Thiruppaasoor Sri Vaaseeswarar

Thiruppaasoor (திருப்பாசூர்) village is located about 50 kms from Chennai on the road going from Thiruvallur to Thiruthani and is about 7 kms from Thiruvallur Railway Station.

Thiruppaasoor has a vast and beautiful temple for Lord Shiva. The main deity here is called Sri Vaaseeswarar and Goddess Sri Thankaadhali (தன்காதலி) Ambaal.

It is believed that the Goddess worshipped Lord Shiva here and joined him to bless the devotees at this temple.

Thiruppaasoor got its name from the ancient Thamizh word ‘Paasu’ (பாசு) which means Bamboo. It is said that the entire place was a bamboo forest during ancient days. Once the local hunters saw a cow pouring its milk on its own in the bamboo forest and they dug up the place to find this beautiful Shiva Lingam.

On hearing this, Karikaal Chozha, the then ruler of this place, had visited Thiruppaasoor and built a temple for the Lord here.

While people dug up the place, an axe like tool which was used to dig the ground hit on the Shiva Lingam and created a scar on Him. The axe like tool was called ‘Vaasi’ in Thamizh and hence the Lord here is called as Sri Vaaseeswarar.

There were about 16 ancient stone inscriptions found in this temple. According to the inscriptions, this place is referred in ancient days as Thondai Mandalathu, Eekkaadu Kottathu, Kaakkalur Naattu Thiruppaasoor.

It is also said that, Karikaal Chozha, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva had to wage a war against Kurumbars who were troubling him. Some Jain saints, who were supporting Kurumbars, made a serpent attack the king. Karikaalan surrendered the Lord here and prayed for rescue. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva tamed the serpent and saved Karikaalan.

The Lord is said to have accepted the Goddess here as ‘His love’ and hence the Goddess got her name Thankaadhali (தன்காதலி). Usually in most of the Shiva temples, we can see the Goddess shrine at the left side of the sanctum of Lord Shiva. But here, the Goddess is seen on the right side of the Lord and also facing east, which is unusual and rare.

Even today, the poojas and rituals are performed are first performed to the Goddess and then to Lord Shiva.

Upon entering the temple, one can find a group of Vinayagar (Lord Ganesha) statues. This is another rare feature of this temple. There are about 11 Ganeshas in a group at the same place and of various sizes. Here Vinayagar is called Ekadasa Vinayagar (Ekadasa means 11 in Sanskrit).

It is said that Lord Vishnu took bath here in Soma Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva to get relieved of His Dhosham. There is another shrine for Lord Shiva called ‘Vinai Theertha Easwarar’ (வினை தீர்த்த ஈஸ்வரர்), who was worshipped by Lord Vishnu.

There is a Sri Chakram in front of the sanctum, which was installed by Sri Aadhi Sankaraachaarya, for which poojas are performed regularly. Sri Subramanyar, Sri Somaskandhar & Navagrahas are found in the praakaaram. Sri Dhakshinamurthy has a small separate mandapam facing South. Sri Lingothbavar is found behind the sanctum.

Sri Vishnu Durgai, Sri Veerabadhrar and Sorna Bhairavar are found at the northern side of the praakaaram.

Thirunaavukkarasar, Thirugnaana Sambandar & Ramalinga Vallalaar have visited this temple and have sung praises on the Lord here.

There is a beautiful 4 pillared Urchava Mandapam at the outer praakaaram used for rituals during festivals.

It is said that, apart from Sri Ambaal, many sages and saints like Maarkandeyar, Brighu, Roma Rishi, Bharadhwajar, Kaasyapar, Vashishtar, Naaradhar, Sugar, Abhimanyu, Viswamithrar and Vyaasar have worshipped Sri Vaaseeswarar here.

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is Bamboo and there are two Theerthams for this temple; Soma Theertham and Mangala Theertham.

The wonderful scenic view of the temple from the roadside itself is sure to attract anyone to visit and have the Dharshan of the Lord.

Patteeswaram Sri Durgai

Patteeswaram is situated just 8 kms from Kumbakonam. Sri Durgai shrine is very popular here.

Originally Patteeswaram is known for the Shiva Temple called Sri Dhenupureeswarar temple located here. Goddess is Gnanambikai.

Patteeswaram got its name as, Patti, daughter (calf) of sacred cow Kamadhenu worshipped here. According to legend, Parasakthi wanted to perform Thapas and was trying to locate a peaceful place. She found this place and started her Thapas.

Knowing this, Kamadhenu, sent her daughter to be of help to Parasakthi during the Thapas. Lord Shiva, pleased with the Devi’s Thapas gave Dharshan to her here and assumed the name, Gabardeeswarar.

On seeing this, Patti who was helping Devi for her Thapas, also installed a Shiva Linga and started worshipping Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva was pleased with her worship and blessed Patti here and hence the place got named after Patti as Patteeswaram.

Once, Thirugnaana Sambandar came walking down to Patteeswaram to have the dharshan of Lord Shiva. As it was hot summer, he was finding it difficult with scorching heat. Lord Shiva, realizing Sambandar’s pain, ordered his Bhoodha Ganas to hold a Muthu Pandhal (Umbrella woven with pearls) along the way to the temple, so that Sambandar can walk in the shadow.

Also Lord Shiva was too eager to see Sambandar. He was looking at the way to the temple from his Sanctum. As Nandhi was sitting in front of the Lord, he couldn’t view properly. And Lord Shiva ordered Nandhi to move a bit, so that his view is not obstructed and Nandhi obeyed. Sambandar with overwhelming joy, sung 10 hymns on Lord Shiva here.

Even today, one can see Nandhi facing a bit away from the Lord.

Sri Durga (also called Vishnu Durga) in this temple has been installed by Cholas. Originally Sri Durga was in some other place unattended. Cholas brought her here and have made a separate shrine for her here. Now Sri Durga temple has gained more importance than the Dhenupureeswarar temple as most of the devotees throng here.

Patteeswaram is located near Pazhaiyaarai where Raja Raja Chola was born and brought up. It is said that the Cholas before taking any decision or before any battle, worshipped Goddess Durga here and proceeded.

Lord Rama has worshipped Sri Durga Devi here before moving towards Sri Lanka for his war against Ravana.

It is also said that Sage Viswamithra, got enlightened with Gayathri Mantra in this place and was conferred with the title “Brahma Rishi” by Saint Vasishta.

Sri Durga is seen with three eyes, eight hands holding weapons and her legs rested on Demon king Mahishasura.

Though the Goddess here is with weapons etc., her face is with full of grace and mercy like a mother blessing children.

A wonderful temple in which Goddess grants the wishes of her children.