Palur Pathangeeswarar Temple, Chengalpattu

Address

Palur, Chengalpattu Taluk,

Chengalpattu District – 603 101

Phone: +91 44 2743 7011

Mobile: +91 97914 32068 / 90429 00317

Moolavar

Pathangeeswarar / Thirupathanga Mudaiyar / Thiruppatangadudaiya Mahadevar / Bala Pathangeeswarar

Amman

Brahmarambigai / Vandar Kuzhali.

Introduction

Location: Pathangeeswarar Temple is located in Palur Village, Chengalpattu Taluk, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.
Presiding Deity: Lord Shiva, worshipped as Pathangeeswarar, also known as Thirupathanga Mudaiyar, Thiruppatangadudaiya Mahadevar, and Bala Pathangeeswarar.
Mother Goddess: Brahmarambigai or Vandar Kuzhali.
Significance: The temple is situated on the northern bank of the Palar River.

Puranic Significance

Historical Background: The temple is believed to have been constructed by the Pallavas and later converted into a granite structure by Kulothunga Chola I.
Inscriptions: The temple contains 18 inscriptions, the earliest being a record of a tax-free land sale for the maintenance of a matha, and others detailing royal donations and orders for temple maintenance during the Chola and Vijayanagara periods.
Legend: According to legend, Lord Surya (the Sun) worshipped Lord Shiva here to rid himself of graha dosham (planetary afflictions), as advised by Lord Vishnu. Surya is also referred to as Pathangan, and thus Lord Shiva is called Pathangeeswarar, and the place is named Thirupathangadu.
Temple Tank: The temple’s Surya Pushkarini (temple tank) is believed to have been created by Lord Surya during his worship.

Special Features

Age: The temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old.
Entrance Arch: The temple has an entrance arch featuring a stucco image of Rishabaroodar (Lord Shiva and Parvati seated on Nandi).
Nandi Mandapa: Nandi is housed in a four-pillared Mandapa, with pillars made of sandstone, each adorned with lion sculptures.
Rajagopuram: The second-level Rajagopuram is a single-tier structure that provides access to the outer prakaram.
Sanctum Sanctorum: The sanctum consists of the Sanctum, Antrala, Maha Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam, and Mukha Mandapam. The sanctum is accessed from the southern side, and the Mukha Mandapa was constructed during the Vijayanagara period. Stucco Dwarapalakas (guardians) can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum.
Presiding Deity: Pathangeeswarar is worshipped in the form of a Shiva Lingam, facing east. Koshta Idols of Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, and Vishnu Durga are located around the sanctum.
Mother Goddess Shrine: Brahmarambigai or Vandar Kuzhali is housed in a separate shrine in the outer prakaram, where she is depicted with four hands. Her mount, lion, and Balipeedam are placed in front of her shrine.
Lord Murugan Shrine: A shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan is located in the inner prakaram, to the left of the sanctum. The idol of Murugan is six feet tall and sits on a peacock mount with his consorts Valli and Devasena. This idol is sculpted from a single piece of sandstone.
Navagrahas Shrine: A shrine for the Navagrahas (nine planets) was added at a later stage. This was not part of the original temple as the worship of Lord Surya (the Sun) was predominant in the temple’s early history.
Other Shrines: There are shrines for Vinayaga, Kala Bhairava, Surya, and Navagrahas in the outer prakaram. Additionally, an abandoned hero stone (Nadukal), dedicated to a fallen warrior who committed Navakandam (self-sacrifice), can be found outside the temple grounds.

Festivals

Margazhi Thiruvadhirai: A festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January).
Aippasi Annabishekam: Special anointing performed during the month of Aippasi (October–November).
Karthigai Deepam: A festival dedicated to Lord Murugan, celebrated during the month of Karthigai (November–December).
Panguni Uthiram: The divine wedding of Lord Murugan with Valli and Devasena.
Masi Magam: A significant festival that takes place during the Tamil month of Masi (February–March).