Biggest Muthu Pallaku Festival @ Pattiswaram near Kumbakonam
The presiding Deity is Dhenupuriswarar also called Pattiswarar and Goddess is called Gnanampikai also called Palvali-Nayaki. Thirugnana Sambandar visited this shrine and composed hymns in his childhood. It was a very hot day and a pearl pandhal (canopy ) was provited by god to protect him from the sun. The most important festival here is the Muthupandhal vizha (Festival of the pearl pandhal) in the Tamil month Ani. Just before this festival Gnana Pal (Holy milk) Festival, pearl pallakku, pearl Umbrella festivals takes place. The various events that took place before sambandar at various places are held as festivals here. On the day at 12 noon Sambandar will start from Thiruchattimutram with other minor deitites and come to Pattiswaram in a pearl pandhal.The hymns of Sambandar will be sung. That night the deity Pattiswarar with the Devi Gnanambikai will be stationed in a pearl vimanam while Sambanda will be housed in a pearl pandal and go round the street.
Very timely. Just yesterday in the beach meet, SPS was telling that if we ask for 'Pazhayarai' no one will know and only Patteeswaram is known to all....