Thenupuriswarar Temple

Patteswaram
Patteswaram
Location in Tamil Nadu
Name
Proper name Patteswaram Temple
Geography
Coordinates 10°55′N 79°20′E / 10.917°N 79.333°E / 10.917; 79.333Coordinates: 10°55′N 79°20′E / 10.917°N 79.333°E / 10.917; 79.333
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.[1]

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 Pearl). 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.

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

Another version

According to legend, Mahalingaswamy is the centre of all Shiva temples in the region and the Saptha Vigraha moorthis (seven prime consorts in all Siva Temples) are located at seven cardinal points around the temple, located in various parts of the state.[4][5] The seven deities are -

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.[6]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thenupuriswarar Temple.
  1. ↑ Encyclopaedia of the Śaivism .Swami P. Anand, Swami Parmeshwaranand
  2. ↑ Census of India, 1961, Volume 7; Volume 9
  3. ↑ The self-milking cow and the bleeding liṅgam: criss-cross of motifs in Indian temple legends.Gabriella Eichinger Ferro-Luzzi
  4. ↑ Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu 2007, p. 53.
  5. 1 2 Narayanaswamy 1987, pp. 34-5
  6. ↑ "What to see - Thanjavur district attractions". Thanjavur District Administration. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
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