Patteeswarar Temple, Perur –
The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. There is a four pillared frontal porch in front of Rajagopuram. Deepa Sthambam can be found in front of the Rajagopuram. There is another three-tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance to the inner prakaram. A Mandapam connects the main Rajagopuram with the second level Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be seen before the second level Rajagopuram.
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Sanctum Sanctorum:
The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Arthamandapam, Maha mandapam and Mukha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Patteeswarar / Goksheereswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The hoof marks of Patti are still visible on the top of the Lingam.
Kodi
Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols
located around the sanctum walls. There is a covered circumbulatory path around
the sanctum. There is a raised enclosed Mandapam called Thiruchutru
Thirumaligai running around the sanctum sanctorum. Ashta Dikpalakas can be seen
in the Vimana over the sanctum.
Ambikas Shrine:
There are two Ambikas for Lord Shiva in this temple. One Ambika is called as Pachai Nayagi / Maragadambikai. Other Ambika is called as Manonmani. Pachai Nayagi is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her idol is made of Maragatha stone (green stone). Her shrine consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam.
Nandi
can be found facing the sanctum in front of Maha Mandapam. The Vimana is in
square shape. There is an idol of Lion in front of her shrine. A stone ball can
be seen in the mouth of the lion and can be rotated with the hand. The teeth of
the lion prevents the ball from coming out of the mouth. Manonmani Shrine is situated
to the left side of the Pachai Nayagi
Shrine.
Kanaka Sabhai:
Kanaka Sabhai (Golden Hall of Dance) is facing towards south, situated on the right side in between the first and second level Rajagopurams. It houses the beautiful form of Nataraja in the dancing posture. Lord Nataraja generally appears in all temples in an active dance posture. The difference in this temple is that he appears with legs downwards showing the end of the performance. He looks slightly mischievous with bright cheeks and the hair falling behind. Kanaka Sabhai has two rows of ten huge pillars with exquisite carvings of various manifestations of Lord Shiva.
Sculptures
of Agni Veerabhadra, Agora Veerabhadra, Kali, Nirutha Ganapathy, Saraswathi with
Veena, Bikshadana, Arumuga, Oordhuva Tandava Moorthy and Gaja Samhara Moorthy
can be seen on these pillars. Its terraced roof has a series of stone-chains
with a numerously pedaled lotus at the centre. Arudhra Darshanam at this temple
is an important festival, next only to Kanaka Sabhai at Chidambaram. Hence, this place is also called Mela Chidambaram (West Chidambaram).
Murugan Shrine:
There
is a separate shrine for Lord Murugan in the temple premises. His shrine is situated
between the Sanctum and Pachai Nayagi Shrine resembling Somaskanda form. Hence,
this temple is considered as Somaskanda Kshetram. He is in
Dhandayudhapani form. This shrine is considered as one of the only three places
where the sanctum of Lord Muruga is facing the west, the other two being Palani
and Thiruvannamalai. Lord Murugan of this temple is praised in Thirupugazh
Hymns of Arunagirinathar, a 15th century CE Tamil saint
poet.
Bhairavar Shrine:
There
is separate shrine for Lord Bhairava in the temple premises. As the temple is
considered as Mukthi Kshetra, Lord Bhairava appears without his dog vahana as
Gnana Bhairava.
Varadaraja Perumal Shrine:
Varadaraja
Perumal shrine is situated to the right of Goddess Pachai Nayaki shrine. Pooja
is carried out in Vaishnava sampradaya here.
Anjaneya Shrine:
There
is separate shrine for Anjaneyar in the temple premises. The idol is carved in
wood (Etti tree) instead of stone. He is about four and half feet tall.
Patteeswarar & Pachai Nayagi
Naatru Nadavu Shrine:
Patteeswarar & Pachai Nayagi Naatru Nadavu Shrine is situated outside the temple premises. It is located close to Deepa Sthambam. It is believed that Sundarar got darshan of Lord Shiva and Parvathy in the form of farmer couple while planting seedlings here.
Kedareswarar Shrine:
Kedareswarar Shrine is situated to the left side of Rajagopuram under Peepal tree outside the temple premises.
Kalyana Mandapam:
Kalyana
mandapa is situated in between the sanctum and Pachai Nayagi Shrine.
Yaga Salai:
Yaga
Salai, place for conducting Yagas can be found near bell tower in the temple premises.
Other Shrines:
There are shrines for Patti Vinayagar, Suryan, Chandran, 63 Nayanmars, Pancha Lingams, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli And Devasena, Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Cheraman Perumal, Sundarar, Murugan, Durga, Navagrahas and Madheswaran in the temple premises. The Durgai in this temple appears with eight hands. Saptha Lingas and Sahasra Linga can be seen behind the sanctum. Hero Stones can also be seen in the temple premises.
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Pirava Puli & Irava Panai:
Sthala Vriksham is Peepal tree. The sacred trees associated with the temple are the palm and tamarind trees, called Irava Panai and Pirava Puli. There is a tamarind tree praised as Pirava Puli in front of the temple. The seeds of which do not germinate if sown, indicating that if one surrenders to Lord Shiva he will be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. When one takes the Tamarind seed from here and places it in another town, one finds much to one’s surprise that the seed does not find growth in that new region outside of the temple zone. The Palm Tree is praised as Irava Panai meaning that it would never fall down meaning that those devoted to Lord Patteeswarar would ever be standing straight with name and fame.
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Theerthams:
Theerthams associated with this temple are Brahma Theertham, Chakra Theertham and Noyyal River. The temple tank is situated in front of the temple. The tank is a fine piece of symmetrical steps with 16 angles. Perur Padithurai is 200 meters to the north of the temple and it is situated on the southern bank of Noyyal River.
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