Perur Siva Temple, Coimbatore| Mel Chidambaram Perur Pateeswara Temple

Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Coimbatore Overview

Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple, or the Perur Pateeswarar Temple, is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Patteeswarar located at a distance of 9 kilometres from the city of Coimbatore. The grand temple has immense religious, cultural and historical importance for the followers and devotees of Lord Patteeswarar who visit from all over the world to offer their prayers. This temple is also commonly known as the temple dedicated to Lord Nataraj. The ancient artwork, paintings, sculptures and carvings attract art lovers too. Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple is also one of the biggest temples in Coimbatore.

Tourists can explore the temple and observe its splendid artwork which is a specimen of ancient art and traditional architecture. Many devotees often claim a visit to the temple gives them a positive vibe and helps them reinvent themselves. The idol of Lord Patteeswarar is seen with a scar on his head that was given by Kamdhenu, and her footprint is also preserved inside the temple. A truly mesmerising one, do take some time out to visit the attraction when exploring Coimbatore.

How To Reach Perur Pateeswarar Temple

Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple is easily accessible by a well-maintained road. It is located in Perur which is at a distance of 9 kilometres from Coimbatore. Taxis, Government run buses or Private Vehicles are the best forms of transportation in Coimbatore. Tourists need to take the route via Chokkampudur road from Coimbatore to reach the temple.

Architecture of Perur Pateeswarar Temple

Perur Pateeswarar Temple Coimbatore — Source

Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple was built according to the ancient traditional temple architecture of the 11th Century. The features include temple gateways or gopurams, the sanctum sanctorum housing an idol of Lord Nataraja and several halls with pillars. The entire structure is intricately carved and has paintings all over the walls and the ceilings. The pillars, in particular, have carvings that depict the various manifestations of Lord Shiva.

A special feature of the magnificent temple is the series of stone chains on the ceiling. Inside the complex, there are shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesh and a Swayambhu Shivalinga devoted to Lord Shiva. Statues of some deities are also sculpted inside the temple including Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Veena. The temple complex also has a tamarind tree inside the premise.

Cultural and Religious Significance of Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple

Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple Coimbatore — Source

According to a Hindu Legend, Kamdhenu, the mother of all cows, had a calf that discovered a Shivalinga while grazing in grassland. The Shivalinga was believed to be of great religious importance, and a temple was built around it. It was later sanctified by Saint Sundarar and Saint Appar in their collection of devotional poetry named 'Thevaram' and was known as the Vaipu Sthalam. The idol of Nataraja in the hall named the 'Golden Hall of Dance', or the 'Kanaka Sabhai' is believed to be manifested by the lord to the Pattimuni, Gomuni and the Rishis. Other than the Thevarams, the temple has been mentioned in several other important historical and literary works of art. Thus, the temple plays an important role in the folk art that originated in the region. Some inscriptions also provide insights into the culture, the rituals, the customs and the lifestyle and its evolution since the 11th century.