Sri Gopinath Perumal Temple, Pattiswaram

Address

Sri Gopinath Perumal Temple, Pattiswaram, Kumbakonam Taluk Thanjavur District –

Diety

Gopinath Perumal, Amman: Sathyabama, Rukmini

Introduction

Gopinatha Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Patteeswaram in Kumbakonam Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is situated close to Patteeswaram Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Gopinatha Perumal. He is gr acing the devotees along with his consorts Rukmini and Sathyabama. This Temple is situated on the western side and outside Patteeswaram. This Temple is facing towards east. The Temple covers an area of about 2.5 acres. The temple is said to have had seven gopurams (towers) in different directions The Temple is in complete ruins. The Rajagopuram is said to have been consisted of 7 tiers but only two tiers remains. There is a structural remains of another tower can be seen on the western side. Presiding Deity is called as Gopinatha Perumal. He is housed in the sanctum along with his consorts Rukmini and Sathyabama. All are facing towards east. There is a stucco image of Lord Vishnu flanked by Krishna and Rama at back side of the presidingdeity. There is a separate north facing shrine for twin Anjaneya in the temple premises. Both the idols holds Sahasrathala Pankajam in their left hand and right hand shows Abhaya Hastha.

Puranic Significance

The city of Pazhayarai was one of the capital towns of the Chola Empire. It consisted of present Patteeswaram, Muzhaiyur, Udaiyalur, Cholan Maligai, Thirusakthimutram, Darasuram and Ramanathan Koil. Pazhayarai is surrounded by the river Mudikondan on the south and the river Thirumalairayan on the north. This town was also a capital for few years during later Cholas. Sundara Chola, father of great Rajaraja Chola I ruled Chola Dynasty from Pazhayarai. Pazhayarai was called as Pazhayarai Nagar in the 7 th century, Nandipuram in the 8 th century, Pazhayarai Nandipuram in the 9 During Devaram times, Pazhayarai was divided into four major division namely; Pazhayarai Vadathali, Metrali, Keezhthali and Thenthali. Thali means Temple in ancient Tamil. Kailasanathar Temple was situated in Metrali, Dharmapureeswarar Temple in Vadathali, Somanathar Temple in Keezhthali and Parasunathaswamy Temple in Thenthali. Thenthali is called as Muzhaiyur now. Dharmapureeswarar Temple in Vadathali is the Padal Petra Sthalam and the other three temples are Thevara Vaippu Sthalam. Before Vijayalaya Chola could set up his capital in Thanjavur (850 B.C.) and lay the foundation for the powerful Chola Empire that followed, the Chola kings were the chieftains in Pazhayarai. It was in this metropolis that Raja Rajan (985 – 1014) spent his childhood and where his sister Kundavai lived withher husband. King Rajendran I (1012 – 1044) lived here before shifting his capital to Gangai Konda Chola Puram. Several temples had been built around the Pazhayarai between 9 th Century and 13th Century by the Chola kings. Most of them were dedicated to Lord Shiva, this Temple is the only temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. th and 10th centuries, Mudikonda Cholapuram in the 11th century and Rajarajapuram in the 12th century. Pazhayarai housed four battle camps of the Cholas namely Aariyapadaiyur, Pampapadaiyur, Manapadaiyur and Puthupadaiyur. Pazhayarai was considered as birthplace of Amaraneedi Nayanar and Mangayarkkarasiyar, a saint amongst the 63 Nayanmars. The temple was destroyed during Islamic invasion and was again renovated by the Vijayanagar kings. The temple is dilapidated state.

Special Features

Sahasrathala Pankajam: Once, the place where the temple is located had a beautiful tank surrounded by banana trees.The tank is unique and sacred since Sahasrathala Pankajam (a water Lilly with one thousand petals) bloom here every day spreading its fragrance everywhere. Bheema was in search of this flower on the request of his wife Draupadi. Finally, he found the locating by tracing its fragrance. Bhima saw a monkey sitting on the banks of tank and its long tail blocking the way to tank. The monkey was none other than Lord Anjaneya meditating Rama Nama at the banks of the tank. He ordered the monkey to give way to him. Anjaneya disliked the arrogant way of Bhima asking and decided to teach him a lesson. So, Anjaneya informed Bhima that he is too old to lift his tail and hence requested Bhima to help himself by putting the tail out of the wayBhima thought it was easier job to lift old monkey’s tail. Bhima tried and to his utter dismay, he could not able to lift it. He had put all his energy to lift the tail and failed miserably. Finally, Bhima realized the monkey is none other than Lord Anjaneya. He worshipped him and sought pardon for his mistake. Anjaneya provided him his Vishwaroopa darshan and offered the Sahasrathala Pankajam to Bhima. Lord appeared as Krishna to Arjuna and as Rama to Hanuman: This is a unique place where Lord appeared as Sri Krishna to Arjuna and as Sri Rama to Hanuman.