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 It is said that the Chola land is never dry. This is because the Kaveri flows through the region, making it fertile. One such fertile place located between Thanjavur and Kumbakonam is Thirupattiswaram, a temple devoted to Dhenupureeswaraswami. He is also called
Pattiswaran.
Legend says that Rameswaram, Pattiswaram and Vedaranyam are the three divine places blessed by the presence of Sri Rama. These three temples are also called Mahakshetrams. It is widely believed since the days of Ramayana that Rama had installed a Siva linga here. The reason behind the same goes as follows:
Ravana was a Brahmin and a staunch Siva devotee. He was also an accomplished vainika. These good qualities are called 'Chaya'. Therefore, to kill a person with so many good aspects would be a sin. In order to absolve Himself from the sin, Rama installed a linga and performed Siva pooja here. As a mark of memory to Sri Rama, the linga worshipped by Him is called Ramalinga, and the well is called Koti
theertham.
There are five huge gopurams and three prakarams in the temple. The first prakaram has the 'moolavar' Pattiswaran. Outside the same is a shrine each for Vinayaka, Somasundaram, Amman, Thirugnanasambandar. Also seen are Dakshinamoorthi, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Durga, Saptakannikai and Gajalakshmi. In the northern direction is the Arupattumoovar mandapam, where there are plenty of statues. There is a shrine for Gnanambikai inside one of the mandapams. This mandapam is built in the Nayak style of architecture.
Among the other interesting features in the temple are Alankara mandapam, Vanni maram, Thirugnanamadam, Nandavanam and Deepamandapam. There are many theerthams in this temple, namely Gnanavavi theertham, Kodi theertham, Tirumalairajan tank (which is a tributary of Kaveri and Teppakulam). There is a tank made by Viswamitra called 'Gayatri kulam'. There is a Durga statue that guards the fortress. The Goddess is called 'Kottai Vaayil Durgai'. There is a myth that the kings obtained orders from a Vinayaka installed here and the God came to be known as Aagnya
Vinayaka.
 The temple is also called 'Pancha Nandi kshetram', because all the Nandis are situated away from the sannidhis. There is a carving of the battle between Vali and Sugriva in the pillars. Among the paintings, one can spot the Pattabhishekam of Rama. 'Vaikasi Visakam' is celebrated in the temple in grandeur. The Panchamurthis are taken out in a 'vahanam'. In the Tamil month of Aani is the 'Muthupandal' festival. This is to mark the offering of a muthu pandal to Thirugnanasambandar by Siva. This is the most important festival of the temple. During the month of Margazhi too, the temple is busy with activity.
The temple is open on all days from 6 am to 9 pm. The poojas are performed everyday at six different hours, starting from 6 am.
S.Sowmya
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