Visit Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy Temple (Gurusthalam) at Alangudi, Tamil Nadu, India: Jupiter (Guru) Transit December 2009

• Shrine - Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy Temple, Guru sthalam, Thirumana Mangalam, Kasi Aranyam, Thiruvirumpoolai and Jananatha Saruppedimangalam
• Principal deity - Sri Abath Sahayeswarar,
• Consort - Yelavarkuzhali
• Guru shrine - In this temple the shrine of Lord Dakshinamurthy located at the southern circumambulatory path (prakaram) of the sanctum santorum of Sri Abath Sahayeswarar
• Shrines for - Bhrameesar, Gurumoksheswarar, Kasi Viswanathar and Kasi Visalakshi, Saptarishi nathar, Somanathar, Someswarar, Surya, and Vishnunathar.
• Holy Tree - Dark Colored Poolai (Botanical Name: Aerva lanata - Amaranthaceae)
• Holy water - Amirtha Pushkarani, the Jnana Koopam. (well) (Total fifteen holy waterheads inside the temple)
• Glorified by - 98th Thevaram shrine among the 127 temples located on the southern bank of the holy river Cauvery. Glorified by Thirugnanasambandar Thavaram.
• Worshiped by - Brahma, Lakshmi, Garuda, Veerabhadrar and Sundarar
• Festival - Annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chithirai (Apr -May).
• Opening Hours - 6.00 A.M. to 1.00 P.M. 4.00 P.M. to 9.00 P.M.
• ContactContact - The Executive officer, Sri Apathsahayeswaraswamy temple, Alangudi, Valangaiman taluk, Thiruvaroor district Pin 612 801. Phone 04374-69407.

Overview of the Temple

Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy Temple, unique Guru-sthalam (Jupiter temple), Alangudi is an important saivite temple located in Thiruvoor district, Tamilnadu, India. It is one among the nine 'Navagraha shrines' located around the temple town Kumbakonam. It is a medium size temple spread across 1.25 acres and protected by lofty walls. Alangudi is a small village 17 kms away from Kumbakonam en route to Needamangalam.

Legend

The temple was constructed during the Chola Emperor Musukunda Chakravarthy of Thiruvaroor. His Minister, Amuthohar an ardent Saivite devotee. The King demanded the Minister to share his Karma (Punniya) he earned by being a Siva devotee with the King. Since the Minster refused to part his punniya, the King ordered to behead the Minister. The sin or dosha of Musukunda Chakravarthy was nullified by Apathsahayeswara Swamy at Alangudi.

Why We Call it Alangudi?

The Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) joint together and churned the milky ocean for the Amirt (nectar of immortality). They engaged Mount Mandara as churn stick and the celestial serpent Vasuki as wrapping thread around the mount. Lord Vishnu took the form of tortoise (Koorma Avatar) and got below the mount to provide surface strength. During this process Vasuki spit out the deadly poison known as 'Alakala poison.' The fumes of the deadly poison engulfed the ocean. Devas surrendered to Lord Siva and offered prayers to protect from poison. Lord Siva consumed the poison and fainted. His consort Sakthi put her hands at the throat of Lord Siva and stopped the poison at His throat. His throat turned blue color (Lord Neelakandan). Thus name Alangudi is associated with 'Alakala Poison.'

Other Names

The name of the shrine was mentioned as 'Kasi Aranyam' 'Thirumana Mangalam' and 'Thiruvirumpoolai' in the literature. Lord Ganapathy destroyed the demon called Gajamuhasuran and hence he is being praised as 'Kalangaamal Kaatha Vinayagar'.

Lord's Grace to Sundarar

Lord Siva appeared as boatman and rendered support to His devotee Sundaramoorthy Nayanar and helped the individual to cross the Vettaru River and to reach Alangudi. Sundarar was enlightened here by the Lord (Dakshinamurthy) of enlightenment.

Inscriptions

This place was referred as Jananatha Saruppedimangalam in the inscriptions of Vikrama Chola (1131).
The principal deity is Sri Abath Sahayeswarar (Lord Siva). Since the Siva Lingam at the sanctum sanctorum of this temple sprung up by itself, it is known as Suyambu Lingam. His consort Sri Yelavarkuzhali is found in a separate shrine.

Planet Guru

According to Vedic Hindu astrology Guru (Jupiter) is also called as Brihaspathi and Devaguru. Guru is considered as the most benefic planet. Guru rules the moon signs Sagittarius and Pisces. He is exalted at Cancer and debilitated at Capricorn. Guru is the lord of fortune. Guru is the watery (kapa) planet. He rules the north east direction.

Lord Guru Baghavan

Lord Guru Baghavan is mounted on his vehicle, the Elephant. His consorts are Goddess Thara and Goddess Sangini. Fifth day of the week (Thursday) is auspicious to Guru. Full moon day (Poornima) is also regarded as auspicious tithi. His gemstone is yellow sapphire; metal gold; flower mullai; grain channa dhal; color of the robe yellow.

Lord Dakshinamurthy

On the southern circumambulatory path (prakaram) of the sanctum santorum of Sri Abath Sahayeswarar you will find the south facing shrine of Lord Dakshinamurthy's (an aspect of Lord Siva). Hindus regard the special reverence to the Guru or the teacher. Lord Dakshinamurthy, the south facing God, is regarded as embodiment of knowledge and he is the ultimate Guru (teacher) or Jupiter in Saiva Siddhartha (Hindu Philosophy). Saiva Agamas regard Lord Dakshinamurthy as an icon for all type of knowledge or gnana. He is found seated under the canopy of stony banyan tree (kal-alam maram). Lord Dakshinamurthy is regarded as destroyer of ignorance. The Lord demonstrates this by resting His right leg on Muyalagan (the monster = symbol of ignorance). He also enlightens His subjects with Jnana Mudra and disseminating wisdom, yoga and music to His disciples, the Sanakathi sages. They are seated at the Lord's feet and performing penance. The Abhaya Mudra shows Lord's grace over His subjects. The snake (being used as rosary) held at the hand indicates the Tantric knowledge. The fire at the other hand used to illuminate world and to drive away darkness.

Other Shrines

The temple has separate shrines for goddess Sri Yelavarkuzhali. You will also find shrines to Bhrameesar, Gurumoksheswarar, Kasi Viswanathar and Kasi Visalakshi, Saptarishi nathar, Somanathar, Someswarar, Surya, and Vishnunathar.

Holy tree

Dark Colored Poolai (Botanical Name: Aerva lanata - Amaranthaceae) flower tree is regarded as the holy tree.

Holy Water (Theertham)

You will find fifteen holy water heads inside the temple. Amirtha Pushkarani is the principal water head. A well named as the Jnana Koopam is located inside the temple premises. Poolaivala, a river flows in the eastern side of the temple. The river water is used to bathe the deities (abishekam).

Glorified by Thevaram

Alangudi is the 98th Saivite shrine among the 127 shrines glorified by Thevaram hymns and located on the southern banks of the holy river Cauvery. Saint Thirugnanasambandar glorified the Lord of this temple with his Thevaram hymns.

Astrological Remedies

All Thursdays are auspicious to Lord Guru. Full moon days ate also auspicious. Guru Hora days associated with stars Purattadhi, Punarpoosam and Visagam are most auspicious. You may visit this temple either on Thursdays or full moon days. The tariffs for archana, abhishekam and guru homam (havan) are minimum. You may light 24 earthen ghee lamps at the sanctum sanctorum of Guru and proceed for 24 pradakshinams. You may also offer yellow clothes, mullai flowers, channa dhal and sweet pongal to Lord Guru. On December 15th, 2009 the temple administration will make special arrangements for transport, special darshan, homam, abhishekam and archons.

Festival

The annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chithirai. The temple also celebrates the important festivals like Thai Poosam, Aadi Puram, Navaratri, Skanda Sashti, Karthikai Deepam, Arudra Darisanam and Panguni Uththiram.

Location

Alangudi is the small village on the Kumbakonam - Needamangalam road in Tiruvaroor district. From Needamangalam the temple is 7 kms away. From Kumbakonam the temple is 17 Kms away. It is 35 Kms away from Thanjavur and it is 6 Kms away from Mannargudi.

Kumbakonam is 375 km from Chennai and 96 km away from Tiruchirapalli. The nearest airport is at Tiruchirapalli. There are regular flights between Chennai and Tiruchirapalli. From Tiruchirapalli you may hire taxi or travel by bus. Taxi fare will be around Rs. 1200.

Kumbakonam railway station is located at the Chennai to Tiruchirapalli main line railway route. Few trains are being operated by Southern Railway. You may also reserve train tickets at the computerized reservation counter at Kumbakonam station. The nearest cities connected by Kumbakonam include Tiruchirapalli, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Chidambaram and Chennai.

Kumbakonam is well connected by long distance bus services to all the major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu as well as Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh operated by State Express Transport Corporation.

Reference

1.Gurupeyarchi at Alangudi http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/07/18/stories/2003071801340400.htm
2.Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy (Guru Bhagavan) - Alangudi near Needam http://www.pondyonline.com/user/NavagrahaTemples/Jupiter.aspx
3.Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy Alangudi http://www.pariharam.com/Temple_Alangudi.aspx?TempleID=TMPL005
4.The wonders of Guru at Alangudi http://archives.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/alangudi.asp