Alangudi Sri Apatsahayesvarar (Guru Navagrahastalam) Temple(Venus)- Thiruvarur

Address

Alangudi Sri Apatsahayesvarar , Thiruirumbulai (Alangudi) Valangaiman Circle Thiruvarur District PIN – 612801 Tel: 04374 269407

Diety

Apatsahayesvarar, Amman: Elavarkuzhali

Introduction

Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi or Guru Sthalam or Tiru Irum Poolai is dedicated to Shiva located in the village of Alangudi in the Valangaiman taluk of Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Apathsahyesvarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Elavarkuzhali. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple complex covers two acres and it houses a five tier gateway tower known as gopurams, one facing the Apathsaheswarar shrine and other towards North. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Apathsaheswarar and his consort Elavarkuzhali being the most prominent. Thala Virutcham : A plant called Poolai Theertham : Amirtha Pushkarani.

Puranic Significance

From the stone inscriptions found inside this temple, it can be seen that the earlier Chola kings Aditya Chola and Rajaraja Chola made a lot of contributions to this temple. Swetharanyeswarar is the main God in this temple. It is said that Agora Murthi was one of the furious incarnation of Shiva. There was a demon named Maruthuvasuran in Thiruvengadu. He performed penance to please Brahma for attaining special powers. Pleased by his devotion, Brahma offered him special powers. Maruthuvasuran started misusing his powers to torture the saints and innocent people. All the suffering saints and people requested Shiva to put an end to their hardship. Shiva took an incarnation as Agoramurthi and killed Maruthuvasuran under a tree which is believed to be the place where Thiruvengadu temple is located. The place is called by other names like Swetaranyam, Adi Chidambaram and Nava Ntirya Stala. Indra, Airavata, Budha, Surya and Chandra are said to have worshipped Swetharanyeswarar here. As per another legend, Achyutha Kalappalar, a local chieftain was childless. His guru Sivacharya analyzed his horoscope and read out an ancient palm leaf manuscript. It had the verse of Sambandar, one of the major Saivite saints Nayanars. Chieftain was advised to pray at Venkadu to be blessed with a progeny. He prayed at the place along with his wife and was blessed with a boy. The boy later went on to write Sivagnana Bodham. As per Hindu legend, Budhan, was the child of Chandra and Dharai (Tara). Dharai was originally the wife of Guru, but had an illicit relationship with Chandran. Dharai was directed by Shiva and Brahma to back to his husband Guru and she entrusted the child to Chandra. Budha grew up to learn his background and started hating his father Chandra. He did severe penance praying Shiva. Pleased by his devotion, Shiva blessed him to be a Navagraha. Brahma was blessed with divine power of learning (Vidya) by goddess Parvathi in the temple. Pillai Idikki Amman, an idol depicted hold a child on her hip is believed to be the depiction of Parvathi holding the child Sambandar when the latter called her Amma.

Beliefs

Those afflicted with snake planet aspects, suffering from some fear and confusion pray to Lord Vinayaka and for removal of obstacles in marriage talks, for achieving excellence in academic field

Special Features

The temple has a 5-tier rajagopuram surrounded by two prakarams (closed precincts of a temple). Presiding deity Aabathsahayeswarar is a Swayambulinga Murthy in the temple. Lord Dakshinamurthy adored as Guru Baghwan (teacher of Dharma and Yoga sastras) has special importance in the temple and therefore, the place is regarded as Dakshinamurthy Sthala – the holy place. Sage Viswamitra, emperor Mushukunda and Veerabadra had woshipped in this place. Mother Parvathi performed penance here to have Shiva as Her Lord. Scars of measles are found in the idol of Saint Sudarar.

Festivals

Transit day of planet Jupiter from one zodiac sign to the next with special pujas, Poornima day (Full moon day) in the month of Chithirai (April-May), Thai poosam in January-February, Panguni Uthiram in March-April and Car festival for Lord Dakshinamurthy are the festivals celebrated in the temple