Guru: (Jupiter-Brihaspati) Alangudi

The Guru god temple was built during King Chola period. This shrine is regarded as a 98th in the series of devara Sthalam in the Chola region south of river Cauvery Alangudi is the place where Guru is worshipped as shri Dhakshinamurthy. God Shiva as Abath Sahayar and Goddess Parvathi known as Aelavarkuzhali are the main deities here.Jupiter God rides on Hamsa, the mythical swan. Guru means remover of darkness. Hamsa is the mythical bird that is capable of separating milk from a mixture of milk and water, accepting only the milk and rejecting water in it.

Thus the actual removal of the ignorant attraction is not by recognition alone but by proper discrimination. Guru is the presiding deity of religious inclinations and prosperity. He is also the presiding deity of married life for woman. He is described in the Puranas as Brihaspati (one who possesses sharp intelligence), the preceptor of Devas. He is often depicted in a standing posture with four hands, in one of which he holds a weapon called the    Vajraayudha. He represents the great teacher he stands for wisdom and  knowledge. Brihaspati is the teacher of gods and is praised in many rigveda.


This is regarded as a Guru Sthalam where the dhakshinamurthy great reverence. Alangudi is the place where Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison as emitted during the churning of the 'paarkadal' (Sea of milk). Hence the place is known as Alangudi, which literally mean 'the place where Lord Shiva consumed the deadly posion'. The Devas, when churning the paarkadal for nectar, were hindered by the poisonous fumes from the snake Vasuki and prayed to Lord Siva for deliverance. Lord Siva consumed the deadly poison (Ala Visham), thus giving rise to the name Alangudi to this Sthalam and the Lord was known as "Aabathsagayeshwarar" (One who defends from the danger).


The another legend that Lord siva as a ferryman(boatman) helped Sundaramurthy Swamigal cross the river (Vettaru) which was in spate, to reach this Sthalam. As the boat was overturned by hitting a rock on halfway, Lord Shiva on his rishaba vagana saved him from the illusion and helped him to reach the sthala. It is believed that Sundarar received his Gnanaupadesam after his darshanam of Dakshinamurthy at this sthala. The specialty in this temple is lord Guru is engraved on the wall and is not in the form of separate idol reunited with shiva.



Benefits of Worshipping:The person who come to visit Alangudi Guru Sthalam(Jupiter planet) they will find relief from financial problems, getting delay in child, marriage problems will be solved and also the person will get political power, and spiritual power even though those who are committed sins in previous birth there is a remedy in this temple.

Things of Worshipping:

Day : Thursday

Donation : White Channa Dhal, Yellow Cloth, Yellow Sapphire, Turmeric, Yellow Flowers, Gold, Feeding Brahmins, Yellow Plantain Fruits


Homa/Havan : Wood From Pipple Tree (Ficus religiosa)


Medicinal Bath : Honey, White / Yellow Mustard Seeds, Jasmine, Chameli


Flower : White Jasmin

Cloth : Yellow cloth

Prasatham (Food) : Soaked Channa dhal

Location:(Alangudi)The fifth Navagraha temple is the Alangudi near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu (India).