Dhenupureeswarar Temple - Patteeswaram, Kumbakonam - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Dhenupureeswarar Temple

At a distance of 8 Km from Kumbakonam, the Sri Dhenupureeswarar, also known as Thenupureeswarar Temple, is a Hindu temple located in the village of Patteeswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the popular places to visit as part of the Kumbakonam heritage packages. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshiped here as Thenupureeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century CE Tamil Saiva canonical text, the Tevaram, composed by the Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars, and is recognized as a Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is linked to the legend of Sambandar, who is said to have prompted Nandi to reposition himself for a direct view of the presiding deity.

History of Dhenupureeswarar Temple

Patteeswaram Temple is thought to have been constructed by the Chola dynasty between 866 and 1004 CE. Architectural features and design patterns support this historical attribution. Within the temple, there are two inscriptions from the 12th century. The first inscription, dating to 1199, pertains to the reign of Veeraprathapa Devarayar and mentions the establishment of a temple tank, a hall, and various offerings to the temple. The second inscription, from 1137 during the same reign, notes alterations made to the temple and the donation of 9.5 velis of land. Additionally, five inscriptions from the 16th century, corresponding to the Nayak period, have been discovered. Initially, the temple was managed by the Kumbakonam Devastana committee until 1945, when its administration was transferred to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Mythology of Dhenupureeswarar Temple

According to the legend, Patti, the daughter of the divine cow Kamadhenu, is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva at this location, which is why it is referred to as Patteeswaram. The young poet-saint Tirugnana Sambandar visited a nearby village called Thirusattimutram with several saints (Adiyars) to pay homage to Lord Shiva. After completing the rituals, he set out for Patteeswaram; however, the intense heat of the sun made the journey challenging for the young Sambandar. In response, the Lord dispatched his bhoodaganas (servants) to adorn the streets with exquisite Muthu pandal (pearl umbrellas). Sambandar was deeply moved by the Lord's devotion and appreciated the shade provided. To ensure that Sambandar could see the sanctum sanctorum from outside, Shiva commanded Nandi to change its position. Consequently, the Nandi in this temple is not aligned directly facing the sanctum sanctorum.

Architecture of Dhenupureeswarar Temple

Sprawling over an area of four acres, Dhenupureeswarar Temple is fairly a big temple featuring an impressive seven-tiered rajagopuram, four five-tiered gopurams, and three distinct precincts. The temple is home to several shrines, with the most notable being those dedicated to Thenupureeswarar, his consort Gyanambigai, and Durga. All the shrines are encircled by expansive concentric rectangular granite walls. The sanctum sanctorum for the main deity, Thenupureeswarar, is situated in the central mandapam of the first prakarams, where Lord Patteeswara, a manifestation of Shiva, is represented in the form of a Linga. Surrounding the sanctum are images of Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhava, Durga, and the Navagrahas.

To the north of the sanctum is the shrine dedicated to Goddess Gyanambigai, the consort of Lord Shiva. A distinctive aspect of this temple is the Nandi sanctum, which is not aligned with the sanctum of Lord Shiva, a peculiarity attributed to a legend concerning Thirugnana Sambandar's visit. The temple is situated within the larger Patteswaram Durga Temple complex. Lord Ganesha is represented in three different forms within the premises: Anugai Pillayar, Madhavarna Pillayar, and Swarna Vinayagar. Additionally, there are various shrines honoring different Hindu deities, including Sapthamatha, Mahalakshmi, Renuka, Navagraha, Surya, Chandra, and Bhairava.

In the third precinct, Goddess Durga is depicted in an unusual and cheerful form. Unlike her representations in other temples, here she appears gentle and graceful (Shanta Swarupi). Seated on her lion, with her feet resting on the head of the demon Mahishasura, the goddess is portrayed in a Tribanga posture, possessing eight arms, three eyes, and adorned with earrings. Typically, the lion faces right; however, in this temple, it faces left. The goddess holds a conch, wheel, bow, arrow, sword, shield, and a parrot in her hands. Furthermore, the temple complex includes a tank and the shrine of Mathavarana Pillayar.

Festivals of Dhenupureeswarar Temple

The Dhenupureeswarar Temple in Patteeswaram hosts three significant annual festivals: Vaikasi Visakam in May/June, Muthu Pandal in April/May, and the Margazhi festival. During the Vaikasi Visakam celebration, the festive representations of the five main deities are transported in various vehicles to the Thirumalairajan River for Theerthavari. Upon their return, the deities are placed on the Vrishabaga vahana and paraded through the streets of Patteeswaram. The Muthu Pandal Festival is a prominent event that reenacts the story of Thirugnangasambandar's journey to the temple, marked by a floral canopy that welcomes him. In the Margazhi festival, the five principal deities are carried on different mounts, and the tale of Rama receiving absolution from his curse is performed.

Dhenupureeswarar Temple Dress Code & Other Restrictions

When planning a visit to the Dhenupureeswarar Temple in Kumbakonam, it is recommended to adhere to modest clothing that covers your upper arms and legs as a sign of respect. Men are encouraged to wear a dhoti or pajama paired with an upper garment, as well as formal trousers and shirts. Women may opt for a saree, half saree, or churidhars. It is advisable to refrain from wearing contemporary attire such as mini-skirts, low-waist jeans, shorts, and sleeveless tops while on the temple grounds.

Non-Hindus are welcome to explore the temple complex and appreciate its architectural beauty; however, access to the sanctum sanctorum may be restricted.

Dhenupureeswarar Temple Timings

Monday: 6 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 9 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 9 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 9 PM
Thursday: 6 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 9 PM
Friday: 6 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 9 PM
Saturday: 6 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 9 PM
Sunday: 6 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 9 PM

Dhenupureeswarar Temple Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Dhenupureeswarar Temple

The most favorable time to visit Ramaswamy Temple is during the winter months, from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and temperatures are milder. Nevertheless, the temple grounds are particularly vibrant and bustling with activity during April and May, coinciding with the Muthu Pandal Festival, the temple's most celebrated event.

How to Reach Dhenupureeswarar Temple

Trichy Airport is the nearest airport, situated about 95 kilometers from Kumbakonam. The Kumbakonam Railway Station provides comprehensive train services to numerous cities, including Chennai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Pondicherry, Mysore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Trichy, Bhubaneswar, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirupati, Bangalore, and Thirunelveli. Furthermore, bus services connect Kumbakonam with all parts of Tamil Nadu. About 8 km away, travelers can utilize bus services or opt for a cab or auto-rickshaw to reach Dhenupureeswarar Temple in Pattiswaram.