About Guru Bagavan Temple

Sage Angirasa was the son of lord Brahma Deva. He is the seventh son of Vasudeva. Tara is the wife of Guru. Baharathwaja is the son of Guru. Temperamentally, Guru is Satvic tending towards harmony. He rides an elephant. His chariot is pulled by a golden horse. He caused the snake yaga prematurely terminated and saved Indra’s crown. He is the fifth from Sun, a very large planet coming round the Sun. He stops in each constellation for a year. On his four hands are the book and the rosary. It is ancient practice to worship Lord Dakshinamurthy as Guru. Guru is also praised as brahaspathi, Vyazhan and Mantri.

The period of Guru’s influence is 16 years. He is the lord of Sagittarius and pisces. Those who are desirous of fame, acquisition of land, reknown and excellence of word, should worship Dakshinamurthy or Guru. Donate yellow cloth, wear Gold or the gemstone pushparagam, fast on Thursdays and recite Dakshinamurthy Stotram.

Guru, when pleased, blessed one with wisdom, marriage, fruits, happiness, high-post, sons, riches, honours and a life which lacks nothing. Guru averts all doshas due to Grahas.

Thiruvalangadu

The Temple of Thiruvalangadu

The entrance temple is marked with the words ‘Alangudi Abath Sahayesar Thirukkoli’ which means ‘ the temple of the Lord of Alangudi who is the savior in times danger. The tower faces south. It is a magnificient structure of five tiers. At the point of entry past the tower is ‘Kalankamal Katha Vinayagar and Yelavar Kuzhali Ambal’. The sanctum of the Lord is to be the left. He is guarded by the Nandhi and Dwarabalagar. In the sanctum one is struck with the divine grandeur of the Linga who is aptly worshipped as Abath Sahayar.

To the south is the sanctum of Suriyan. Southward is the Sundaramoorthy Swamigal. In the southern perambulatory square are the four poet saints of Saivism,Suryear, Somesar, Grumosekarar, Somanathar,Sabtharishinathar, Vishnunathar, Birmesar with Kasi Vishwanathar and Mother Visalakshi. Sage Agasthiar is also worshipped in this shrine. Dakshinamurthy is at the southern corner. It is to this sanctum that people during transmit of Guru Throng for propitiation.

Brahaspathi is the Guru of the Devas; whereas in the other temples, the graham is worshipped in this particular shrine. Need one say anything about the efficacy of the prayers offered at Thiruvalangudi.

There are also sanctums for Lingorpavar, Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Mother Lakshmi, Kalyanasastha, Seven virgins of immaculate charity, Sabapathi with Sivakami and Manickavasagar.

In a separate sanctum Dakshinamurthy is closeted with the four ancient sages to whom he gave the silent initiation of truth.

It is a unique feature of this temple that during the transit of Guru, Dakshinamurthy is taken round the temple and a festival is organized for prayers to Guru Dakshinamurthy.

Location :Thiruvalangadu is 6 km away from Nidamangalam. It is on the route from Kumbakonam to Mannargudi.

Reigning Deity :Aabath Sagayar, Kasi Aranyesurar, yelavarkuzhuli and Umaiammai.

Holy Waters :Brahma Theertham, Amirtha Pushkarani, river Poolaivalai; the waters of the river are used to bath Lord Siva in the month as Aippasi.

Holy Tree :The dark coloured Poolai.

Temple: The temple Thiruvalangadu is an ancient one fortified with moats on all the fours side of high walls.

Uniqueness of Alangudi : It is believed that the worship of Lord Dakshinamurthy on Thursday of every week gives all wealth to the devotees. This shrine is worshipped as shrine of Guru. The Vinayagar of this temple is called ‘Kalangamal Katha Vinayagar’.

Shrine :The shrine was called Kasi Aranyam in ancient times. It is also found mentioned as Thiru Irumpoolai. Since ‘Poolai’ is the holy tree of this shrine. This is praised Grumpoolai. The Lord Siva drank the poison that issued from the ocean of milk. In memory of which the name Alangudi is given to this shrine of Lord Siva.

Hymn

Experts of Vedas, arts and sciences lord of celestials,
Apt counselor ruler of flourishing city of gold,
giver of riches, enjoyment and honour,
Lord Guru, I praised thy holy feet.