Friday, February 26, 2016

Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Patteeswaram – Legends

Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Patteeswaram – Legends

Patteeswaram:

As per legend, Mother Parvathy chose this place for her penance on Lord Shiva. Devas came here and resided in the form of trees and plants to protect her. They made the surroundings greener to make Mother Parvathy comfortable in performing her penance. Kamadhenu deputed her daughter Patti to support Mother Parvathy in her penance. Pleased with Mother Parvathy penance, Lord Shiva appeared here with his long uncombed hair (Sadai Mudi) and provided darshan. Thus, Lord Shiva assumed the name Kabartheeswarar.

Knowing the sacredness of the place and observing the Shiva puja by Mother Parvathi, Patti too made a Shivalinga of sand and performed penance here. It took water from the sacred Gnanavavi Theertha for abishekam. All merciful Lord Shiva approved Patti’s sand Linga and merged in the same and made it all sacred. As the Patti calf worshipped here, the place came to be called as Patteeswaram and Lord came to be called as Patteeswarar / Dhenupureeswarar.

Thiru Gnana Sambandar’s Patteeswaram Trip:

Thirugnana Sambandar came to Thirusakthimutram with Adiyars (saints) to worship Lord Shiva at Thirusakthimutram Sakthivanesvara Temple. Then he started towards Patteeswaram. As it was peak summer, the child Sambandar could not manage. The Lord sent his Boodhaganas (servants) to decorate the streets with beautiful Muthu Pandal (ceiling made of flowers). The Boodhaganas prepared the Pandal without Sambandar's knowledge. Sambandar was astonished by the reverence of God and enjoyed the shade offered.

When he was about to enter the temple with his disciples, Dhenupureeswarar asked his Nandi to give way to Thiru Gnana Sambandar so he could watch the poet’s grand entry thus providing him darshan right from the entrance. Hence to this day, the Nandi at the temple is seen slightly to the left and not directly opposite Dhenupureeswarar. In memory of this event, Muthu Pandhal Festival is celebrated at this temple in a grand way every year in Aani.

Lord Rama’s relief from Chaya Hathi Dosham:

After defeating Ravana, it is believed that Rama visited Patteeswaram to liberate him from Chaya Hathi Dosham that had struck him for having killed Vaali striking an arrow from hiding.  This event is celebrated every year during the Tamil month of Margazhi. He installed Shiva Lingam here at Patteeswaram, one of the three places in Tamil Nadu where he did this, the other two being Rameswaram and Vedaranyam. He also created a well and used the water to perform abhishekam to Lord Shiva. This well came to be called as Rama Theertham / Kodi Theertham. This Theertham is considered equivalent to Dhanushkodi Theertham.

Dharma Sharma, disciple of Medhavi Rishi, liberation from curse:

Medhavi Rishi of Malava kingdom left his ashram to attend a yagna conducted by Sage Pradesas. He assigned his disciple Dharma Sharma to take care of the Ashram and the cows. On his return, he found that the cows had become weak significantly impacting their ability to deliver milk. An angered rishi cursed him to become a dog. To liberate himself from the curse, Dharma Sharma, now in the form of a dog, came here to the South of Cauvery to Devi Vanam. When the sacred water fell on the dog, he was liberated from the Sage’s curse and regained his original form.

10 days Thai festival:

King Chitra Sena of Kaambeeli had no child. To liberate himself from the sins of the previous birth, he came here with his wife and undertook bath in the sacred tank. He performed Putra Kameshti Yagna here. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before him in Vaikasi and blessed him with a child. As a thanks giving to the Lord, a delighted king started the grand 10 days festival in Thai.

Sage Vishwamitra received his title Brahma Rishi here:

Legend says that Sage Vishwamitra was enlightened with the Gayathri Mantra in this place and received his title Brahma Rishi by Sage Vasishta here. The Gayatri Theertham is believed to have been created by Sage Vishwamitra. 

King Sakthiyumna got relief from Brahmmahathi Dosha here:

King Sakthiyumna was afflicted with Brahmmahathi Dosha. He went to Sage Kashyapa for relief from dosha. He was advised by Sage Kashyapa to visit this temple for relief. As advised, he visited this temple, took bath in Gnanavavi Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva. It is said that a parrot taught him the Panchakshra mantra in this Temple. Once, he learnt the mantra, he was relieved from his dosha.

Sage Markandeya worshiped Lord Shiva here:

It is believed that Sage Markandeya worshiped Lord Shiva of this Temple.