ALANGUDI SIVA- GURU TEMPLE
There are two places named Alangudi, one near PUDUKKOTTAI and another near KUMBAKONAM. Both are having Guru temples. Recently I had been to the one near Kumbakonam. About three years back I had been to the one near Pudukkottai. I thought of writing about the temple, gathering information and from my personal visit. The one near Kumbakonam I could feel older one and bigger . There is a big arch showing the way in the road, and we have to go about one KM inside to reach the temple. The day of my visit, the temple was not crowded.
1.Divine Place
Alangudi is the divine place, where Lord Guru can be propitiated in the form of Sri Dakshinamurthy. This sacred shrine of Jupiter is renowned for its tri-glories, i.e. Moorthy (The Presiding Deity), sthalam (Place of divinity) and theertham (The Holy Water). Lakhs of people throng his place, particularly on the day of Jupiter's transit to the next sign., TO SOLICIT JUPITER'S PROTECTION FROM AFFLICTIONS. Lord Jupiter's benign look (Drishti) can shower a lot of blessings from him. He is Deva guru. He is also known as BRIHASPATHI, due to his excellence in education and fine arts, possessing supreme intelligence.
2. Alangudi And Its Hoary Past:
274 Sthalams of erstwhile Chola Country have been sung in Devaram and Alangudi is one among the 127 Sthalams, situated on the southern banks of Cauvery river. Sage Sukha, Rishi Viswamithra, Sage Agastya, Adisankara and several other holy men have worshipped at this shrine. The Lord of this Sthalam is Swayumbhu (Natural origination of the idiol). Hence, the period of this temple could not be fixed accurately. The temple is existing from ancient times.
3. Temple Construction:
This temple was believed to be constructed by an ardent of Lord Shiva- 'Amuthokar', the minister of the King Masukuntha Chakravarti. He was beheaded by the Chakravarti, as he refused to give half of his Punya, (merit) to the King. On his death, the sthalam reverberated with the sound 'Amuthokar'. The King got frightened at this constant diabolic echo, realizes his mistake and worshipped the Lord Abadsahayeswarar with ardent devotion. Then, he was relieved from all Doshas.
4 Holy place
Alangudi is a tiny village in Thiruvarur Dt. of Tamil Nadu. It is 7 Kms South of Needamangalam Railway station and 17 Kms South of Kumbakonam, on the road that leads to Maanargudi. Kasi Arranyam, Thiru Erumpoolai and Alangudi are the names by which this holy place is known. The Divine poet, Thirugnanasambandar has blessed this Sthalam as beautiful place filled with flowers.
5 Sthala vruksha (The holy tree):
Poolai Shrub is the holy tree of this Sthalam and it is an object of worship here.
6 Theertham (The holy water):
Alangudi is surrounded by three holy rivers. They are Cauvery, Kolidam and Vennaru. Fifteen theerthams are around this temple, among which the Amrita Pushkarani encircling the temple is very famous. Chakra theertham is in front of the temple. It is said that this theertham, was created by Maha Vishnu's Chakra (Disc).
7 Miraculous episode:
Once a Chola Raja, who ruled over Thiruvarur, was fascinated by the idol of Sundaramurthy at Alangudi and desired to have it installed at Thiruvarur for worship. On learning this, temple priest at Alangudi become panic stricken. He disguised the idol as a child affected with chicken-pox, hid it inside a swing and brought it back safely to Alangudi. The traces of Chicken-pox can still be seen on this image. What a miracle! It reinforces our Spiritual faith in the Almighty even in this Kali yunga!
8.Ways of worship at Alangudi temple:
It is believed that only those who had obtained the blessings and punya from 14 generations could come to this temple. The Following sequential steps of the propitiatory ritual must be meticulously followed at the temple.
First Lord VINAYAKA is to be worshipped as a prelude to any deity's worship.
Then, Dwaja Ganapathy (appearing in the flag – mast ) followed by Lord ABATHSAGAYESWARAR (the main deity) and GURU DAKSHINAMURTHY have to be worshiped.
Later, the deities Somaskanda, Karthikeya, Mahalakshmi, Durga, Chandikeshwara, Navagrahas ans Festival Idol Gurumurthy, who are in the prakaras have to be worshipped.
Then, Lord Sani and Goddess Elavarkuzhali Ammai (Consory of the Main Deity) have to be worshipped.
Finally, prostration before the flag - mast is to be done, with our body touching the ground.
9 Auspicious events
Special Darshans are arranged on Thursdays and on the days of Jupiter's transit to the next Zodiac sign. Masi Maham, (i.e the day of the star makha, in the solar month of Aquaris between 12 February and 14 March) (Masi Mah Guruvara dharshan (ie) The Month of Masi 3rd Thursday). 1008 Conch Abisheka – Festival (Rethathotsavam) on the 10th day and Laksharchana during Jupiter transit days are celebrated with grandeur. Elaborate poojas performed in the evening are very famous in this temple.
10 Few tips for propitiating jupiter:
Donating yellow colored garments and chick peas (Channadal) is believed to bring happiness to his devotees.
The Divine poet, Thirugnanasambandar has blessed this Sthalam as beautiful place filled with flowers.
11. Contact address
Assistant Commissioner / Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Abathsagayeswarar Temple,
Alangudi-– 612 801,
Valangaiman Taluk, Thiruvarur Dt.
Phone : 04374 - 269407
E Mail :algguru@gmail.com
Website: www.alangudigurubaghavantemple.thrce.in
12. Annadana kattalai
Annadhana Kattalai (free mid day meals for 100 devotee on a specific day) is conducted, is Rs. 20,000.00 is deposited in the name of the temple and the same is performed from out of the interest accured on any specific day like wedding day, birthday tec., This amount has been exempted from income tax under sec.80(G)
Please send the amount by M.O or D.D. must be in favour of The Assitant Commisioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Abathsagayeswarar Temple, Alangudi payable at KumbakonamSri Aabhatsakay Eswarar –
13. Temple timings
Hours: Open today · 6:00 am – 1:00 pm, 4:00–8:45 pm
Architectural styles- Dravidian architecture
The temple has a 5-tier rajagopuram surrounded by two prakarams(closed precincts of a temple.
14 Legend
Legend is that Siva consumed deadly poison, giving rise to the name Alangudi and deity being termed Apatsahayesvarar, indicating saviour during hard times.
Navagraha-The temple is one of the nine Navagraha sthalas(Temples of Nine planets) located in the Cauvery Delta region dedicated to planet Jupiter, called Dakshinamoorthy, the Guru.
15. Offering Ghee lamps
I could see many offering ghee lamps in the front . We too joined them with prayers.
There is an earmarked location we have to perform Namaskar finally before leaving the temple . I could see the deity of Kalabhairava near Chandikeswara.
Compiler- R. Gopala Krishnan dated 27-11-2014.
( hari krishnamurthy K. HARIHARAN)"'' When people hurt you Over and Over think of them as Sand paper.They Scratch & hurt you, but in the end you are polished and they are finished. ''
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