Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy Temple
Main Deity	Abath Sahayeswarar
Goddess	Yelavarkuzhali
Holy Tree	Dark Coloured Poolai
Holy Water	Amirtha Pushkarani
Color	Gold
Gem Stone	Yellow Sapphire
Season	Winter
Auspisious Day	Thursday
How to Reach	20 kms from Kumbakonam
General Information
There are shrines to Surya, Gurumoksheswarar, Somanathar, Saptarishi nathar, Someswarar, Vishnunathar and Bhrameesar, Kasi Viswanathar and Kasi Visalakshi. This is regarded as a 'Gurustalam' where Dakshinamurthy is held in great reverence, attracting huge crowds when Jupiter transits between zodiac signs. Guru Bagavan's consorts are Goddess Thara and Goddess Sangini and his 'vahanam' or vehicle is elephant. he presiding deity in this temple is Aranyeswarar, a unique form of Lord Siva. The lingam here is believed to be a 'swayambhu lingam'. His consort Umai Ammai, is also seen. There are as many as 15 holy theerthams in this temple which occupies an area of about 1.25 acres, surrounded by lofty walls.
History
There are shrines to Surya, Gurumoksheswarar, Somanathar, Saptarishi nathar, Someswarar, Vishnunathar and Bhrameesar, Kasi Viswanathar and Kasi Visalakshi. This is regarded as a 'Gurustalam' where Dakshinamurthy is held in great reverence, attracting huge crowds when Jupiter transits between zodiac signs. Guru Bagavan's consorts are Goddess Thara and Goddess Sangini and his 'vahanam' or vehicle is elephant. he presiding deity in this temple is Aranyeswarar, a unique form of Lord Siva. The lingam here is believed to be a 'swayambhu lingam'. His consort Umai Ammai, is also seen. There are as many as 15 holy theerthams in this temple which occupies an area of about 1.25 acres, surrounded by lofty walls. The temple was built by Amuthohar, Minister of Musukunda Chakravarthy who ruled Thiruvarur. The Minister was asked to share with the King the Punniya he earned by being a Siva devotee. He refused to do so and was beheaded. The King got rid of the "Dosha" he thus got by worshipping Apathsahayeswara Swamy at Alangudi.
Specialities
This shrine is regarded as the 98th temple among the 127 temples located in the Chola region on the southern bank of Cauvery. Thirugnanasambandar has sung in praise of the Lord here. Inscriptions dating back to the period of Vikrama Chola (1131), referring to Alankudi as Jananatha Saruppedimangalam, and to the Chidambaram Natarajar temple, are seen here.
Transport Facilities
Alangudi, is the midget village on the Needamangalam - Kumbakonam road in Tiruvarur district. Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy Temple is the temple of Guru Bagavan (Jupiter) which is one of the Navagraha temples. It is near Needamangalam and the temple is 7 kms away from this place. The temple for guru as Dakshinamoorthy is at Alangudi, 17 Kms from Kumbakonam and 35 Kms from Thanjavur. Alangudi is only 6 Kms from Mannargudi.
Festivals
Annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Chittirai. Also Hindu festival including Navaratri, Skanda Sashti, Aadi Puram, Arudra Darisanam, Kartikai Deepam, Thai Poosam and Pankuni Uththiram are celebrated here with much religious fervor. Guru Peyarchi, the transit of Guru (Planet Jupiter) from one zodiac sign to another, is another major festival celebrated in the temple.
Period	500 years - 1000 years