TWIN ANJANEYAS OF SRI GOPINATHA SWAMY TEMPLE, PATTESWARAM, KUMBAKONAM,
TAMIL
NADU
gk kaushik
Pazhaiyaarai
Pazhaiyaarai very near Kumbakonam was once the capital of the Cholas in
the 9th century. And the area around Pazhaiyaarai had many important temples
built by the various Chola Kings during there time. Today there are few ruins
of the then great spectacular temples in this once capital town of the great
Chola kingdom. Sri Somanathar temple, Vadatali alias Vallalaar temple,
Keezattai, Metrali is the few examples of the archeological value in the
present Pazhaiyaarai. There are many temples which had been sung by the Sivet
saints and are known as Tevara Talams. The temples at Patteeswaram,
Satthi Mutham, Darasuram, Thirunalloor are few Tevara Talams adjusting
the Pazhaiyaarai. Even after shifting of the capital to Thanjavur the kings
of Chola dynasty had continued to show their interest in Pazhaiyaarai.
The area around present Pazhaiyaarai, Pattiswaram, Satthi Mutham, were the
then Pazhaiyaarai Many temples had been built around the Pazhaiyaarai during
ninth century and then twelve-thirteenth century by the Chola kings many of
them had Lord Shiva as presiding deity, where is there was one temple built
by them for Lord Vishnu.
Sri Gopinatha Swamy temple
One
such spectacular and grand temple of yester year near Patteeswaram is Sri
Gopinatha Swamy temple. It is said to have had seven raja gopurams (towers)
in different directions, and was spread in huge area. The temple had been
well taken care off and maintained by the different Cholas including
Kolothunga III. Different kings other then Cholas had also added many
structures and built additional mandaps (halls) to the temple. Even
after the vandal of the temple by Malikaffur, the Vijayanagara kings had
renovated the temple. Today the temple is in shambles. The main raja gopuram
facing Patteeswaram is of two tire and remains of the original seven tire
tower, and shrubs had grown on the towers. There is a structural remains of
the another tower just in the back of the main temple. The main temple
housing Sri Gopinatha Swamy along with His consort Sri Rukmani and Sri
Satyabhama itself requires lot of repairs. The temple is under administrative
control of Establishment Officer, Pattiswaram.
Sri Anjaneya and Sri Bhima
While much could be talked about the temple there an interesting legend
to this place connecting Sri Anjaneya Swamy and Sri Bhima. This place once
had a beautiful tank surrounded by banana trees. The tank is unique since
here every day a water Lilly with one thousand petals use to bloom spreading
the fragrance everywhere. Sri Anjaneya Swamy once was meditating Sri Rama
nama tharagam sitting on the bank of the tank. Sri Bhima on the request
of his wife Sri Drupathi went on search of such flower, and had traced the
fragrance to this site.
He saw a monkey sitting with his big long tail on the way to tank and asked
the monkey to give way to the great hero Bhima. Sri Anjaneya felt that Bhima
is speaking in the tone of arrogance, he needs to be tamed down. Sri Anjaneya
told that he is old and could not lift his tail therefore Bhima can help
himself by putting the tail out of the way. Thinking that the old monkeys'
tail could be lifted with ease, Bhima tried and failed once. He now had put
all his energy together and tried and again failed. Bhima then realised that
the monkey is no ordinary monkey, and could be Sri Anjaneya.
Seeing that Bhima had realised his mistake and in act of repentance offered
pranams to Sri Anjaneya, Sri Anjaneya revealed to him, His roopa. Sri
Anjaneya had then offered him the Sahasrathala Pankajam- flower with
thousand petals to Bhima.
Sri Anjaneya Swamy of this temple
There
are many temples with Sri Anjaneya as the main deity this temple has Sri
Gopinatha Swamy as the main deity. But today this temple is known for the
twin Anjaneya Swamy deity it houses. This twin Anjaneya swamis are housed in
a separate sannathi for devotees to worship. The renovation of this
huge temple is a big task involving efforts, convergence of man and material
power. The main plank for which had been provided by the twin Anjaneyas of
this temple. Probably since the effort required is more, Sri Anjaneya is
present in the temple in twin. This is the kshetra where Sri Anjaneya
had meet Bhima in dwapara yuga when Sri Gopinatha Swamy (Sri Krishna)
was Bhimas' mentor. Therefore Sri Anjaneya probably found it to be befitting
to originate the renovation of this ancient temple. Both the deities of Sri
Anjaneya look alike, holding Sahasrathala Pankajam in their left hand
while with their raised right had they bless the devotees of Abhya.
Sri Anjaneya of this kshetra is storehouse of energy, compassion, and kindness.
[Ed. October 2007]
