Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram
Shiva (as Thenupuriswarar / Patteeswarar) temple · Patteeswaram, near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
The Thenupuriswarar Temple, also called the Patteeswarar Temple, is a Shiva temple in the village of Patteeswaram near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as a lingam under the names Thenupuriswarar and Patteeswarar; Wikipedia names the goddess Somakamalambigai (Gnanambigai), and the Dinamalar temple guide calls her Palvalai Nayaki.
The temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam praised in the 7th-century Tevaram hymns of Tirugnana Sambandar, and it is closely tied to a legend about that child saint. It is perhaps best known for the shrine of the goddess Durga at its northern gateway, which Wikipedia describes as very popular. The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, according to Wikipedia.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram
The village takes its name from Patti, the calf of the divine cow Kamadhenu. According to the legend given by Dinamalar and Wikipedia, Patti worshipped Shiva here by shaping a lingam out of sand, and the place became known as Patteeswaram. Dinamalar notes that Thenupureeswarar is the Sanskrit form of the deity's name Patteeswarar. Other temple traditions hold that Parvati performed penance here, that Rama was freed here from the sin of killing Vali, and that the sages Vishwamitra and Markandeya worshipped at the shrine.
The best-known story concerns Sambandar. According to tradition, the child saint was walking from nearby Thirusakthimutram to Patteeswaram in the summer heat when Shiva sent his attendants to shade him with a canopy of pearls (muthu pandal). Shiva is also said to have asked Nandi to move aside so that Sambandar could see the sanctum from outside. In keeping with this legend, Wikipedia notes that the Nandi and flagstaff here are not in line with the sanctum, giving a direct view of the deity from the gateway.
The Durga shrine is a major draw in its own right. Dinamalar and Wikipedia describe her as gentle in expression rather than fierce: she stands on the head of the demon Mahishasura, has eight arms and three eyes, and her lion faces left instead of the usual right. According to tradition reported by Dinamalar, she was once the guardian deity of the Chola kings and was moved to this temple when Chola rule ended. Wikipedia also lists the Patteeswaram Durga among the seven Saptha Vigraha Moorthis grouped around the Mahalingeswarar temple at Thiruvidaimarudur.
Heritage
History of Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram
Wikipedia records that the original temple is believed to have been built by the Cholas, while the present masonry structure dates largely from the Thanjavur Nayak period in the 16th century; the Kumbakonam municipality's list of local temples credits the ancient temple to Kulothunga Chola and notes its very old sculptures and paintings. Govinda Dikshitar, minister to the Nayak king Raghunatha Nayak, lived at Patteeswaram and took a special interest in the temple; images of him and his wife are kept in the goddess shrine.
Citing a 1995 temple history published by the HR&CE Department, Wikipedia lists inscriptions from the 12th century recording a temple tank, a hall and land gifts, and five 16th-century Nayak-period records. One mentions a local custom of presenting the goddess with a sari when a marriage is arranged. The temple was run by the Kumbakonam Devasthanam committee until 7 August 1945, when the HR&CE Department took over. Wikipedia also notes that in the 1970s bronze images of Nataraja, Somaskanda and Lakshmi were found in the temple and are now in the Thanjavur Art Gallery.
Architecture and sacred features
Wikipedia describes a complex of about four acres with five gateway towers (gopurams) and three concentric walled precincts; the principal east-facing tower has seven tiers. Shrines in the precincts include Somaskanda, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhava, Bhairava and the Saptamatrikas. Ganesha appears in three forms, and in an unusual arrangement the Navagraha images are set facing the Sun at the centre.
The goddess shrine in the second precinct has carved yali figures and a ceiling with stone chains. The Durga shrine has its own gateway on the north side of the outer precinct. Dinamalar notes that the temple is built in the Nayak style and contains many paintings. The temple's waters include the Gnana Vavi tank, a well called Koti Theertham, and the Thirumalairajan river nearby.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Wikipedia describes Patteeswaram as one of the most visited temples in Thanjavur district. Dinamalar notes that Rahu Kalam on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays is considered an auspicious time for worship at the Durga shrine, so expect more devotees then and on festival days. Dress modestly, follow the instructions of temple staff, and check photography rules at the entrance. Confirm current timings and any special-darshan arrangements with the temple's HR&CE office before you travel.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram
Muthu Pandal festival
Re-enacts the legend of the pearl canopy sent for Sambandar; Dinamalar calls it the temple's main festival, held at night with the deities in a pearl palanquin.
Vaikasi Visakam
The festival images of the five principal deities are taken to the Thirumalairajan river for a holy bath and then around the village streets.
Brahmotsavam
Named by Wikipedia as the most prominent annual festival of the temple.
Margazhi festival
The five principal deities are taken out on different mounts, and the legend of Rama's release from his sin is enacted.
Location
How to Reach Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram
Wikipedia places the temple about 6 km from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam–Avoor road and about 3 km from Darasuram; the Kumbakonam municipality also gives about 6 km south of the town. Town buses run from Kumbakonam and minibuses from Darasuram. Dinamalar gives Kumbakonam as the nearest railway station and Tiruchirappalli as the nearest airport.
Location: Patteeswaram, near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Tiruchirappalli (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Kumbakonam (per Dinamalar); Darasuram station is also close (per Wikipedia)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (as Thenupuriswarar / Patteeswarar) temples · Temples in Patteeswaram · Temples in Kumbakonam Taluk · Temples in Thanjavur District
Questions
Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the village called Patteeswaram?
According to legend, Patti, the calf of the divine cow Kamadhenu, worshipped Shiva here with a lingam made of sand, and the place was named after her.
Why is the Nandi at Patteeswaram not in line with the sanctum?
Tradition holds that Shiva asked Nandi to move aside so that the child saint Sambandar could see him from outside. The Nandi and flagstaff are set to one side, giving a direct view of the sanctum from the gateway.
What is special about the Patteeswaram Durga?
She is shown with a gentle expression, eight arms and three eyes, standing on Mahishasura, and her lion faces left. Tradition says she was once the guardian deity of the Chola kings.
What is the Muthu Pandal festival?
It recalls the canopy of pearls Shiva is believed to have sent to shade Sambandar on his way to Patteeswaram. Dinamalar places it in the Tamil month of Aani (June–July).
Who manages the temple?
The HR&CE Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu has administered the temple since 1945, according to Wikipedia.
How far is Patteeswaram from Kumbakonam?
About 6 km, on the Kumbakonam–Avoor road and about 3 km from Darasuram.
Sources and attribution
- Kumbakonam Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu (TN Urban Tree) — Places to see – Temples & other interesting places
- Dinamalar — Sri Thenupureeswarar Temple, Thirupatteeswaram
- Wikipedia — Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram
- OpenStreetMap — Thirumigu Theanupureshwarar Temple (node 11831919106)
Further reading: Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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