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The glory of the Lord of the temple is praised by Saint Gnana Sambandar in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 23rd Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

Mother Durga in the temple is praised as Vishnu Durga, Durga Lakshmi, Nava Shakti Nayaki, Navaratna Nayaki, Navayoga Nayaki, Navagraha Nayaki and Navarathri Nayaki.

Mother Durga in the temple earlier was the custodian and advisor deity of the Chola kings for about a century including great Raja Raja Chola. She was in the northern side of the palace in Patteeswaram. Lord Bhairava, Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga were also in this palace shrine. Either marching on a war or taking any important decision, they prayed to Mother Durga and sought Her permission and approval. When their rule came to an end, Mother Durga is placed in this temple.

Mother Durga in the temple is not furious in look as usually seen in many temples. She is all smile, merciful sitting on Her Lion vahan turning on the left side against the traditional right facing, with Her 8 hands, three eyes and hanging ear rings (Kundalam in Tamil) and other jewels.

Child Tirugnana Sambandar came to Patteeswaram on a scorching summer day after worshipping Lord in Tiruchatimuttram temple. To protect him from the Sun, Lord sent a cool pearl tent (Muthu Chivigai in Tamil) through His Bhooda Ganas. Moved by the grace of Lord, the saint was happy to worship Lord conveniently.  It is noteworthy, that Lord also asked Nandhi to move aside to see his saint devotee coming to Him. The Little Saint placed his pathigam-a set of 10 versus beginning with the line Paadal Marai to his Lord. This event is very devotionally celebrated in Aani month (June-July) in the temple each year.

Daughter of divine cow Kamadenu Patti worshipped Lord here, hence the name Patteeswaram for the place. An evil effect called Sayahati Dosha left Lord Sri Rama in this temple. Mother Parasakthi performed penance on Lord here. A Brahmin named Dharma Sharma was relieved of his Dog curse spelt by Sage Medhavi as a drop of the Gnanavavi theertha fell on him in this temple.

The temple architecture of the temple belongs to Naicker period and has many paintings of Marathi beauty. This is a very ancient temple in this region. Mother Parasakthi chose this place for Her penance on Lord Shiva.  Devas came here in the form of trees and plants to make the environment green and beautiful. 

Divine Cow Kamadenu deputed Her daughter Patti to help Mother in her Shiva Puja and penance. Pleased with Mother?s penance, Lord Shiva appeared there with His hair bunch Sadai Mudi and thus assumed the name Kabartheeswarar.

Knowing the sacredness of the place and observing the Shiva puja by Mother Parasakthi-Parvathi, Patti too made a Shivalinga of sand and performed penance here as per rules. It took water from the sacred Gnanavavi theertha for abishek. All merciful Lord Shiva approved Pattis sand Linga and merged in the same and made it all sacred. As the Patti calf worshipped here, the place is called Patteeswaram and Lord Patteeswarar  is Thenupureeswarar in Sanskrit.

The place derives its name Patteeswaram from the worship of a Patti Kandru cow calf that made a sand Shivalainga and worshipped here. Lord is Patteeswarar. Lord asked Nandhi to move to enable Him to see Sambandar coming to the shrine with the Muthu Pandal. Mother Durga appears soft looking on Her Lion vahan, Her feet on demon Mahisha holding conch, discus, bow, arrow, sword, armour and a parrot. It is also said that Sage Vishwamitra succeeded in this place only attaining the full power of Gayatri Mahamantra, according to some sources. Sage Markandeya had worshipped Lord Patteeswarar in this temple.  
Moolavar: Patteeswarar       

Amman / Thayar: Palvalai Nayaki

Thala Virutcham: Vanni

Theertham: Gnana Vavi       

Old year:
1000-2000 years old

Historical Name:
Mazhapadi

Pateeswaram, near kumbakonam is famous for its Durga temple. This temple is fairly big and well maintained one. There are five majestic gopurams. The temple seems to have built and rebuilt several times with additions made to the original temple at various times. The evidence of this is in the temples architecture.

The place derives its name Patteeswaram from the worship of a Patti Kandru cow calf that made a sand Shivalainga and worshipped here. Lord is Patteeswarar. Lord asked Nandhi to move to enable Him to see Sambandar coming to the shrine with the Muthu Pandal. Mother Durga appears soft looking on Her Lion vahan, Her feet on demon Mahisha holding conch, discus, bow, arrow, sword, armour and a parrot. It is also said that Sage Vishwamitra succeeded in this place only attaining the full power of Gayatri Mahamantra, according to some sources. Sage Markandeya had worshipped Lord Patteeswarar in this temple.

It is asserted that everyday, during Rakukal, Lord Raku comes to worship Durga. Hence Rakus Deity Durga shall greatly reward the resorter. During Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, during the eighth and the ninth phases of moon, and during New and Full moon days, Durga-worship is deemed great.

The most important festival of the temple is the Muthu Pandal (Pearl Tent) event in the month of Aani (June-July). This is a festival remembering the event of Lord Shiva offering this Pandal to Saint Gnanasambandar through His Bhooda Ganas. It is almost a spiritual drama showing the mercy of Lord to the child saint. It begins at 12.00 a.m. on the day when child saint Ganasambandar comes to the tent in Patteeswaram with his followers and sings the hymns. At night Lord Patteeswarar and Mother Palvalai Nayaki comes in procession in a pearl palanquin. The child saint also follows in procession. The festivals would be so alive pleasing devotees. Vaikasi Visakam in (May-June) beginning on the Vishaka star day with Panchamurthis (five deities) coming in procession to Tirumalairajan River offering theertham to devotees and return to temple granting darshan to devotees, Margazhi Panchamurthis procession on the new moon day, offering the Koti Theertham, an event remembering the relief of the Sayahati dosha to Lord Sri Rama, Aani Tirumanjanam to Lord Nataraja in (June-July), Aadi Pooram Mother Palvalai Nayaki procession in (July-August), Avani abishek to Lord Nataraja in (August-September), Vinayaka Chaturthi pujas and special abisheks in the same month, and Aipasi Annabishekam in (October-November), Masi Magam and Maha Shivrathri with four time pujas at night in (February-March), Sandalwood paste Alankaras to Durga Matha in Panguni Uthiram in (March-April), Monthly Pradosha days, Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year Days are the many festivals celebrated in the temple with special pujas and aaradhanas.

Devotees pray to Mother Durga for relief from the adverse aspects of serpent planets Rahu and Ketu during the Rahu Kalam times, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays in particular and on new moon, full moon, Ashtami and Navami days and for child and wedding boons and from the adverse aspect of Mars (Sevvai) planet.

Devotees to pray powerful Lord Bhairava for relief from enemy threats, cure from ailments, poison and dog bites.

Devotees pray to Lord Patteeswara for relief from worries and for mental peace, job opportunities, progress in trade and promotions in jobs. Realizing their wishes, devotees offer lime fruit garlands, light lime cup lamps, offer sari to Mother Durga. Bhairava Ashtami abishek is performed on Lord Bhairava on the Ashtami day in new moon fortnight. Abhishek is offered to Lord Patteeswara with milk, green coconut, rose water, sandal, sacred ash, cosmetic powders, rice flour, honey and oil. On Karthikai Monday days in November abishek is performed to Lord with 1008 conch theertha. They also offer vastras to Lord and Mother. Feeding Annadhana, distribution of nivedhanas to devotees and contribution to temple renovation are other commitments undertaken by the devotees.

Temple Timings:Monday to Sunday (Except Friday)6AM to 1PM, 4 to 9PM.

                           Friday 6 AM to 1 PM and 4 to 10 PM.

                           Friday (Aadi Month) 4AM to 1PM and 4 to12 Midnight.

Arulmigu Dhenupureeshwar Thirukkovil, Sri Durga Sthalam, Patteswaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District. Phone: 0435 416976

Email ID: patteeswaramdurga@gmail.com
Do's:

  • Do pray Your Ishta Devata before Pilgrimage to temple
  • Do Contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry ,temple information and for pooja details etc.
  • Do Do reserve yourtravel and accommodation at temple well in advance.
  • Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple
  • Do concentrate on God and Goddesss inside the temple.
  • DO maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
  • Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
  • Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only

Dont's:


  • Do not come to Temple for any Purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess
  • Do not smoke at Temple.
  • Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple
  • Do not Eat Non Vegetarian food in the Kshetram
  • Do not approach mediators for quick Dharshanam. It may cause inconenient to others
  • Do not carry any weapon inside the temple
  • Do not wear any head guards like helmets ,caps ,turbans and hats inside the temple premises