Apatsahayesvarar Temple – Guru Sthalam

🛕 Lord Shiva | 📍 Alangudi, Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu

Temple Tags: Ancient Temple Chola Temple Navagraha Temple Nayanmar Temple Paadal Petra Sthalam Sambandar Temple Tevaram Temple

✔ Verified by Mandirvaas

📍 Open in Maps

⏰ Darshan

Morning: 06:00 AM – 01:00 PM
Evening: 04:00 PM – 09:00 PM

📅 Best Time to Visit

October to March is generally comfortable for travel.

📸 Photography

Not Allowed

🔱 Temple Significance

Apatsahayesvarar Temple at Alangudi is traditionally recognised as the Guru Sthalam, the Navagraha temple associated with Guru (Jupiter). Lord Shiva is worshipped as Apatsahayesvarar and Goddess Parvati as Elavarkuzhali. The temple is also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams praised in the Tevaram hymns.

🏛 Temple History

The temple is an ancient Shaiva shrine whose original complex is traditionally associated with the Chola period. The present masonry structure contains later additions attributed to the Nayak period. The temple is situated in Alangudi and is traditionally identified with the ancient sacred site of Tiru Erumpoolai.

According to the traditional legend, Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison that emerged during the churning of the ocean and protected the living beings. Because Shiva is believed to have protected devotees from danger, he is worshipped here as Apatsahayesvarar, meaning the one who comes to the aid of devotees in times of distress.

The temple is also one of the Pancha Aranya Sthalams, representing the Poolai forest.

🪔

Daily Poojas

Regular temple worship schedule

🪔

No daily poojas available.

🔱

Special Rituals

Sacred offerings and temple rituals

🕉️

No special rituals available currently.

🎉 Temple Festivals

No festivals available.

🔔 Darshan Timings & Rules

👕

Dress Code

Traditional and modest clothing is recommended.

📸

Photography

Not allowed

🍚

Prasad

Not available

ℹ️

Prasad Details

Temple prasadam is available according to temple arrangements.

🧭 Pilgrim Travel Tips

Alangudi is traditionally regarded as the Guru Sthalam of the Navagraha pilgrimage.
Devotees commonly visit the temple for Guru Bhagavan worship and traditional parihara practices.
Thursday is traditionally considered an important day for Guru worship.
The temple is approximately 17 km from Kumbakonam.
The temple is approximately 7 km from Needamangalam Railway Station.
Thursdays and special Guru-related occasions can attract larger crowds.
The temple provides Annadhanam for devotees; the HR&CE site states that daily Annadhanam is provided to devotees, with increased arrangements on Thursdays.