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Friday, September 7, 2018

Pattinathar Temple, Thiruvotriyur – The Temple

Pattinathar Temple, Thiruvotriyur – The Temple
The Temple is situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal. There is no tower or vimanas. The entrance of the temple is not tall. The devotee has to enter bending the neck as a mark of humility.  The saint Pattinathar is facing the sea from a separate shrine in a Linga form on a square peeta (stage). The traditional Nagabarana (the divine snake jewel on the head of Linga) is also placed on the idol.



The saint is considered as Lord Shiva and pujas performed accordingly. There are 27 lamps in his shrine representing 27 stars. Ghee is used to light the lamps. The sacred ash used for the abishek is offered as Prasad. This is actually a Jeeva Samadhi Temple. The Sanctum housing the Linga is the burial spot of the mortal remains of Pattinathar, the 15th century saint. While a superstructure appears to have existed even in early times, the present structure over the sepulcher cannot be more than some 100 years old.



The superstructure over the Samadhi is a building of low height which has a flat ceiling comprising wooden planks above which is a vaulted roof. It is divided into three sections – a congregational hall in the front, a narrow vestibule in the middle and the sanctum at the rear. Flooring is of black slabs probably of the Cuddappah variety and the walls are of chunam. The building is fronted by a space covered by a sloping roof structure with Mangalore tiles.


Nandhi can be found facing the sanctum. Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga can be found in the front mandapam. Chandikeswara graces from his usual location in the prakaram. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa and Theertham is Bay of Bengal.