Patteeswaram Durgai Amman Temple

Patteeswaram Durgai Amman Temple

 

Durgai Amman Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Durga located in Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.

 

Here the Goddess Durga is seen having three eyes and eight hands in which she holds her weapons. Her legs rest on the demon Mahishasura who the Goddess killed. The Goddess holds all the weapons, but she has such grace and mercy on her face that a mother has for her children.

 

Durga here remains in a standing posture of about six feet in height. She is draped in a Madisar saree and wears lemon and arali garland. Her smiling face is welcoming to the devotees; the Goddess resides with her mount lion, standing and facing right.

 

History

 

The temple holds the history of the Chola Kingdom as well. Sri Durga is installed in this temple which is believed to be installed by the Cholas. At first, the idol of the Goddess was somewhere else unknown. Cholas then brought this shrine and installed it in a separate shrine in the temple.

 

Legend

 

Patteeswaram derived its name from Patti, the girl calf of the cow Kamadhenu. The legend says that once Parasakthi was in search of a peaceful place to perform her tapas. She then found this place and started her penance.

 

Kamdhenu, the sacred cow, got to know about it and sent her daughter to help Parasakthi with everything. Lord Shiva became pleased with the penance of Parasakthi and gave her Darshan. Patti, the daughter, witnessed this, and she also installed a Shiva Linga and started worshipping it. Shiva also became pleased with the worship of Patti and blessed her; since then, the place has got its name, “Patteeswaram.”

 

Lord Rama has also been believed to have worshipped Goddess Durga here before going on his battle again Ravana.

This is also the place where Viswamithra Muni uses the Gayathri Mantra. Hence he was called “Brahma Rishi” by Saint Vasishta.

 

Devotees visit this temple on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays during Rahu kalam. This is because the Goddess here is worshipped during Rahu kalam to receive more benefits and blessings. By praying to the Goddess here, we cut our bad karma and gain the forgiving nature of the Goddess; our doshas get removed, and we attain peace in our life.