Image title: Figure 1. Durgai Amman temple entrance Rajagopuram

Patteesvaram is a village, eight kilometres from Kumbakonam in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. “The village was named after Patti, the calf of Kamadhenu, the divine cow in Hindu mythology who worshipped the Lord here.” This temple is an annexe to the Dhenupurisvarar temple where the deity is a Svayambhu Lingam [Linga]. “The goddess here is known by several names like Visnu Durgai, Navasakti Durgai, Durga Laksmi, Navayoga Nayaki, Navakoti Nayaki, Navagraha Nayaki, and Navaratri Nayaki. Durgai Amman here is of Santa Svarupa. The lion is on left side here. She is here Astabhuja and Trinetra. This image was brought from Chola Maligai.”

“In the Dhenupurisvarar temple, the main deity is Pattisvarar or Dhenupurisvarar and Amman Jnanambikai or Palvalai Nayaki is the goddess.” This is a typical Chola temple with lots of beautiful and intrinsic sculptures, pillars and Mandapas [Mandapams]. It is spread over 4.4 acres with four Rajagopuras [Rajagopurams] in four directions. There are three Prakaras [Prakarams] inside the temple. In the north side is the Durgai Amman temple.

Gallery information:

Kumbakonam is considered as one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu and is known for its temples and Mathas (monasteries which were centres of Brahmanical learning). These photographs depict the connection between the sculptures in the temples and Natya Shastra and related texts dealing with iconography.