Patteeswarar Temple - ePrarthana.com

The presiding deity is Dhenupuriswarar also called Pattiswarar; and Gnanambikai also called Palvalai � nayaki is the goddess. Patti, the daughter of the divine cow Kamadhenu worshipped here and so the place got the name of Pattiswaram. In a pillar of the temple, one can see the holy cow Patti worshipping a Linga by pouring milk by way of ablutions. The temple is fairly a big one and sports five big gopurams. Three prakarams surrounded the sanctum. The main deity is Pattiswarar and on the outside are Somaskanda and Jnana Sambandar, Sapta Kannigais, Swarana Vinayagar, Mahalingam, Shanmuga, Ramalinga and Laxmi are all housed in separate sanctums. In the north � west is the mandapa of 63 Nayanmars. Pictures of Sambandar and Rama adorn the north. The sanctum of Nataraja and Devi performing penance, a well, Palli Arai, Navagrahas, Sun and Chandikesvara are in their respective cells. In the north is the sanctum of Devi. Inside, in a mandapa is the portrait sculpture of the minister Govinda Dikshitar and his wife.

There are five holy tanks. Jnana Vapi, Kodi Tirtham, a well in the first prakara. Tapa Keni opposite the Devi doing penance, Teppakulam, east of the front Gopura, and Gayatri Tank created by Visvamitra. Patti, the daughter of Kamadhenu worshipped the Linga Dharma Sarma, the sage Methavi and he bathed in Jnana Vapi here and got rid of the curse cursed a Brahmin to become a dog. Visvamitra was inspired here to compose the Gayatri Mantra. The most important festival here is the Muthu Pandal vizha (festival of the pearl palanquin) in the month of Ani. Just before this festival supplying milk, pearl palanquin, pearl fan, golden cymbals takes place. That festival is celebrated on a grand scale every year.

At the very entrance is an image of Ganesa. Generally, we do not expect artistry in that image. However, here it is different. Even the niche in which he is stationed is a work of art. Bairave comes next. The Halo behind his head is of flames. His wide round eyes too breathe fire. His mount, Dog is equally ferocious with tongue hanging out. In the other side is Uma doing penance. Standing on one leg, the other tucked up, one arm raised high, with the other bent to suit a pose of penance. She is bewitching. Devoid of ornaments, exuding peace and grace she stands awaiting the grace of Siva. We may pause to admire the figure of Jnanmbal, the wife of the minister Govinda Dikshitar. The coiffure, the ear rings, necklaces adorning her neck, rings in her fingers, the metti in her tow all indicate the style prevalent in that time. Even her saree with the fanning folds reveal the designs of those times. Facing north side Durga stands near the north gopura. As she sports Conch and Discus, she is called Vishnu Durga. Eight armed, bangles of Ratna gem, encircling her hand, slender waist and bosom mount of lion behind, she attracts a large number of devotees.