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

Pathangeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Palur Village in Chengalpattu Taluk in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Pathangeeswarar / Thirupathanga Mudaiyar / Thiruppatangadudaiya Mahadevar / Bala Pathangeeswarar and Mother is called as Brahmarambigai / Vandar Kuzhali. The temple is situated on the northern bank of river Palar.

Puranic Significance

This temple is believed to be built Pallavas and converted to granite edifice by Kulothunga Chola I. There are about 18 inscriptions available in this temple. The earliest inscriptions are found on the western and southern walls of the sanctum. The first inscription starts with his Meikeerthi and records a sale of tax free land by the Uravar of Palaiyur (Rajendra Chozha Nallur) in Palaiyur Nadu, a subdivision of Utrukattu Kottam in Jayangondachozha Mandalam, to a native of Rajendra Chozhapuram in Maiyur Nadu of Kalathur Kottam and to a native of Kanchipuram, for the maintenance of a matha called Valmaravan Matha established by them for feeding brahmins and saints. The second one also starts with his Meikeerthi and records a gift of oil for a perpetual lamp in the temple of Thiruppatangadudaiya Mahadevar of Rajendra Chozha Nallur in Palaiyur Nadu, made by the Nagarathars of Rajendra Chozhapuram in Maiyur Nadu, a subdivision of Kalathur Kottam. There is another inscription dated to the 29th regnal year of Kulothunga Chola III found in the Ardha Mandapam in front of the sanctum. It records his exploits in Madurai, Karuvur and Srilanka. It registers the royal orders issued at the instance of one Nayidaraiyar, remitting certain taxes on some devadana lands belonging to the temple of Thirupathangadu Udaiyar for worship and repairs. The document is signed by nine officers including the royal secretary.

The Ardha Mandapam houses several inscriptions dating back to the reigns of Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola III, Rajaraja Chola III, Kadava Chieftains and Vijayanagara Kings. The inscription of Vikrama Chola dated to his fifth regnal year records the provision for feeding the brahmins in a matha called Acharasilan Matha on Amavasya days by a resident of Kurichi in Pandikulasani Valanadu. One of the Vijayanagara records mentions that provision was made for repairs and maintenance of the temple and also the wages paid to the dancers and drummers of the temple.

As per legend, Lord Suryan (Sun) worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple to get rid of graha dosham as per the advice of Lord Vishnu. Lord Surya is also known as Pathangan. Hence, Lord Shiva of this temple came to be called as Pathangeeswarar and the place came to be called as Thirupathangadu. It is said that the temple tank Surya Pushkarini was created by Lord Surya during his worship here.

Special Features

The Temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old.This templeis facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco image of Rishabaroodar (Lord Shiva and Parvathy sitting on Rishaba). Nandi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the entrance arch. Here Nandi is depicted with its face turning sideway

Nandi is housed in a four pillared Mandapa. The pillars of Nandi Mandapa are made of sand stone. All these pillars have lion sculpture.

The outer prakaram is accessed through the second level Rajagopuram. This Rajagopuram is of single tier. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Maha Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. The Sanctum can be accessed from the southern side. The mukha mandapa was built during Vijayanagara period. Stucco Dwarapalakas can be seen guarding the entrance of the sanctum.

Presiding Deity is called as Pathangeeswarar / Thirupathangamudaiyar / Thiruppatangadudaiya Mahadevar / Balapathangeeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. The Vimana over the sanctum is of two tiers.

Mother is called as Brahmarambigai / Vandarkuzhali. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine in the outer prakaram. Her shrine consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. She is in standing posture. She is depicted with four hands. Her upper hands holding Rudraksha Mala and Kamandala and her lower hands show Abhaya and Varada Hastha. Her mount, lion and Balipeedam can be seen in front of her shrine.

There is a shrine for Lord Murugan in the inner prakaram. This shrine is facing towards north and situated towards left side of the sanctum. His idol is about six feet tall. He is depicted with six faces sitting on his peacock mount flanked by his consorts Valli & Devasena with a Thiruvasi behind. All these are chiseled from single sand stone. His mount peacock and Balipeedam are situated on outer prakaram due to the additional walls built at later stage for covering the sides of Mukha Mandapa.

This additional wall also obstructs the circumbulatory path around the sanctum. There is a shrine for Nalvar in the inner prakaram. Sundarar idol is not matching with this traditional depiction. His crown is missing in this idol. Initially, Nalvar shrine was situated in the outer prakaram and later got shifted to the inner prakaram. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Kala Bhairava, Surya and Navagrahas in the outer prakaram.

There was no Navagrahas shrine in olden days as Suryan worshipped Lord Shiva here and current Navagrahas shrine was added in later stage. There is an abandoned sculpture of a warrior in the ground outside the compound wall on the southeast corner of the temple. He is seen cutting his head with his own sword. This practice is known as Navakandam as per ancient scriptures.

This is a hero stone (Nadukal) erected in honor of the fallen warrior. There is a Vinayaga shrine situated outside the temple premises. This Shrine is facing towards sanctum. Elephant is the mount here instead of his traditional mouse. Theertham associated with this temple is Surya Pushkarini. It is situated to the south of the temple near the railway line.