One temple for three planetary Gods

Apathsahayeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in the village of Alangudi in the Valangaiman taluk of Tiruvarur district. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Apathsahyesvarar and his consort Parvati is depicted as Elavarkuzhali in this temple. Most importantly, this temple is visited by thousands of devotees everyday to worship Lord Dhakshinamoorthy (Guru Bhagawan), as this temple is the Guru Sthalam (Jupiter) in Navagraha Sthalams.

Saint Gnanasambanthar and Saint Sambandar has praised this temple in his Thevaram hyms and this temple is listed as 98^th temple among 274 Padal Petra Sthalams. As per Hindu mythology, once upon a time Devas and Asuras tried to churn the Cosmic Ocean (Parkadal) in order to obtain Amrita - the nectar of immortal life. To churn the ocean, they used the Serpent King, Vasuki as their churning-string. For a churning pole they use Mount Mandara placed on the back of a Great Tortoise - the Kurma Avatar of Vishnu. As the gods and demons churned the sea, before Amrita a terrible poison issued out of the sea which enveloped the universe. The devas and asuras approach Shiva for help and Lord Shiva consumed the poison to save the world. Hence, Lord here is called as ‘Abath Sagayeswarar’ (Lord who helps devotees). This place also called as Alangudi (poison means Alam in tamil).

This temple is one among the Pancha Aranya Sthalams (temples of 5 great forests) as Lord Shiva appeared as Swayambu in the forest of Poolai trees. Hence, he is also known as Aranyeswarar.

One of the popular legends of the temple says that, once a Chola King, who ruled over Thiruvarur, was fascinated by the idol of Sundaramurthy at Alangudi temple 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. Surprisingly, when he unfolded the idol in the temple, he found the scars of chicken pox which can be seen on the idol even today.

Lord Dhakshinamoorthy adored as Guru Bhagawan (Teacher of Dharma and all Sasthras) has special importance in this temple as this is the Guru Sthala (Temple for the Planet Jupiter). Every year during the transit day of Jupiter (Guru Peyarchi) from one house (Zodiac sign) to another which is considered to be very auspicious, lakhs of devotes arrive to worship the Guru Bhagavan. Devotees with Guru – Jupited related issues in horoscope comes to offer worship in this temple from all over the world. Thursdays in the month of Masi (February - March) are considered very auspicious to worship Lord Guru in this temple.

Those who afflicted with the Snake Planets (Rahu and Kedhu) pray to Lord Vinayaka in this temple for the removal of obstacles in marriage and to achieve in academic field. Vinayakar in this temple is also called “Kalangamal Katha Vinayagar”, as it is believed that he protected Saint Sundarar from boat capsize in River Cauveri, while he was on the way to worship in Alangudi.