Alangudi Namapuriswarar Temple, Pudukkottai

Address

Alangudi Namapuriswarar Temple, Alangudi, Pudukkottai District – 622301. Phone: +91 99767 92377

Deity

Namapuriswarar Amman: Aram Valartha Naayagi

Introduction

• Location: Alangudi village, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu.
• Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Namapuriswarar.
• Mother: Called Aram Valartha Naayagi.
• Special Feature: Nandi placed opposite the Moolavar; significant as Vishnu is said to have worshiped Shiva in the form of Nandi.
• Significance: Known as Mercury Pradosa Sthalam.
• Unique Event: Three-minute Shiva Puja performed by the Sun Lord with his rays from 6:30 am to 6:45 am, occurring from March 25 to January 10.

Puranic Significance

• Cosmic Churning: Associated with the churning of the Cosmic Ocean to obtain Amrita (nectar of immortality).
• Mythological Context:
  • Devas and asuras used Vasuki as a churning-string and Mount Mandara as a pole.
  • Poison (Halahala) emerged during the churning, threatening the universe.
  • Shiva drank the poison to save the universe, with Alangudi being the location where this occurred (Alam means “poison”, Gudi means “drinking”).
• Temple Origin: Built by King Sundarapandian (1216–1238 CE) in commemoration of the event.

Beliefs

• For Children: People pray to the deity to remedy planetary or horoscope-related doshas and to enhance academic knowledge.

Special Features

• Dakshinamoorthy: Depicted with two Rishis instead of four, accompanied by a rabbit (Mehta Dakshinamoorthy).
• Guru Sthalam: Known as the Second Guru Sthalam, in proximity to the existing Navagraha Guru Sthalam in Alangudi, Thiruvarur district.
• Sun Worship: Unique focus on the Sun; worshiped by Namapuriswarar with rays during the three-minute puja.
• Other Deities: Presence of Kala Bhairav on the right of the Sun and Balasaneeswarar (son of Kala Bhairav) on the left.
• Adi Manikkavasagar Sannidhi: Marks the worship of Alangudi Namapuriswara, located along the route from Thiruvadavoor to Audaiyar Temple.

Festivals

• Chitra Poornima: Celebrated in April-May.
• Vaikasi Visakam: Celebrated in May-June.
• Aadi Pooram: Celebrated in July-August.
• Vinayaka Chaturthi: Celebrated in August-September.
• Navarathri: Celebrated in September-October.
• Maha Shivrathri: Celebrated in February-March.

Century/Period/Age

1216–1238 CE.

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Pudukkottai

Nearest Railway Station

Pudukkottai

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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