lord Muruga on this day.
• Thai Poosam: Thaipusam is an important festival dedicated to Lord Muruga or Kartikeya. Many devotees  also bear milk, water, fruits and floral tributes on pails hung from a yoke and carry them on their shoulders to various Murugan temples, far and near. Moreover, a wooden or bamboo structure- ‘Kavadi’ has a covering of cloth and decoration of feathers of peacock -vehicle of Lord Murugan.

What are the Poojas and Rituals of Alangudi?

The poojas and rituals of Alangudi are:

• The worshipper lights 24 lamps with ghee and circumambulates the Guru Bhagavan temple 24 times.
• Also, Kaala santhi takes place within 240 minutes or 4 hours of sunrise.
• Saayaratchai pooja starts  3/3-4 Nazhigai  90 minutes before sunset and end at sunset time of that day.
• Then, Arththa Yaama pooja takes place d after the Irandaam kaala pooja but 3/3-4 90 minutes before the closing of the temple. Finally, this pooja will come to an end with the closure of the temple for that day.

How to reach Alangudi?

Here’s how to reach Alangudi:

• Air: The nearest airport is Thanjavur, 28 Km from the temple.
• Train: Needamangalam Railway Station, on the Thanjavur – Thiruvarur rail route, is the nearest railhead. It is 7 km from Alangudi. 
• Bus: Alangudi is 40 km from Tiruvarur on the Mannarkudi route and it can be reached from Kumbakonam.

What are some places to stay in  Alangudi?

Some of the places where one can stay in Alangudi are:

• Sivamurugan Hotels Contact: 60 Feet Main Road, | Near New Bus Stand, Kumbakonam 612 001, India
• Sara Regency  Contact: 45/1 Chennai Road, Kumbakonam 612002, India
• Quality Inn VIHA  Contact: New Railway Road, Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Tamil Nadu 612001
• Hotel Green Park Contact: No. 10, Lakshmi Vilas Street, Kumbakonam, South India – 612001
• Hotel Vinayaga  Contact: 132C, Kamaraj Road, Kumbakonam- 612 001, Tamilnadu, India</li>

Where to eat in Alangudi?

Some places where one can eat in Alangudi are:

• Venkatramanaa Hotel Contact: No 40, TSR Big Street, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001, Near Gandhi Park
• Sri Balaji Bhavan Contact: Sasthra College Road, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001
• Hotel Shanmuga Bhavan Contact: 16, Kumbeswarar South Street, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001
• Gowri Shankar Hotel Contact: No 47, John Selvaraj Nagar, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001
• Rayas Garden Restaurant Contact: No 18 Rayas Hotel, Head Post Office Road, Kumbakonam HO, Kumbakonam – 612001

What are some temples near the Alangudi temple?

Some of the temples near Alangudi Temple are:

Sri Perungaraiyadi Meenda Ayyanar: Sri Perungaraiyadi Meenda Ayyanar Temple is one of the famous temples in Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu. Moreover, the temple’s history dates back to 18th century. The temple is in the bank of Villuni River. As per the researchers, there used to be a big Elephant idol facing opposite to the Horse idol in this Temple

Vasisteshwaran Temple: The temple dates from the 12th century AD and was built by the Cholas. Also, Maharshi Vasishta worshipped Jupiter as Raja Guru in this temple; hence the place has Guru importance. The Goddess here is also popular as Sugantha Kunthalambigai as a girl by name Sugantha Kunthala brought husband back to life after worshipping Ulaganayaki. 

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