Dakshinamurty

This manifestation of Lord Shiva represents him in his aspect as an universal teacher. The idol of Dakshinamurty is found in almost all Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. The only jyotirlinga which is depicted as Dakshinamurty is at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. Most of the idols of Dakshinamurty are found as Lord Shiva seated on a deer skin throne and surrounded by munis. He is worshiped as god of wisdom. According to puranas, anyone who is unable to get a Guru can consider and worship Dakshinamurty as his guru. If they are worthy they will be blessed with a self realized guru later. Dakshinamurty literally means one who is facing south i.e. direction of death or change. In almost all Shiva temples the idol of Dakshinamurty is installed facing south on the southern pradakshina  path around the sanctum-sanctorum. Shiva’s idol as Dakshinamurty has the following iconograhic representation. Shiva is depicted as seating on deer skin throne, surrounded by sages with his right foot on the mythical Apasmara (a demon personifying ignorance) and his left foot folded on the lap. There are other representations also known as Gnyan Dakshinamurty, Yoga Dakshinamurty, Veena Dakshinamurty, Rishabharudha Dakshinamurty etc. The fifth day of the week representing planet Jupiter is also the day of Dakshinamurty hence the planet is also known as Guru and the day is known as Guruwar. Hence there is a special puja on Thursdays for Dakshinamurty in many Shiva temples. Some of the famous temples of Dakshinamurty are 

1. Mahakaleshwar of Ujjain
2. Shiva Temple of Alangudi, Tamilnadu (which is one of the Navagraha temples)
3. Mahadev temple at Ettumanoor in Kerala
4. Pragya Dakshinamurty at Theni in Western Tamilnadu
5. Thiruvotriyur near Chennai. Here Dakshinamurty idol faces the north and the place is known as Vada Gurusthalam (north place)