About trip

About Temple:Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi or Guru Sthalam or Tiru Irum Poolai is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the village of Alangudi in the Valangaiman taluk of Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Apathsahyesvarar, and is represented by the lingam.

• Moolavar : Aabathsahayeswarar, Kasi Aaranyeswarar
• Urchavar : Dakshinamurthy
• Amman / Thayar : Elavarkuzhali
• Thala Virutcham : A plant called Poolai
• Theertham : Amirtha Pushkarani and others
• Old year : 1000-2000 years old
• Historical Name : Irumpoolai
• Location : Alangudi,Tiruvarur,Tamil Nadu.

History:

• 276 Sthalams of erstwhile Chola Country have been sung in Devaram and Alangudi is one among the 127 Sthalams, situated on the southern banks of Cauvery river. 
• Sage Sukha, Rishi Viswamithra, Sage Agastya, Adisankara and several other hoy men have worshipped at this shrine. 
• The Lord of this Sthalam is Swayumbhu (Natural origination of the idiol). Hence, the period of this temple could not be fixed accurately. The temple is existing from ancient times.
• This temple was believed to be constructed by an ardent of Lord Shiva. ‘Amuthokar’, the minister of the King Masukuntha Chakravarti. 
• He was beheaded by the Chakravarti, as he refused to give half of his Punya, (merit) to the King. On his death, the sthalam reverberated with the sound ‘Amuthokar’. 
• The King got frightened at this constant diabolic echo, realizes his mistake and worshipped the Lord Abadsahayeswarar with ardent devotion. Then, he was relieved from all Doshas.
• Alangudi is surrounded by three holy rivers. They are Cauvery, Kolidam and Vennaru. Fifteen theerthams are around this temple, among which the Amrita Pushkarani encircling the temple is very famous. 
• Chakra theertham is in front of the temple. It is said that this theertham, was created by Maha Vishnu’s Chakra (Disc).
• Once a Chola Raja, who ruled over Thiruvarur, was fascinated by the idol of Sundaramurthy at Alangudi 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. 
• The traces of Chicken-pox can still be seen on this image. What a miracle! It reinforces our Spiritual faith in the Almighty even in this Kali yunga!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Thiruvarur Sightseeing

Pick up from Theni/Dindigul. Proceeding towards Thiruvarur Hotel Check in. Then proceed to visit Veerataneswarar Temple, Thiruvirkudi, Arulmigu Abathsahyeswarar Temple. Arulmigu Saraswathi Temple. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 2 - Thiruvarur Sightseeing

After Refreshment and Breakfast at Hotel. Check out from Hotel. Then proceed to visit Thiru Pampunathar Rahu Kethu Sri Agnieeswarar Temple sri Seshapureeswarar Temple. Then Starting Our Journey Towards Theni/Dindigul.