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.