Apatsahayesvarar Temple, in Alangudi in Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Shiva, worshipped as Apatsahayesvarar (also called Aranyeswarar), a Swayambu Lingam, with consort Elavarkuzhali (Umai Ammai). The temple also enshrines Dakshinamoorthy, associated with Guru (Jupiter), the Navagraha this temple represents. It is also known as Alangudi Guru Temple, Guru Sthalam, Tiru Irum Poolai.
Alangudi is the Navagraha Sthalam for Guru (Jupiter, also called Brihaspati) among the nine planetary shrines of the circuit centered on Kumbakonam. The presiding deity is linked here to Dakshinamoorthy, and worship is believed to strengthen the wisdom, knowledge, teaching ability and spiritual grace traditionally associated with Jupiter. The temple's Guru Peyarchi festival, marking Jupiter's transit between zodiac signs, draws especially large crowds from across Tamil Nadu. Legend attributes the temple's founding to Amudhokar, a devout minister said to have served under a king named Masukuntha Chakravarti.
Tamil Nadu carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of towering gopurams and living Dravidian temple traditions, from the Chola masterpieces to the great Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
| Evening | 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
Some sources give the evening closing time as late as 8:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Six daily poojas are performed, beginning with Kalasanthi around 6:00 AM.
Poojas and daily rituals
Six daily rituals: Kalasanthi, a second morning kalam, Uchikalam, Sayarakshai, a second evening kalam, and Arthajamam, each including abhisheka, alangaram, naivedhyam and deepa aradhanai. Archana, Sahasranamam Archana, Pal Abishekam and Paripurana Abishekam are also offered.
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmotsavam | Tamil month of Chittirai, April to May | The temple's principal annual festival, during which the festival image of the deity is taken in procession around the streets of Alangudi. |
| Guru Peyarchi | Whenever Jupiter transits from one zodiac sign to another | Marks Jupiter's zodiac transit and is considered especially significant since this is Guru's own shrine; includes a 1008 Conch Abhisheka festival. |
| Navaratri | September to October |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style; a five-tier rajagopuram over a roughly two-acre complex enclosed by two prakarams
History
Legend attributes the temple's founding to Amudhokar, a devout minister said to have served under a king named Masukuntha Chakravarti. The original complex was built under the Cholas, and the present masonry structure was renovated during the 16th-century Nayak period. It is classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 275 Shiva temples venerated in the Tevaram, with ten verses each in its honor by Tirugnana Sambandar and Appar.
Planning your visit
How to reach
About 7 km south of Needamangalam railway station and roughly 16 to 18 km from Kumbakonam, which is well connected by road and rail to Chennai, Trichy and Thanjavur.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. History and Navagraha role are well corroborated across Wikipedia and multiple temple-information sites; exact evening closing time and special darshan fee vary between sources and are not confirmed officially