The Shrine where the daughter of Kamadhenu worshipped Lord Shiva

Thenupuriswarar Temple is a temple dedicated to the God Shiva located in the holy village of Patteeswaram. Patteeswaram is situated at a distance of about 8 kms from Kumbakonam. Main deity of this temple is called Patteeswarar or Thenupuriswarar and his consort Goddess Parvati is called, Gnanambigai or Palvalainayagi. This temple is also famous for the worship of Mother Durga.

Patteeswaram Thenupuriswarar Temple ancient temple is on the northern bank of the river Thirumalairayan. This temple is very big and is spread over a sprawling 4.4-acre temple campus. It has 4 main towers at all the four entrances. The historical names of this place are Mazhapadi, Patteecharam, Devivanam and Shaktivanam. Historically Patteeswaram comes in the border of the ancient city ‘Pazhayarai’ which was the capital of the Chola Kingdom before Thanjavur.

The legend is that Patti, the daughter of the divine cow Kamadenu, worshipped the lord here. Hence this place gets the name Patteecharam (“Echaram” means temple in Tamil). The lord is praised as Sri Patteeswarar (Sri Thenupureeswarar in Sanskrit).

It is believed that Goddess Parvathy had performed penance here. Devas came here in the form of trees and plants to protect her and make the environment green. Kamadenu sent her daughter Patti to assist Goddess Parvathy. Pleased with her penance, Lord Shiva blessed her with his darshan. In this darshan he was seen with his dreadlocks (“jadamudi”).

Another legend is that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, after worshiping the lord at Sakthi Mutram, a nearby Lord Shiva temple, proceeded to visit this temple. It was a peak summer day and in order to protect him from the oppressive heat, Lord Shiva created a tent lined with pearls (“Muthu panthal”) and sent it through his attendants (“Bhootha ganas”). He also advised the Nandhi to move a little bit to the side so that he could see the beautiful sight of Sambanthar arriving through the pearls roof. Devotees can see the Nandhi in this temple is not straight to the Lord as seen in other temples.

It is believed that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here to seek pardon for the sins (“Chayahathi dosham”) that he had accrued by killing Ravana, Vaali and others. This event is commemorated every year during the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan). He created a well here and used this water to perform abhishekam to Lord Shiva. This well is known as “Rama Theertham” or “Kodi Theertham”. This Theertham is considered to be equivalent to “Dhanushkoti Theertham”. Sage Viswamitra worshiped the lord here and it is believed that he attained the full power of the holy “Gayathri Mantra” and also received the title of “Brahma Rishi” in this temple.

Goddess Vishnu Durgai’s shrine, located at the northern entrance of this temple, is very popular among devotees. This temple is also known as Durgai Amman temple. The Idol of Mother Durga was originally placed inside the Pazhayarai Fort and worshiped by Chola Kings every day. Chola kings including the great Rajaraja Chola I were staunch devotees of Goddess Durgai. She was the guardian and advisor of Chola dynasty and Chola Kings used to get her permission (“Deiva Vaakku”) before going to war or taking any important decision. She is also known as “Kottai Vayil Durgai”. After the decline of the Chola empire, the idol of Durgai Amman was installed in this temple.

The Goddess here is known by many names such as Vishnu Durgai, Durga Lakshmi, Navayoga Nayaki, Navakoti Nayaki, Navagraha Nayaki, Navaratri Nayaki and Navasakthi Nayaki, to name a few. Unlike in other temples, Goddess Durgai here has a pleasing appearance (“Shanta Swarupi”). She appears in a Thribanga stature - with eight hands, three eyes, wearing ear rings (“kundalam”) and standing on top of the demon Mahishasuran. Generally, her mount (lion) looks towards the right side whereas here it faces left.

Devotees worship Lord Shiva of this temple to seek the blessing of prosperity and wisdom. Devotees can get relief from the adverse effects of planets Raahu and Kethu by worshiping Goddess Durgai here. Devotees pray to Lord Bhairavar here to seek relief from enemy threats and for cure from dog bites and other ailments.