Dec 14, 2024
Dec 14, 2024
Patteeswaram is situated just 8 kms from Kumbakonam. Sri Durgai shrine is very popular here. Originally Patteeswaram is known for the Shiva Temple called Sri Dhenupureeswarar temple located here. Goddess is Gnanambikai. Patteeswaram got its name as, Patti, daughter (calf) of sacred cow Kamadhenu worshipped here.
Daughter of Kamadhenu, Patti worshipped the Lord Shiva (Eeswaran) here, so this place got that name Patteeswaram. Though the main god is Siva this temple is known as Durgai Amman Temple.This temple is located at Thenupuriswarar Temple, as a separate shrine. By passing through the Gopuram of the north entrance of Thenupurisvara Temple, Durgai Amman Temple could be reached.
According to legend, Parasakthi wanted to perform Thapas and was trying to locate a peaceful place. Knowing this, Kamadhenu, sent her daughter to be of help to Parasakthi during the Thapas. Lord Shiva, pleased with the Devi’s Thapas gave Dharshan to her here and assumed the name, Gabardeeswarar. Also Lord Shiva was too eager to see Sambandar. He was looking at the way to the temple from his Sanctum. As Nandhi was sitting in front of the Lord, he couldn’t view properly. And Lord Shiva ordered Nandhi to move a bit, so that his view is not obstructed and Nandhi obeyed. Sambandar with overwhelming joy, sung 10 hymns on Lord Shiva here. Durga was istha devata for Chola dynasty. Both Mangayarkkarasiyar and Kundavai Pirāttiyār were very fond of her and worshipped her. Goddess Durga was the family deity of Rajaraja I and other Chola kings and they used to worship her and pray fervently to her before fighting a war. She was kept north of Patteeswaram during the Chola reign and was their ‘Kaaval Deivam’, the protecting deities. The kings used to go by her divine decree regarding battle and other state affairs, and respected her arul vaakku, blessings. Durga is considered to be the combined force of all Gods to destroy the evil forces. She is considered as Shanta Swarupi (calm or peaceful countenance). She has eight hands on which she is holding conch, discus, bow, arrow, sword, shield, and a parrot. She is in tribanga posture. Durgai ammana is in standing posture. She is found draped in traditional Madisar saree, with lemon and arali garland. She is of six feet height. The standing lion is facing right. She is found with smiling face, as if welcoming the devotees. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, crowds throng the Patteeswaram temple during rahu kalam. Muthupandhal is the biggest festival of this temple. The Kumbhabhishekham of this temple and Thenupuriswarar temple was held on 29 January 2016. Patti, the calf of Kamadhenu created a beautiful shiv-ling out of mud. Then using her horns, Patti dug the earth to create a pond so that Mother Parvathi could do the abhisekam of her consort. She used her spiritual powers to invite rivers Ganga and Cauvery to flow in the pond. She also offered her milk for abhishekam to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased with her services and assumed the name patteeswaran. Since then, the village came to be known as Patteswaram. Ma Durga stands tall at 6 feet. She is wearing a 9-yard saree and is adorned with lemon and rose garlands. She has three eyes and 8 hands. She decimates the buffalo faced asura / demon – Magishasuran. Yet she maintains a calm demeanour. Goddess Durga is renowned for forgiving us and destroying the negative elements in the earth. When Renuka Devi’s daughter Parashuram was afflicted with Brahmahatti Dosha, he gained redemption by praying to Mother Durga. Rama killed Ravana. Arjuna killed Karna. To redeem themselves from the sin, both of them offered Pooja for Mother Durga. Mother Durga eliminates the fear of death. She has both the traits of her husband (destroyer of evil – Shiva) and her brother (protector of people and the one who bestows life and success – Vishnu). She also demonstrates qualities of Lord Brahma by creating new needs for people. Therefore praying to Mother Durga is akin to seeking the blessings and grace of all devas. The best time to pray to Mother Durga is rahu kalam. It is ideal to light a lamp during rahu kalam and pray to Durga Ma. As she is elder to her brother Vishnu, days like Ashtami and Navami that are ideal for Vishnu are equally applicable to her. Amavasya and Pournami are other days that are suitable for propitiating Mother Durga. The temple was originally believed to have been built by Cholas. Most of the Chola temples built during the period of 866 and 1004 CE are associated with certain military events or political campaign. Govinda Dikshitar, the minister of Raghunatha Nayak took special interest in the temple as he was staying at Pateeswaram. A sculpture of Parvati doing penance is also found inside the temple. Ganesha is represented at three different places in three different forms – Anugai Pillayar, Madhavarna Pillayar and Swarna Vinayagar. 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. In the northern part of the first prakaram, the consort goddess Gnanambigai (Parvati) lies in a separate shrine. The temple of Patteeswarar presents a magnificent sight with five gopurams and three prakarams. The annual ten-day festival in Margazhi (December-January), Vaikasi festival (May-June), Navarathri and Muthu Pandal Festival (June-July) are the important festivals celebrated at this temple. Nearest Airport: Trichy International Airport – 95 km Nearest Railway station: Kumbakonam – 8.9 km Address:Patteeswaram, Kumbakonam, Tanjore District, Tamil Nadu Bus Route Sri Thenupureeswarar Temple located in Patteswaram, near Kumbakonam city. Frequent bus facility is available. It is located 7 km from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal. Morning Hours: 6:00 AM – 11 AM Evening Hours: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM For more details please dial 0435 241 7157 1. Hotel Green Park No. 10, Lakshmi Vilas Street, Kumbakonam, South India – 612001. Ph :(0435) – 2402853 / 2403914 2. Quality Inn VIHA New Railway Road, Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Tamil Nadu 612001 Ph:0435 255 5555 3. Lee Garden Naal Road Junction, Srinagar Colony, Kumbakonam Tanjore, Tamil Nadu 612001 Ph:0435 240 2526 4. Rayas Grand 23-25, Holy Mahamaham Tank West Bank, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu Ph:0435 242 3170 http://templesoftamilnadu.co.in/patteeswaram-durga-temple/
On seeing this, Patti who was helping Devi for her Thapas, also installed a Shiva Linga and started worshipping Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva was pleased with her worship and blessed Patti here and hence the place got named after Patti as Patteeswaram.
Once, Thirugnaana Sambandar came walking down to Patteeswaram to have the dharshan of Lord Shiva. As it was hot summer, he was finding it difficult with scorching heat. Lord Shiva, realizing Sambandar’s pain, ordered his Bhoodha Ganas to hold a Muthu Pandhal (Umbrella woven with pearls) along the way to the temple, so that Sambandar can walk in the shadow.
Even today, one can see Nandhi facing a bit away from the Lord.
Sri Durga (also called Vishnu Durga) in this temple has been installed by Cholas. Originally Sri Durga was in some other place unattended. Cholas brought her here and have made a separate shrine for her here. Now Sri Durga temple has gained more importance than the Dhenupureeswarar temple as most of the devotees throng here.
Patteeswaram is located near Pazhaiyaarai where Raja Raja Chola was born and brought up. It is said that the Cholas before taking any decision or before any battle, worshipped Goddess Durga here and proceeded.
Lord Rama has worshipped Sri Durga Devi here before moving towards Sri Lanka for his war against Ravana. It is also said that Sage Viswamithra, got enlightened with Gayathri Mantra in this place and was conferred with the title “Brahma Rishi” by Saint Vasishta.
Sri Durga is seen with three eyes, eight hands holding weapons and her legs rested on Demon king Mahishasura. Though the Goddess here is with weapons etc., her face is with full of grace and mercy like a mother blessing children. This is a wonderful temple in which the Goddess grants the wishes of her children.Sri Thenupureeswarar Temple Festivals
Temple Opening Hours