Dakshinamurthy

Dakshinamurthy is one of the well known iconic representaions of Shiva, some of the others being Nataraja, Somaskanda, Chandrasekhara etc.

The south facing niche (goshtam) of all Saivite sancta is adorned with an image of Dakshinamurthy, to whom worship is offered. Many of the Saivite temple towers also depict images of Dakshinamurthy facing the southern direction.


The fifth day of the week, Thursday is associated with the planet Jupiter and is referred to as Guru-Vaaram. It is on thursdays that special worship services are offered to Dakshinamurthy in many Saivite temples. Some temple traditions hold full moon nights, particularly the night of the Guru Poornima as the appropriate time for worship services to Dakshinamurthy.