Sri Gnanambiga Sametha Thenupuriswara Temple, Patteeswaram, Tamilnadu

Sri Gnanambiga Sametha Thenupuriswara Temple, Patteeswaram, Tamilnadu. It is believed that this temple belonged to the 7th century and was renovated by Cholas in the 16th century. Significance of this temple:

1. Here Lord Shiva is called as Thenupuriswarar in Shiva Ling form and Parvathi Amma is called Nyanambikai and Gnanambiga.

2. This temple is listed in the Siva Nayanar writings called Thevara Sthalam, which talks about 276 great lord shiva temples in the world.

3. It is place where lord Rama prayed lord shiva and got out of Sayagathi dosha for killing Vali.

4. Very important: In this temple, we will not see Nandi will not be straight in front of Shiva, rather it be a little aside. There is a good story behind this. Once Siva Nayanaras when they decided to visit this temple, Lord Shiva himself told Nandi and other pramathagans to decorate the streets to welcome Nayanaras, as the season was full of heat waves. After reaching the entrance of the temple Sambandara Nayanar fell sick and struggling to have the darshan of lord shiva because Nandi is between. So Lord Shiva instructed Nandi deva to move aside so that Tirugnana Sambandar can have darshan from outside. Such is the greatness of this temple.

5. Also this is the place where Parvathy Devi amma did tapas for lord shiva and got penance. Including Vishwamitra Maharshi, Markendeya and other maharishis prayed lord Shiva here.

6. All navagrahas in the temple face lord Sun in the centre, instead of being in different directions.

7. Other dieties in the temple are Sapthamatha, Mahalakshmi, Renuka, Navagraha, Surya, Chandra and Bhairava. In the same temple, lord Ganesha is installed with three different forms and names as Anugai Pillayar, Madhavarna Pillayar and Swarna Vinayagar. 8. This temple was renovated by Chola Kings.

Watch the below video to see the beauty of the temple: