Thenupuriswarar Temple

Patteswaram
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Patteswaram Location in Tamil Nadu
Name
Proper name	Patteswaram Temple
Geography
Coordinates
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Tanjore
Location	Patteeswaram
Culture
Primary deity	Thenupureeswarar (Shiva)
Consort	Somakambalambigai (Parvathi)
Temple tank	Brahma Theertham
Architecture
Architectural styles	Dravidian architecture

Thenupuriswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located in the holy village of Patteeswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Tirugnana Sambandar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

The Temple

The temple of Patteeswarar presents a magnificent sight with five gopurams and three prakarams. It measures 650 feet (200 m) east to west and 295 feet (90 m) south to north. Pattisvara, the presiding form of Shiva manifests himself in the form of Linga, in the central mandapa of the first prakaram. Subsidiary deities like Sapthamatha, Mahalakshmi, Renuka, Navagraha, Surya, Chandra and Bhairava are housed in the inner parts of the temple. Ganesha is represented at three different places in three different forms - Anugai Pillayar, Madhavarna Pillayar and Swarna Vinayagar. In the northern part of the first prakaram, the consort goddess Gnanambigai (Parvati) lies in a separate shrine. A sculpture of Parvati doing penance is also found inside the temple.

Legend

Tirugnana Sambandar came to Thirusattimutram with Adiyars(saints) to worship at the Shiva temple. Then he started towards Patteeswaram. Since the Solar movement was towards the Mituna star causing oppressive heat waves, the child Sambandar could not manage. The Lord sent his bhoodaganas(servants) to decorate the streets with beautiful Muthu pandal(ceiling made of flowers). The bhoodaganas prepared the pandal (ceiling) without Sambandar's knowledge. Sambandar was astonished by the reverence of God and enjoyed the shade offered. In order that Sambandar has a view of the Sanctum sanctorium from outside, Shiva ordered Nandi to shift position. Shiva is revered by the hymns of Sambandar.

• The name Patteeswaram was derived from the daughter of the divine cow Kamadhenu - Patti, who worshipped the lord here.
• Rama was relieved of Sayagathi dosha for killing Vali.
• Parvati herself performed penance here.
• Sage Vishwamitra was admitted in the company of Brahmarishis with the backing of Gayatri mantra in this place.
• Sage Markandeya worshipped here.
• All the Navagrahas here face the Sun-god Surya and are positioned as per the Agama tradition.

Durga

The shrine of the goddess Durga is very popular here. Unlike in other temples, Durga here is very soft in look and grace (Shanta Swarupi). Sitting on her vehicle lion, placing the feet on the head of the demon Mahishasura, the goddess appears in a Tribanga stature, eight hands, three eyes and jewels in the ears. Generally, the lion faces right, however the lion here faces the left side. In her hands, the goddess holds, conch, wheel, bow, arrow, sword, shield and a parrot.

According to legend, the Sapthavigraha moorthis(Seven deities of Shiva temples) and the speciality temples are as under the list:

Deity	Place
Shiva	Magalingam Tiruvidaimarudur
Chandikeswarar
Vinayagar	Vellai Vinayagar Temple
Murugan	Swamimalai
Durga	Patteswaram

Transport

The temple is located 6 km away from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam- Aavoor road. The temple is 3 km away from Darasuram. The best mode is taking town buses from Kumbakonam or mini buses from Darasuram. The Darasuram railway station is also close by to the temple. The temple is surrounded by vast streets on all the four sides. The temple is one of the most visited temples in the district.

See also

• Swamimalai
• Darasuram
• Oothukadu
• Sathi mutram

Gallery

• Patteeswaram templeview.jpg

  Gopuram view

• Thirupatteeswaram.jpg

  Thenupureeswarar Temple Painting

• Patteeswaram Durgai Temple Gopuram.jpg

  Durgambikai temple gopuram in Patteeswaram, taken in 1999 on an afternoon