Tiruvirumpoolai temple is regarded as a `Gurustalam` where Dakshinamurthy is held in great reverence. The festival image of Dakshinamurthy and this stalam is considered to be one of the nine Navagraha stalams of the Chola region. This shrine is the 98th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola Region south of the river Kaveri.

Legends: Dakshinamurthy preached to the gods who fell unconscious under the impact of poison that came out after churning the ocean. Parvati was reborn on the banks of Amrita Pushkarini and later reunited with Shiva. Viswamitra is believed to have worshipped Shiva here.

Temple: There are 15 theerthams in this temple occupying an area of about 1.25 acres, surrounded by lofty walls. One theerthams is located inside the temple and is called Jnana koopam. East of the temple is the Poolaivala river, its waters are used in abhishekam. Inscriptions date back to Vikrama Chola (1131), referring to Alankudi as Jananatha saruppedimangalam. There are shrines dedicated to Surya, Gurumoksheswarar, Somanathar, Saptarishi nathar, Someswarar, Vishnunathar and Bhrameesar, Kaasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi.

Festivals: The annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai. In addition, Navaratri, Skanda Sashti, Aadi Puram, Arudra Darisanam, Kartikai Deepam, Thai Poosam and Pankuni Uththiram are celebrated here.