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 pathigama 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 calledPatteeswaram and Lord Patteeswarar 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: Thenupureeswarar,
Patteeswarar
Amman / Thayar: Palvalai
Nayaki, Gnanambikai
Thala Virutcham: Vanni
Theertham: Gnana
Vavi
Pathigam: Sambandar
Old year: 1000-2000
years old
Historical Name: Mazhapadi
This temple is located at about 9 Kmssouth to west of Kumbakonam and about 3 Kms south to east of Swamimalai. Bus
facilities are available from Kumbakonam and Thanjavur. The nearest railway
station (2 Kms) Darasuram is situated on the Thanjavur Kumbakonam section of
the Southern Railway.
The Shiva temple at Tirupatteeswaram is fairly a big temple
measuring 650 feet east to west and 295 feet north to south. There are 5 tall
gopurams and 3 prakarams. The sanctum sanctorum of the main deity Thenupureeswarar is located in the central mandapam of
the first prakarams. There are shrines for Chandikeswarar, Natarajar, Sun god
Sooriyan etc. To the north of the main sanctum sanctorum is the main shrine for
the female deity Sri
Gnanambikai.
According to the legend, Divine Cow Kamadhenus calf Patti is said
to have worshipped the God Shiva here and hence this Sthalam is called as Patteeswaram. Sage Viswamitirar
got the tile of Brahmarishi at
this Sthalam. Sri Ramar is said to have worshipped Shiva at this sthalam to
absolve himself of the Chaayadosham which he got by killing Vaali.
Durgas shrine here is of great importance. The Kodi Theertham
well in the temple is said to have been created by Sri Ramar. Sri Ramar is said
to have worshipped Shiva with the water from this well to get rid of the sin
of killing Ravanan. This Kodi theertham is considered to be equivalent to
Dhanushkoti. Shiva is said to have blessed Sambandar by sending through his
Shivaganas an umbrella made with pearls (Muthu Pandal), to protect him from the
scorching summer sun when he was coming to Patteeswaram. It is said that God
Shiva asked Nandi to move aside so that He can see Sambandar while he was coming
to this temple to have darshan of God Shiva. The Nandi in this temple is not in
a straight line facing the sanctum sanctorum to substantiate the above.
Though this is a Shiva temple with an interesting history, the
most famous deity in this temple is Durga. Patteeswaram Durga is said to be a
very powerful deity, and draws devotees from all over. She is basically a
Kaaval deivam (or a guardian deity) of this temple, and has her sanctum right
at the entrance. Though Durga is generally considered an angry deity, in this
temple, the black granite idol of the goddess with her vehicle the lion, eight
arms holding different weapons, killing the demon Mahishasura, has a smiling
visage, which seems to reassure us.
It is believed that the holy cow Kamadhenu and her daughter Patti
worshiped Shiva here. Hence, while the village is known as Patteeswaram, the
lord takes the name of Dhenupureeswarar, and the goddess is named Gyaanambigai.
There are also other legends connected to this temple. Sage Vishwamitra is
believed to have been given the title of Brahmarishi here, and Rama is believed
to have worshipped Shiva here to absolve himself of the sin of killing Vaali.
There is another interesting story attached to this temple
regarding the Shaivite saint Thirugnyaanasambandhar. Shiva presented Sambandhar
an umbrella made of pearls (Mutthu Pandal) to protect him from the heat as he
walked from one temple to another. As Sambandhar approached Patteeswaram, Shiva
was impatient to see him, and asked Nandi to move aside so that He could see
Sambandhar coming towards the temple under the Mutthu Pandal. Till this day,
the Nandi in this temple stands slightly to the side, just as it moved so many
years ago.
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.
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.
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.
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to
8.30 p.m.
Sri Thenupureeswarar Temple, Tiru Patteeswaram, Thanjavur. +91435 2416976.
Do:
- 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 reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't 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 Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient 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.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.
Temple Pedia
Devotion
Statues & Paintings
Fashion & Jewellery
