Perur Pateeswarar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Coimbatore International Airport at Peelamedu is about 15 km from Coimbatore city centre. Perur is in western Coimbatore, so the distance from the airport to the temple can differ from this figure.

• By train

  Coimbatore has three main railway stations: Coimbatore Junction, Coimbatore North and Podanur. Podanur is about 9 km from the city centre.

Why devotees come here

Perur Pateeswarar Temple stands on the bank of the Noyyal River, in western Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Its main deity is a Swayambu Lingam, and the poets Arunagirinathar and Kachiappa Munivar patronised the temple.

Shiva is worshipped here as Pateeswarar, together with his consort Pachainayaki, who is Parvati. The main deity is a Swayambu Lingam. The temple is believed to be one of the places where Shiva performed the Ananda Thandavam, his dance.

The Chola emperor Karikala is said to have built the temple in the 2nd century CE. Imperial Cholas added work in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. The temple now has several gopurams and halls. The Kanaka Sabha hall holds a golden statue of Nataraja, and the pillars are carved with Shiva in his many forms.

The temple stands on the bank of the Noyyal River. Poets Arunagirinathar and Kachiappa Munivar were among those who patronised it. The temple is known for its one-stone sculptures. In 2012 the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Metropolis and HR&CE organised Natyanjali, a classical dance event, here.

Festivals

• Every year in the month of PanguniPanguni Uthiram

  A temple chariot is paraded through the area as part of the celebration.

• In the month of AaniAani seedling planting festival

  The festival centres on planting seedlings.

Tips for your visit

• Look closely at the pillars, which are carved with Shiva in his different forms.
• Look for the Kanaka Sabha hall, which holds the golden Nataraja.

Questions people ask