- Hanuman
Sri Gopinatha Swamy Temple / Twin Anjaneyas
- Patteeswaram,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
Gopinatha Perumal temple is a huge temple that comes first in the route from Patteeswaram to Pazhayarai. Negligence of the first order has made this shrine pathetic. It is one such spectacular and grand temple of yester year near Patteeswaram. This temple is dedicated to Hanuman.
About The Temple
The temple 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 than 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.
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.
About The Deity
Lord Mahavishnu incarnate Sri Gopinatha Perumal (Sri Krishna) with his consorts Sri Sathya Bhama and Sri Rukmani are the presiding deities of this temple.
Legend and Stories
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 realized 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.
How To Reach Kumbakonam
Airport
Kumbakonam does not have an airport. Nearest airport is Civil Airport.
Railways
One can easily get regular trains to Kumbakonam from other major cities of the country.
Road
There are regular buses from other major cities of the country to Kumbakonam.
Temple Address
Sri Gopinatha Swamy Temple / Twin Anjaneyas,
Patteeswaram,
Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Salvation
- Wealth
- Relief from diseases
- Purchase of vehicles
- Gain Knowledge
Shlokas
Mano Javam , Maruda Thulya Vegam, Jithendriyam Buddhi Matham Varishtam, Vatha Atmajam Vanara Yudha Mukhyam, Sree Rama Dootham Sirasa Namami
Meaning -I bow my head to salute Rama's messenger, who has won over His mind, who is as fast as the wind, who has mastered his organs, who is the most knowledgeable, who is the wind God's son, and who leads as the chief in the army of monkeys.
Anjaneya Madhi Paatalaananam, Kanjanaadri Kamaneeya Vigraham, Paarijatha Tharu Moola Vaasinam, Bhaavayami Bhava mana Nandanam
Meaning -I bow before the wind God's darling son, Anjana's son, the great killer of ogres, who is handsome and like a golden mountain, who lives near Parijatha tree's roots.
Divya Mangala Dehaaya Peethambara Dharayacha Thaptha Kanchana Varnaaya Mangalam Shri Hanumathey
Meaning -Oh Lord Hanuman who has a mystical form, who adorns a silk garment in yellow and who looks similar to molten gold, let thy be auspiciousness.
Anjana Nandanam Veeram Janaki Soka Naasanam, Kapeesa Maksha Hantharam, Vandhe Lanka Bhayankaram
Meaning -We salute Lanka's horror, Anjana's brave son, who ended Sita's sorrows, the ruler of monkeys and the one who killed Aksha, Ravana's son.
Timings
The temple is open from 6 A.M to 9 P.M