Pattamangalam Dakshinamurthy Temple, Sivaganga

Address

Pattamangalam, Sivaganga District,

Tamil Nadu – 630204

Phone: + 91- 4577 – 262 023

Moolavar

Dakshinamurthy

Amman

Navayadi kali

Introduction

Pattamangalam Dakshinamurthy Temple is one of the most famous temples in south for Lord Dakshinamoorthy. Lord Shiva is the Moolavar, goddess Umadevi is graced as Navayadi kali. This temple is just 8 kms from Sivaganga and 9 kms South of Thiruppathur. It is one of the main Guru Temples of Tamilnadu. There is a separate temple of Parvathi devi at a few hundred meters from the main temple. This is the 33rd Thiruvilayadal (holy play) of Lord Shiva that took place here. Outside the main temple, there is a temple for Ashtamaa Siddhi Subramanyar alias Thayumanavar. Pattamangalam is the place where Kadamba rishi had his ashram at Kadambavanam (Madurai and Pattamangalam were once filled with Kadamba trees; the sthala Vriksham of Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple is Kadamba tree). He is closely associated with the legend of Thirukoshtiyur Divya Desam nearby. Pattamangalam is just 8 km from Sivaganga and Tirupathur. Buses are available from Tirupathur every 30 minutes. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sivaganga and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.

Puranic Significance

Once the demon Hiranyakasipu disturbed Kadamba rishi and so the rishi cursed the demon that once the demon comes to his place, it will be the end for him. He is present here in a separate shrine in the form of “Adaikalam Katha Ayyanar” with all his parivara deities under the Erazhinjil tree. He is called so since he gave the refuge to devas when they were suffering due to Hiranyakasipu. To the east of the temple is the Thiruvilayadal Garden and Pathinettaampadi (18 steps) Karuppar shrine. Devotees circumambulate the shrine of Lord Dakshinamoorthy and the banyan tree 108 times for happy life and blessed with good health, wishes, children and prosperity.

Lord was telling Shiva stories to sage Brungi and Nandi Deva. Kruthika maidens – Nidardani, Aparakendi, Dekanthi, Vardhayendhi, Amba and Thula came there and begged Lord that they too may be gifted with the Ashtama Siddhi art. Lord Shiva was reluctant. Mother Umadevi recommended favoring the Kruthika maidens. But the maidens did not listen to the teaching, their attention elsewhere, thus lost a golden opportunity of learning this rare art. Angry Shiva cursed them to become rocks in Pattamangalam. The maidens fell at his feet and sought a relief from the curse. Lord said that they would be rocks for 1000 years and he would come there from Madurai and grant the relief. The relief came in time at Pattamangai. Now the place is known as Pattamangalam. While cursing the maidens, Lord also cursed Mother Uma for her recommendation then to the undeserved. She is gracing in the temple as Navayadi Kali. After a severe penance, Mother too was relieved of her curse. She appears now with all smiles.

Beliefs

People circumambulate the shrine of Lord Dakshinamurthy and the banyan tree 108 times to make their life happier without any evil remaining or peeping again and blessed with all wishes, children and prosperity. Usual abishek and aaradhanas and vastras are offered to Lord. Devotees circumambulate the temple thrice to realize their wish, 5 times to succeed in efforts, 7 times to become noble and develop high ideals and peace of mind, 9 for a child, 11 for longevity, 15 for prosperity and 1008 times to win in love affairs and get the girl of their choice.

Special Features

The Temple is believed to be 1500 years old. The presiding deity is Sundareswarar and Meenakshi Amman but the temple is more popular as Guru temple. Lord Dakshinamoorthy is present in a separate shrine and is very uniquely facing East (normally he faces South) and this is the only temple where Lord Dakshinamoorthy is facing East. At the back of the Dakshinamoorthy shrine is the huge sacred banyan tree, well spread out with many hanging roots. People do 108 circumambulation of the tree to get boons. There is a separate sanctum for Guru Bhagwan in this place. At the back of Guru temple we see a group of Banyan trees and pushkarani.

The temple has the Banyan tree as the sthala vriksha and the sacred tank is Pottramarai as in Meenakshi temple in Madurai. Lord Dakshinamurthy shrine is outside the temple separately. Lord Dakshinamurthy graces here in sitting Veerasana posture, smiling, fair in complexion, wearing crescent moon and kondrai flower, holding Agni in the upper right hand, Gnana Mudra in the lower right hand, a serpent in the left upper hand and placing the lower left hand on his lap. Lord Vishnu graces as a Varaha-Swine one of his avatars and Lord Brahamma as a swan. Also Pattamangalam is the place where Lord Shiva staged his Thiruvilayadal – playing some role for the protection and benefit of his devotees. In the inner space behind the Shivalinga, Lord Shanmugha Natha appears with five heads accompanied by his consorts Valli and Deivanai facing east. This is the only temple in India in Pattamangalam with Lord Dakshinamurthy facing east.

Festivals

The temple observes the Aaru Kala Puja system – six time pujas a day – as per Shivagama rules. Vinayaka Chathurthi in August-September; Navarathri in September-October; Karthikai Deepam in November-December; Masi Magam and Shivrathri in February-March and Pradosha pujas are devotionally observed in the temple.