About the TempleLord Guru or Lord Dakshinamurthy is one of the "Navagrahas" and is referred to the planet Jupiter. The ancient temple of Dakshinamurthy temple is nestled in a tiny village of Alangudi in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as the "Arulmigu Abathsagayeswarar temple". Here, Lord Shiva is the main deity. The Balipeeta for Nandi is covered by copper plates.
The period of this temple could not be decided accurately since the Lord of this temple is Swayumbhu. It is believed that this temple was constructed by ‘Amudogar’, devotee of Lord Shiva. He was the minister of the King Masukuntha Chakravarti. The Rajagopuram has five layers which are constructed very aesthetically. Lord Dakshinamurthy has a substantial importance in the temple. In the inner corridor of the temple the shrines of Lord Ganesh, Murugan, Lakshmi, Sapthalingas, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi and Sage Agasthya can be seen.
Temple Entrance
HistoryAs per Hindu mythology, once Devas and Asuras tried to churn the Cosmic Ocean in order to obtain Amrita - the nectar of immortal life. To churn the ocean, the Serpent King, Vasuki was used as a churning-string. Mount Mandara placed on the back of a Great Tortoise was used as a churning pole. As the gods and demons churned the sea, a terrible poison released out of the sea which enveloped the universe. The gods and demons approach Lord Shiva who hold the poison in his throat. As Lord Shiva saved the world from the poison the Lord here is called as ‘Abath Sagayeswarar’.
As per another mythological story, the temple was built by a Shiva devotee Amudogar who was a minister in Thiruvarur kingdom. The King asked him to donate half of his good will earned. As he refused to do so, the king ordered to kill him. Once he was beheaded, there was an oracle was heard as “Amudogar” in the temple location. King knew it was the voice of the God and it was his mistake to kill Amudogar. The king worshipped in this temple later to get rid of the sin of killing a Shiva devotee.Apart from worshipping Lord Shiva, devotees visit here to worship the planet Jupiter. Lakhs of devotes arrive here to worship Lord Guru.
Temple Idol
Prominence of the Shrine: It is believed that worshipping Lord Jupiter in this sacred temple will cure the Guru dosha. All the skin diseases will get cured after taking a bath in the holy tank of this temple. Here, Lord Ganesha removes the devotee’s mental worries, hence he is known as “Kalangamal Kaththa Vinayagar”
Temple Architecture
Festivals and Celebrations
The third Thursday of tamil month Maasi is joyously celebrated in the temple.
Annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai.
Hindu festivals including Navaratri, Skanda Sashti, Aadi Puram, Arudra Darisanam, Kartikai Deepam, Thai Poosam and Pankuni Uththiram are celebrated here with religious fervor.
Guru Peyarchi, the transit of Planet Jupiter from one zodiac sign to another, is a major festival celebrated in the temple.How to Reach
By Road: Alangudi is 40 km from Tiruvarur on the Mannargudi route. It can also be reached from Kumbakonam. Bus facilities are available at both ends.
By Train: Needamangalam Railway Station is 7 km from Alangudi. Kumbakonam railway station Junction is 14 km away from Alangudi Guru Temple.
By Air: The nearest airport is Tirchy.
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