Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi –Guru(Jupiter)
Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi or Guru Sthalam is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the village of Alangudi. Shiva is worshipped as Apathsahyesvarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Tribuvananayagi.
The temple complex covers two acres and it houses two gateway tower’s 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.
The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas during the 10th Century, while the present masonry structure was built by the Nayak’s of Madurai during the 16th century.
The temple has a 5-tier rajagopuram surrounded by two prakarams(closed precincts of a temple).Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison Halahala, giving rise to the name of the place Alangudi and the deity being Apatsahayesvarar,(saviour during hard times).There are sixteen water bodies associated with the temple.
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.
He is also known as Brihaspathi, due to his excellence in education and fine arts, possessing supreme intelligence. .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.
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