Alangudi is a tiny village located on the
Nidamangalam-
Kumbakonam Road, in
Tiruvarur District of
Tamil Nadu. It is about 8 km from
Valangaiman and 17 km south of
Kumbakonam on the way to
Mannargudi.
Alangudi is famous for the Aabathasagawara Temple or Guru Temple, dedicated to Sri Aabathsagayeswara. This temple is held sacred to Brahaspathi (Lord Guru) and is known as a Guru Sthalam. Guru Peyarchi is a major festival celebrated at the temple which is attended by thousands of devotees from far and near.
Legend has it that Alangudi is the place where Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison as emitted during the churning of the 'paarkadal'. Hence the place is known as Alangudi, which literally mean ‘the place where Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison’.
Nidamangalam Railway Station, on the Thanjavur-Tiruvarur rail route, is the nearest railhead.