Vada Gurushthalam, Dhakshinamoorthy temple is situated in Tiruvottriyur North madras of Tamilnadu. The deity faces the north direction. The 10 feet deity’s face is full of grace, wearing a digit of the moon with lotus like hands shining with the symbol of wisdom. Near his feet four sages Sanakar, Sananthanar, Sanathanar Sanathkumarar are sitting. The rabbits of arrogance are put under his feet. The stone acts like an umbrella above his head which is a rare phenomenon. Near Dhakshinamoorthy, there are 6 feet Panchamuga Vinayagar sitting in a Simha vahana s for the Rig veda’s version. Veda Vyasar who compiled Vedas are also there.

Thiagaraja Temple in Tiruvottriyur is admired by Thirugnana Sambandr, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundharar thoe who mention of Veda Padasalas which chanted veda in the temple. Three hundred years back Vedic Scholar Yogeswarar made this temple as a ‘Madalayam’ to teach Vedas.

Vadivudaiamman (Thirupurasundari) is a symbol of wisdom and energy faces south direction. Dhakshinamoorthy only to preach wisdom to vadivudaiamman chooses the north direction. Generally south facing Dhakshinamoorthy will be an incarnation of wisdom and knowledge. North facing siva will be a ‘Samhara Moorthy’ only. But in Thiruvottriyur only north facing Dhakshinamoorthy is ‘Santha Moorthy’. He is an incarnation of wisdom. His ‘Chinmudra’ reveals the philosophy of ‘THATHUVAMASI’ and he preaches the same to us.

Agasthiyar’s ‘Dhakshinamoorthy Panchagam’, Adishankara’s ‘Dhakshinamoorthy Ashtagam’ and Sistram ‘Virashaba Deva’s ‘Dhakshinamoorthy Sthothram’ are the well known Hyms in Sanskrit Literature.

In Tamil Nadu people worshipped Dhakshinamoorthy even before 2500 years. Sangam Literature refers Dhakshinamoorthy as ‘Alamara Kadavul’. Purananooru, Kalithogai, Thirumurugatrupadai, Silappathikaram, Manimekalai mentions Dhakshinamoorthy as ‘Alamar Selvar’.

The four sons of Brahma born of his mind – MANASA PUTRAS – declined to continue the line of creation. Intent on returning to the source they found themselves in the presence of Siva as Jhana – Dhakshinamoorthy in a blissful inner state of “Knowledge by identity”. The thin veil over their eyes dropped as they along with other sagas, grazed at the luminous silence.

Only with the blessing of Guru alone, we can get blessing of God. “Gurupeyarchi” is a day which falls every day for the Lord Dhakshinamoorthy and on this day, thousands of devotees worship Dhakshinamoorthy and get his Blessings. Let us get the bliss by worshipping Lord Dhakshinamoorthy.

Gowdeeswarar is represented as performing penance at his Sannithi. The Adi Saivites from Gowda region of the Himalayas incepted this idol of Gowdeeswarar. In fact, one could hear these Adi Saivites incessantly chant the Omkara in the past.

The Dhakshinamoorthi shrine in this temple is different. Not only is it large, but also he is facing north. Traditionally, Dhakshinamoorthi faces the South as he clarifies the doubts of the Sanakathi sages. Legends say that since he is facing the north, he is powerful and blesses devotees with knowledge as well as wealth.