Shri Gopinatha Perumal Vinnagaram -Pazhayarai - at Patteswaram in Kumbakonam

For the fans of Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan like me the name of Pazhayarai (old house/dwelling),Chozhan maligai evoke waves of pleasure and vivid memories of the Cholas especially Princess Kundavai who had her palace in in Pazhaya arai (Old dwelling). This was Emperor Sundara Chola's palace.The residue of those days sadly is seen in the ruins of this temple. Though the many Shiva Temples around still exist like Metralinathar  temple  even today, this temple is in ruins and in need of attention urgently. It is the only Vishnu Temple in this Chola capital.
How to Reach:
On the Tanjore Kumbakonam road in the outskirts of Kumbakonam about 7 kms before is the road to patteswaam, The first kilometer houses the ruins of this temple

Entrance of the Rajagopuram

Legends and stories:

The grand father of Tamil ( Thamizh thatha) Sri U,Swaminatha Iyer referred to this temple as "Dwaraka of the South". It used to have a 7 tiered Raja gopuram and was housing the shrine for Krishna Rukmini and Sathyabhama, sadly only the main sanctum remains,

It was the place where Bhima saw Anjaneya and the famous realisation of who he was stuck Bheema

                                            

                                                    view from inside the Rajagopuram

main sanctum with enclosure for Anjaneya seen on the left

These are two salvaged Anjeneyas seen in a enclosure in front of the main sanctum

Dual Anjeneyas

View of the Rajagopuram from inside

View of the rear Gopuram

It is a monument that needs to be preserved and rebuilt to its old glory.

Sri Dhenupureeshwarar temple Patteeswaram- famous Durga and a PadalPetra sthalam

Right in the middle of Kumbakonam this magnificent temple is one of the major attractions.it is more famous as the Durga temple as it houses one of the magnificent Vishnu durgas in its outer praharam.

The Lord of this temple Sri Dhenupureeshwarar ( one who was worshipped by a cow) wanted to see the full majesty of Sri Thirugnana sambandar the boy saint and hence asked Nandi to  stand aside 

How to reach:

The temple is in the south-western part of kumbakonam and  is easily reached on the road to papanasam

Legends of this temple:

The sage Vishwamitra obtained the Gayathri Mantra in this temple only.This was the Ashram of Sage Vashishta who was the custodian of the Divine cow Kamadhenu and he finally conferred the title of Brahma Rishi on Vishwamitra here.

When Parvati selected this place to do thapas for attaining Lord Shiva the divine Cow Kamadhenu sent her calf  - named Patti to help Parvathi.Seeing Parvathi the calf Patti also got inspired and built a mud lingam and started worshipping Shiva by dropping her milk on the linga.Pleased Shiva blessed her and this place was then called as Patteshwaram where Shiva gave a vision to Patti

Devotees pray to Mother Durga for relief from the adverse aspects of serpent planets Rahu and Ketu during the Rahu Kalam times, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays in particular and on new moon, full moon, Ashtami and Navami days and for child and wedding boons and from the adverse aspect of Mars-Sevvai planet.

View of the main Eastern gopuram

Inside the first praharm with the durga temple facing north seen on the right side below

 

The Durga temple complex has multiple statues and the main Goddess has 4 arms and is about 6 foot tall and is on a Mahisha

 

The temple legend with a picture of the main durga

The Shiva temple complex has a huge Shiva Lingam facing east and the atmosphere when I visited at 7 AM was  serene

The usual koshta vigrahas

The Ambal Palvali Nayaki has a seperate sannidhi facing South and is about 4feet tall. The sculptures in the ambal sannidhi are nice and thought provoking