Patteeswaram, near Kumbakonam is famous for its Durga temple.
This temple is fairly big and well-maintained one. There are five
majestic gopurams (towers). The temple seems to have been built and
rebuilt several times with additions made to the original temple at
various times. The evidence of this is in the temple’s architecture which
has the styles of the Pallavas, Cholas and the Nayaks. The presiding deity at
this temple is Dhenupureeswarar and his consort is Gyanambigai. Patteeswaram is
one of the Parivara Sthalam. Mahalingaswamy at Thiruvidaimarudhur has the
Parivara devatas in various temples flung as far away as Sirkali and Thiruvalanchuzhi.
The group of temples that form a large temple with Thiruvidaimarudhur
Mahalingaswamy as the main deity is called Parivara Sthalams.
LEGEND
Legend has it that Rama had installed a Shivalingam here to
get rid of his sin or dosham. Rama was afflicted by three Doshams or sins
for killing Ravana. He could get rid of these sins by installing a
Shivalingam and do penance. Though, Rama was an incarnation of Vishnu, He
had taken the birth as an ordinary human being to show people the way and be a
role model. He was an Avatara Purusha or one who sets an example. He had
to undergo all the trials and tribulations that a normal human being undergoes
and demonstrate the virtues of righteousness while surmounting the
problems. Like any other mortal, He had to face the consequences of His
actions and had to perform the necessary pariharam (remedial poojas) to attain
papa vimochanam (absolution of the sin). The first of his three sins was
Brahmahatti dosham, because he had killed Ravana who was a Brahmin. He
was absolved of the sin by installing a Shiva Lingam at Rameswaram. His
second sin was Verrahatti dosham, because Ravana was also a great warrior.
Rama installed another Shiva Lingam at Vedaranyam to be absolved of this
sin. His third sin was Chaya Hatti dosham because Ravana was a great
exponent of fine arts and an ardent devotee of Shiva. He was absolved of
this sin when he installed yet another Shiva Lingam at Patteeswaram.
These three Lingams are known as Ramalingam. Rama created a well
here to perform ablutions or abhisheKam to the Shiva Lingam that he had
installed here. The well thus created by him is said to have brought the
holy waters of Dhanushkodi here. Near this well is a idol of Anjaneya.
Kamadhenu’s daughter Patti, worshipped Lord Shiva
here. She used to perform abhishegam or ablution to the Shiva Lingam with
her milk, hence the name Patteeswaram.
As in Thirupungur, the Nandi has shifted to a side here.
The reason attributed goes thus. On a hot summer day,
Thirugnanasambandar, a child poet, was on his way to Patteeswaram to worship
the Lord. Since Sambandar was a small child and the intense heat could
make him weak, Dhenupureeswarar had a canopy of pearls erected along the way to
make it cool and comfortable for his young devotee.
Dhenupureeswarar
could not wait for Sambandar to come to His Sanctum to see him. He asked
Nandi to move aside so that He could see His devotee as he entered the temple.
There is an annual festival in the tamil month of Ani to commemorate this
incident. This special festival is called ‘Muthupandal’. A
palanquin of pearls is taken in a procession that starts at noon from
Sakthimutram and concludes at Patteswaram.
There is a tank in front of the temple. The Pillayar
installed near the tank is known as Agnya Ganapathy.
Though the temple here is a Shiva temple, the temple is
known for the Durga here. Durga is considered to be the combined force of
all the Gods to destroy the evil forces. Durga in Sanskrit means a fortified or
well protected place. Durga protects the mankind from the evil forces.
She removes the negative thoughts such as selfishness, envy, hatred
anger and ego. The shrine for Durga is near the Northern entrance of the
temple. Cholas are believed to have originally installed this deity in
their fort. The idol was removed and installed here at this temple after
the fall of the Chola dynasty. Along with the idol of Durga, the idols of
Swarnaganapthy, Shanmuga and Bhairavar were also shifted to this temple from
the fort. These four deities were guarding the four entrances of the
fort. The Cholas were ardent devotees of Durga and always worshipped Durga
before going to war or when they were faced with making an important decision.
The Durga here is a Shanta Swarupi (calm or peaceful
countenance). She is seated on her vehicle Lion and is seen with here foot on
Mahishasura. The Goddess appears in Tribanga (three curved) posture.
Durga here is ashtabhuja or with eight hands. She is seen
holding conch, discuss, bow, arrow, sword, shield and a parrot in Her hands.
She has three eyes and jewels adorn her ears. An
unusual aspect of this Durga is that her vehicle – the lion – is seen facing
the left side instead of the right side, which is usually the case.
Goddess Durga here is considered to be very divine and powerful who showers Her
blessings on Her devotees. People afflicted with Rahu and Kethu
Doshas worship at this temple during Rahu Kalam; for, it is believed that
during the Rahu Kalam, Rahu worships the Goddess everyday. Worshipping
Her on Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays, New Moon days and Full Moon days and Ashtami
and Navami (8th and 9th day from the new moon or full moon day) is considered
special. People throng this temple to seek the blessings of Durga in
finding suitable match for their daughters. Locals vouch that the prayers
are always answered.
Worship of Durga is considered very important in
Kaliyuga. The worship of Goddess Durga removes the effect of all types of
black magic, unfavourable effect of negative planets, Bad luck, health
problems, problems due to enemies etc
Offerings of Sarees and garland of lemon are made to the
Goddess. Offering red floral garland alleviates Chevvai Dosham (the
adverse effect of Mars).
The Bhairavar here blesses his devotees with protection from
enemies, good health, and cure from any venomous bite. Lord Patteeswarar
blesses His devotees with peace of mind and career advancement.
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