He is one of the planets with the most benevolent energies because of his masculine power. Lord Dhakshinamoorthy is in charge of Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system and the fifth from the Sun. The zodiac signs Sagittarius and Pisces are ruled by Jupiter, as are Punarvasu, Vishakha, and Purvabhadra.
Jupiter is known as Guru, Brihaspati, Devaguru, Viyazhan, Mannan, and Gnani. Jupiter, the vast planet, is associated with character, seriousness, meditation, prayer, success, honor, and fortune. It is also associated with karma from previous births, divine favor, fame, religious thought, wealth, good character, honesty, justice, and health. Jupiter represents wealth and children, the lower abdomen, ears, blood circulation, hip, and liver, among others.
A ten thousand-year penance was performed by Jupiter by consecrating Lord Shiva’s idol, the Lingam, in Benares. Lord Shiva appeared before Jupiter and announced that Jupiter would be referred to as JEEVAN and held the position of Guru for the Devas.
Alangudi, a town in the southern region of Tamilnadu, holds great significance as Jupiter’s primary power center. The Apatsahayesvarar Temple, also called Tiru Irum Poolai, is the Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in this village. It is situated in the Valangaiman taluk of Tiruvarur district in Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity here is a lingam that represents Shiva, worshipped as Apathsahyesvarar. His wife Parvati, known as Elavarkuzhali, is depicted alongside him in the Tevaram, an important Tamil Saiva text written by revered poets known as the Nayanmars. This temple holds a special place as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams (sacred shrines) and is praised for its sanctity by devotees.
There are five-tiered gateway towers in the temple complex, one facing the Apathsaheswarar shrine and the other facing north. Several shrines are dedicated to Elavarkuzhali and Apathsaheswarar.
According to legend, Siva ingested lethal poison, which gave rise to the name “Alangudi” and gave the deity the name “Apatsahayesvarar,” which means “savior” in difficult times. Another name for the presiding deity is Aranyeswarar. Sixteen waterbodies surround the temple.
