THENUPURISWARARTEMPLE, TANJAVUR DISTRICT-PATTEESWARAM, TAMIL NADU. Introduction
Thenupuriswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the godShiva located in the village of Patteeswaram in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu,India. Shiva is worshiped as Thenupuriswarar, and is represented by the lingam.His consort Parvati is depicted as Nyanambikai (Somakamalambigai). The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century-CE TamilSaiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as theNayanars and classified as PaadalPetra Sthalam. The temple is associated with the legend of Sambandar to whose view Nandi moved tohave a direct view of the presiding deity. Muthupandal festival celebrated inthe temple in associated with the legend. The temple complex covers around four acres and entered through a seven-tieredgopuram, the main gateway. The temple has a number of shrines, with those ofThenupuriswarar, his consort Somakamalambigai and Durga, being the mostprominent. All the shrines of the temple are enclosed in large concentricrectangular granite walls. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. The Brahmotsavamfestival is celebrated during the month of the Chittirai (April - May) is themost prominent festival. The original complex isbelieved to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during theNayak during the 16th century. In modern times, the temple is maintained andadministered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of theGovernment of Tamil Nadu. Legend Tirugnana Sambandar came to Thirusattimutram withAdiyars(saints) to worship at the Shiva temple. Then he started towardsPatteeswaram. Since the Solar movement was towards the Mituna star causingoppressive heat waves, the child Sambandar could not manage. The Lord sent hisbhoothaganas(servants) to decorate the streets with beautiful Muthu pandal(ceiling made of Pearl). Thebhoothaaganas 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 sanctorum from outside, Shiva ordered Nandi to shiftposition. Shiva is revered by the hymns of Sambandar. The name Patteeswaram was derived from the daughter of thedivine cow Kamadhenu -Patti, who worshipped the lord here. Rama is believed to have beenrelieved of Sayagathi dosha for killing Vali. Parvati herselfperformed penance here, while sage Vishwamitra was admitted in the company of Brahmarishis with the backingof Gayatri mantra in this place. Sage Markandeyaworshipped here and all the Navagrahas here face the Sun-god Surya and arepositioned as per the Agama tradition. History The temple was originally believed to have been built by Cholas. Most of the Cholatemples built during the period of 866 and 1004 CE is associated with certainmilitary events or political campaign. Govinda Dikshitar, the minister ofRaghunatha Nayak took special interest in the temple as he was staying atPateeswaram. Various bathing ghats and Pushyamandapas were built during hisregime in various temples in the region. There are twoinscriptions in the temple dating back to the 12th century. The first recordedinscription numbered 21 G of 1908is from the period of Veeraprathapa Devarayar during 1199 indicating thebuilding of a temple tank, a hall and gifts to the temple.. The temple wasoriginally administered by Kumbakonam Devastana committee till 7 August 1945when it was shifted to Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department,Government of Tamil Nadu. Architecture The temple of Patteeswarar presents a magnificent sight with five gopurams andthree prakarams. It measures 650 feet (200 m) east to west and 295 feet (90 m)south to north. The temple has four five-tiered Gopurams (gateway tower) andone seven-tiered tower, which is the principal gateway tower facing East. Thereare three rectangular precincts, each of which has granite walls of incrementaldimensions. The sanctum is approached through the gateway tower, the flagstaff, Nandi, Mukha Mandapam and Artha mandapam, There are various sculpted pillars in different parts of thetemple indicating various legends associated with the temple and Hindumythology. During the 1970s, there were three metal images of Nataraja,Somaskanda and Lakshmi were found out from the caves inside the temple - theseare housed in Thanjavur Art Gallery. There are six water bodies associated with the temple. otherwaterbodies. Deities Pattisvara, the presiding form of Shiva manifests himself inthe form of Linga, in the central mandapa of the first prakaram. In the northern part of the first prakaram, the consortgoddess Gnanambigai (Parvati) lies in a separate shrine. A sculpture of Parvatidoing penance is also found inside the temple. Subsidiary deities like Sapthamatha, Mahalakshmi,Renuka, Navagraha, Surya, Chandra and Bhairava are housed in the inner parts ofthe temple. Ganesha is represented at three differentplaces in three different forms - Anugai Pillayar, Madhavarna Pillayar andSwarna Vinayagar. Unlike other temples, the shrine of Nandi or theflagstaff are not axial to the sanctum and are located on the side providing adirect view of the sanctum from the gateway tower. From the gateway tower, theshrine of Durga is located on the northern side in the third precinct, which alsohas a gateway tower axial to the shrine of Durga. There is a gopuram on thesouthern side, which also houses a temple tank called Pushkarani and the shrineof Mathavarana Pillayar. The sanctum houses the image of Shiva in the form ofLingam (an iconic representation of Shiva). There is a shrine of Somaskandaparallel to the shrine where the metal image of Somaskanda is housed. Theprecinct around they sanctum houses the image of Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhava,Durga and Navagrahas. Unlike other temples, eight of theNavagrahas, the planetary deities are set facing the Sun at the centre.The shrine of Amman is located in the second precinct and has sculpted yaliimages of different poses. The shrine also houses a scrollwork in the ceilingthat also has chains made of stone. The images of Govinda Dikshitar and hiswife are housed in the shrine of Amman. Religious importance The shrine of the goddess Durga is very popular here. Unlikein 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 demonMahishasura, the goddess appears in a Tribanga stature, eight hands, three eyesand jewels in the ears. Generally, the lion faces right, however the lion herefaces the left side. In her hands, the goddess holds, conch, wheel, bow, arrow,sword, shield and a parrot. The temple is counted as one of the temples builton the banks of River Kaveri. It is located on the banks of Kudamurutti, atributary of river Kaveri. Daily poojas The temple has six worship practises in day, namely,Ushathkalam at 6 a.m., Kalasanthi at 9 a.m., Uchikalam at 12 p.m., Sayaratchaiat 6 p.m., Irandamkalam at 8 p.m. and Arthajamam at 9 p.m. Festivals andreligious practises There are three major festivals celebrated in the temple.During the Vaikasi Visagam festival, the festive images of the five principaldeities are taken in different vehicles to Thirumalairajan river forTheerthavari. On the return, the images are mounted in Vrishabaga vahana andtaken around the streets of Pateeswaram. Muthupandal festival is the major festival in the temple,when the legend of Thirugnangasambandar walking all the way fromThirusakthimutram to the temple in hot sun and with divine grace, a roof madeof flower welcomes him to the temple. During the evenings, the festive image ofthe saint is taken along with the images of the presiding deity around thestreets of the temple. During the Margazhi festival, the five principal deitiesare taken in different mounts and the legend of Rama getting expiation from hiscurse is enacted. Worship At Patteeswaram (Thenupuriswarar Temple), devotees offerprayers and specific items to Goddess Durga for marriage/life boons, and LordShiva for career/peace, with popular practices including special Pujas forDurga on Tuesdays/Fridays, seeking relief from planetary issues(Rahu-Ketu/Mars), and offering items for protection and fulfilment of desires. Key Deities &Offerings: Goddess Durgai Amman: The main draw, worshipped formarriage, child boons, overcoming obstacles, and protection. Offerings ofteninclude special Pujas, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, for relieffrom malefic planetary effects (Rahu, Ketu, Mars). Lord Thenupuriswarar (Shiva): Worshipped for mentalpeace, business growth, career advancement, and general well-being. Lord Bhairava: Worshipped for protection fromenemies, illnesses, and dangers. Common Offerings &Practices: Special Pujas: Performed for specific needs, particularly forDurga to clear marriage hurdles. Flowers & Fruits: Standard temple offerings. Specific Days: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays are significantfor Durga worship. For Marriage: Special Durgai Amman Pujas are sought for thosefacing delays in marriage. For Protection/Life Issues: Worshipping Durga and Bhairavafor general well-being and overcoming threats. Location 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 takingtown buses from Kumbakonam or mini buses from Darasuram. The Darasuram railwaystation is also close by to the temple. The temple is surrounded by vast streetson all the four sides. The temple is one of the most visited temples in thedistrict. Temple Opening Timings 06:00 AM IST - 01:00 PM IST 04:00 PM IST - 09:00 PM IST Administration The temple is maintained and administered by the HinduReligious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Temple Address Arulmigu Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Patteswaram, Patteeswaram -612703, Thanjavur District. Tamilnadu. Compiled and posted by R. Gopala Krishnan 25-12-2025 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/2036518376.2135758.1766642984005%40mail.yahoo.com.
