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{{Short description|Navagraha temple in Tamil Nadu}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Abathsagayeswarar Temple
| image = Aalangudi Temple.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|10|22|N|78|58|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = {{Flag|India}}
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Tiruvarur]]
| location = Alangudi
| elevation_m =
| deity = Abathsagewarar ([[Shiva]]), [[Dakshinamoorthy]] ([[Guru]] or [[Jupiter]])
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
}}

'''Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi''' or '''Guru Sthalam''' or '''Tiru Irum Poolai'''<ref>''http://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0157.pdf''. P52</ref> is a [[Hindu]] temple dedicated to [[Shiva]] located in the village of Alangudi in the [[Valangaiman taluk]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tnmaps.tn.nic.in/vill.php?dcode=20&centcode=0001&tlkname=Valangaiman#MAP |title=Archived copy |access-date=25 January 2012 |archive-date=16 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416215257/http://tnmaps.tn.nic.in/vill.php?dcode=20&centcode=0001&tlkname=Valangaiman#MAP |url-status=dead }}</ref> of [[Tiruvarur district]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. Shiva is worshipped as Apathsahyesvarar, and is represented by the ''[[lingam]]''. His consort [[Parvati]] is depicted as Elavarkuzhali. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the ''[[Tevaram]]'', written by Tamil saint poets known as the [[Nayanmars]] and classified as ''[[Paadal Petra Sthalam]]''.

The temple complex covers two acres and it houses a five tier gateway tower 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 temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. The Brahmotsavam festival celebrated during Chittirai (April–May) is the most prominent festival.

The original complex is believed to have been built by [[Cholas]], while the present masonry structure was built during the [[Madurai Nayak|Nayak]] during the 16th century. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].

==Architecture==
The temple has a 5-tier ''raja[[gopuram]]'' surrounded by two ''[[prakarams]]'' (closed precincts of a temple). The temple is located in Alangudi, a village located {{convert|16|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Kumbakonam]] and {{convert|56|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Thanjavur]] on the Thanjavur - Thiruvarur road.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Top Ten Temple Towns of India|publisher=Mark Age Publication|first=S.C.|last=Karkar|location=Kolkota|isbn=978-81-87952-12-1|year=2009|page=80}}</ref>

==Legend==
Legend is that [[Shiva|Siva]] consumed deadly poison, giving rise to the name Alangudi and deity being termed Apatsahayesvarar, indicating saviour during hard times. The other names of the presiding deity are Aranyeswarar. There are sixteen waterbodies associated with the temple.<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=32}}</ref>

Pancha Aranya Sthalams: Aranyam means forest and the following five temples at different forests Thanjavur / Kumbakonam / Thiruvarur region are revered as "Pancha Aranya Sthalams".
* 1. Sri Mullaivananathar Temple at Tirukkarugavur – Mullai vanam [SCN018]
* 2. Sri Satchi Nathar Temple at Avalivanallur – Paadhiri vanam [SCN100]
* 3. Sri Paathaaleswarar Temple at Thiru Aradaipperumpazhi (Haridwara mangalam) – Vanni vanam [SCN099]
* 4. Sri Aapathsahayeswarar Temple at Thiru Erumpoolai (Alangudi) – Poolai vanam [SCN098]
* 5. Sri Vilvavaneswarar Temple at Thirukoovilam Pudhur (Thirukalambur) – Vilva vanam [SCN113]

==Navagraha==
The temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu and is a part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage in the state - it houses the image of Guru (Jupiter).<ref>{{cite book|title=Jothirlingam: The Indian Temple Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CE55CgAAQBAJ&q=thiruvenkadu|page=92|publisher=Partridge Publishing|author=Suriya|year=2015|isbn=9781482847864}}</ref><ref name="TN">{{cite web|title=Navagraha temples |url=http://www.thanjavur.tn.nic.in/navagrahas_m.html |publisher=Thanjavur District Administration |access-date=2013-07-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112023302/http://www.thanjavur.tn.nic.in/navagrahas_m.html |archive-date=2013-11-12 }}</ref> The planets are believed to influence the horoscope computed based on time of one's birth and subsequently influence the course of life. Each of the planets are believed to move from a star to another during a predefined period and thus sway over an individual's fortunes. The Navagrahas, as per Hindu customs, are believed to provide both good and bad effects for any individual and the bad effects are mitigated by prayers. As in other Navagraha temples, the common worship practises of the devotees include offering of cloth, grains, flowers and jewels specific to the planet deity. Lighting a set of lamps is also commonly followed in the temple.<ref name=A>{{cite book|title=Temples of South India|last=Anantharaman|first=Ambjuam|publisher=East West|edition=second|year=2006|isbn=978-81-88661-42-8|pages=43–47}}</ref> As per contemporary Saivite belief, the energies distributed cyclically by Navagrahas can be channeled based on remedial measures. As per local legends, Shiva, the overlord of the nine planetary deities, allowed them to freely grant wishes based on devotion of the devotees.<ref>{{cite book|title=Astrology in Time and Place|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|year=2015|isbn=978-1-4438-8381-8|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wtX6DAAAQBAJ&q=navagraha+temples+in+tamilnadu+map&pg=PA70|chapter=Astrology and its ritual applications|last=Friscia|first=Mario|editor1-last=Campion|editor1-first=Nicholas |editor2-last=Greenbaum|editor2-first=Dorian Gieseler |page=70}}</ref>

==Festivals==
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The temple priests perform the ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; ''Kalasanthi'' at 6:00 a.m., ''Irandam Kalm'' at 9:00 a.m., ''Uchikalam'' at 12:00 a.m., ''Sayarakshai'' at 6:00 p.m, ''Irandam Kalm'' at 7:30 p.m., and ''Arthajamam'' at 9:00 p.m.. Each ritual comprises four steps: ''[[abhisheka]]'' (sacred bath), ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''[[Naivedhya|naivethanam]]'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for Apatsahayesvarar and Elavarkuzhali. There are weekly rituals like ''{{lang|te-Latn|somavaram}}'' (Monday) and ''{{lang|te-Latn|sukravaram}}'' (Friday), fortnightly rituals like ''[[pradosha]]m'', and monthly festivals like ''[[amavasya|amavasai]]'' (new moon day), ''kiruthigai'', ''[[pournami (festival)|pournami]]'' (full moon day) and ''sathurthi''. Other festivals include [[Vinayaka Chaturthi]], Aadi Pooram, [[Navaratri]], Aippasi Pournami, Skanda Sashti, [[Kartikai Deepam]], Arudra Darisanam, [[Thaipusam]], Maasi Magam, Panguni Uththiram and Vaikasi Visakam. The major festival of the temple is the Brahmotsavam celebrated during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of ''Chittirai'' (April–June), when special worship practises are followed and the festival image of the deity is taken around the streets of Alangudi.<ref name=dinamalar>{{cite web|title=Sri Apatsahaeswarar temple|url=http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/New_en.php?id=927|publisher=[[Dinamalar]]|year=2014|access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref>

==Religious significance==
[[File:Alangudi8.JPG|250x200px|left|thumb|The Northern temple tower]]
[[File:Alangudiabadsahesvarartemple.jpg|250x200px|left|thumb|Front mandapa]]
{| style="clear:right; float:right; background:#ffffff; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em;" class="toccolours" width="220" font-size : "90%"
|-
!style="background:#A8BDEC;text-align:center;" colspan="3"|[[File:Hinduism symbol.png|25px|Om symbol|left]] '''Sapthavigraha Moorthis''' [[File:Hinduism symbol.png|25px|Om symbol|right]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="3" | ''Saptha Vigraha moorthis'' are the seven prime consorts in all [[Shiva]] temples located at seven cardinal points around the temple
|-
|style="text-align:center;background:#A8BDEC"|'''Deity'''||style="text-align:center;background:#A8BDEC"|'''Temple'''||style="text-align:center;background:#A8BDEC"| '''Location'''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |Shiva || [[Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur|Mahalingaswamy temple]] || [[Tiruvidaimarudur]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Vinayaga]] || [[Thiruvalanjuli Kabardeeshwarar Temple (Vellai Vinayagar Temple)|Vellai Vinayagar Temple]] || [[Thiruvalanchuzhi]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Murugan]] || [[Swamimalai Murugan temple]] || [[Swamimalai]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Nataraja]] || [[Chidambaram Nataraja Temple|Natarajar temple]] || [[Chidambaram]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Durga]]|| [[Thenupuriswarar Temple]] || [[Patteswaram]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Dakshinamurthy|Guru]]|| Apatsahayesvarar Temple || Alangudi
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Navagraha]]|| [[Suryanar Kovil]] || [[Suryanar Kovil]]
|-
|}

The temple is counted as one of the [[Navagraha temples#Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu|Navagraha Temples]] for planet [[Guru]] (Jupiter).<ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu spirituality: Postclassical and modern|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UUWIEfAY-mMC&q=tirunageswaram&pg=PA425|last1=K.R.|first1=Sundararajan|last2=Mukerji|first2=Bithika|page=425|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|year=2003|isbn=9788120819375}}</ref> [[Campantar|Tirugnana Sambandar]], a 7th-century Tamil ''Saivite'' poet, venerated Apathsaheswarar in ten verses in ''[[Tevaram]]'', compiled as the ''[[Tirumurai|First Tirumurai]]''. [[Appar]], a contemporary of Sambandar, also venerated Annamalaiyar in 10 verses in ''Tevaram'', compiled as the ''Fifth Tirumurai''. As the temple is revered in ''Tevaram'', it is classified as ''[[Paadal Petra Sthalam]]'', one of the 275 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. The temple is one of the most visited temples in the district.<ref name="TN"/>

According to a Hindu legend, [[Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur|Mahalingaswamy at Thiruvidaimarudur]] is the centre of all Shiva temples in the region and the ''Saptha Vigraha moorthis'' (seven prime consorts in all [[Shiva]] temples) are located at seven cardinal points around the temple, located in various parts of the state.<ref name="tourist">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nGxbJqdEQrwC&q=thiruvidaimarudur&pg=PA71|last=Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu |title=Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu|year=2007|publisher=T. Krishna Press |location=Chennai |isbn=978-81-7478-177-2|ref=tourist|page=53}}</ref><ref name=Om34>{{cite journal|title=Jyothirmaya Mahalingam|last=Narayanaswami|journal=Om Sakthi|language=ta|publisher=Om Sakthi Publications|date=April 1987|location=Coimbatore|ref=Om|pages=34–5}}</ref> The seven deities are [[Nataraja]] in [[Chidambaram Nataraja Temple]] at [[Chidambaram]], [[Satyagireeswarar Temple, Senganur|Chandikeswarar temple at Tirucheingalur]], [[Vinayagar]] in [[Thiruvalanjuli Kabardeeshwarar Temple (Vellai Vinayagar Temple)|Vellai Vinayagar Temple]] at [[Thiruvalanchuzhi]], [[Muruga]] in [[Swamimalai Murugan Temple]] at [[Swamimalai]], [[Bhairava]] in [[Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi|Sattainathar Temple]] at [[Sirkali]], [[Navagraha]] in [[Suryanar Kovil|Sooriyanar Temple]] at [[Suryanar Kovil]] and Dakshinamoorthy in Apatsahayesvarar Temple at [[Alangudi, Tiruvarur]].<ref name=Om34/>

== Sources ==
* {{cite book|title=Yatra2Yatra|author=Sanjay Singh|publisher=Yatra2Yatra|page=251|year=2009}}
* {{cite book|title=Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu|year=2010|publisher=Sura Books|pages=85–86|isbn=978-81-7478-177-2}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi}}
* [http://wikimapia.org/#lat=10.8300683&lon=79.4107541&z=19&l=0&m=b Location in Wikimapia]

{{Navagraha}}

[[Category:Shiva temples in Tiruvarur district]]
[[Category:Padal Petra Stalam]]
[[Category:Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu]]

Apatsahayesvarar Temple Alangudi - Revision history

UpdateBot at 22:25, 24 June 2022