If you are in Coimbatore on a religious tour, then Perur Pateeswarar Temple, one of the ancient temples of Lord Shiva, should be on your itinerary. The temple is located in Perur, 9 km west of Coimbatore, on the banks of the river Noyyal. The temple’s history can be dated back to 1500 years, and it is believed that the deity of the Lord Pateeswarar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, has self-emerged in the temple. In this article, we have discussed the history of Perur Pateeswarar Temple and other tourist spots in Perur that you can visit here.
The Legend Of Perur Pateeswarar Temple
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Perur Pateeswarar Temple is the second-largest temple in Coimbatore city, featuring exquisite carvings, sculptures, and paintings depicting the legends and stories of Hindu mythology. This is one of the seven Kongu Sivalayams, the seven ancient Shiva temples in the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu, and believed to be more than 2000 years old according to the ancient Tamil literature of the Sangam period. Late Chola King Karikala Cholan started the construction of the temple in the 2nd century. Later, King Raja Cholan and the Kings of Hoysala and Vijayanagara also contributed to the temple’s construction.
According to a legend, once a cowherd followed his cow to the grazing land without giving any milk and saw it was shedding its milk on a Swayambhu Lingam. This lingam was a self-manifested form of Lord Shiva under a Punnai tree. When the cowherd tried to stop the cow, Lingam got wounded and started bleeding. After the incident, he got terrified and ran away to the king, who came to the spot with his army. When the king’s army tried to remove the Lingam, it started bleeding more. The king got scared and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness. Then, Lord Shiva appeared before the king and forgave them, and blessed them. He said that he would be known as Patteeswarar, the lord of the sacred cows, and the place would be called Perur, meaning the place of the cow.
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Major Festivals Of Perur Pateeswarar Temple
Some of the major festivals that are celebrated at the Perur Pateeswarar Temple are mentioned below:
1. Maha Shivaratri
One of the essential festivals of Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Maha Shivratri, marks the day when Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. You can visit the temple to participate in the grand celebration of the festival in February or March. Many devotees visit the temple with great enthusiasm and devotion on Maha Shivratri day.
They also offer prayers, observe fasts, and perform ritual bathing called “Abhishekams” to the Lingam. Once in a lifetime, you should see how the night-long celebration of Maha Shivratri is held in this temple with devotees chanting and praising the name of Lord Shiva and four “Kala Poojas” which means the prayers are offered at four different times of the night.
2. Brahmotsavam
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A grand festival of Perur Pateeswarar Temple lasts ten days, and Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the temple in March or April. This is one of the best times to visit the Temple, as you can participate in the Brahmotsavam festivals that showcase various forms and aspects of Lord Shiva.
During this festival, Perur is filled with joy and devotion. It involves multiple rituals, such as the anointing of the Lingam, flag hoisting, the offering of the sacred fire, and the distribution of the holy water among devotees. Apart from rituals, the Brahmotsavam festival also features various cultural and artistic events, such as drama and poetry recitals, music and dance performances, exhibitions, and competitions.
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3. Panguni Uthiram
Another significant festival of Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Panguni Uthiram, commemorates the weddings of Shiva and Parvati, Murugan (Kartikeya) and Devasena, Rama and Sita, and Ranganatha (Vishnu) and Andal. You can visit the temple in March to participate in this festival, which is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month Panguni; hence, it is called Panguni Uthiram.
This festival is also famous as the float festival in Peru. The deities’ idols are kept in the temple pond, which is decorated with flowers for a floating procession. The festival is also significant for devotees, who seek blessings in this temple for their marital life and happiness.
Nearby Attractions Around Perur Pateeswarar Temple
Several tourist attractions around Perur Pateeswarar Temple are worth exploring. Some of the best and most popular tourist destinations near the temples are mentioned below:
1. Eachanari Vinayagar Temple
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This is one of the most famous temples in Peru, and it is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is worshipped as Vinayagar in this temple, removing obstacles. Located about 9 km from the Temple, this is one of the oldest Ganesha temples in Perur. The idol of Lord Ganesha inside the temple is quite huge, about 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. The temple attracts thousands of devotees daily, especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as these days are considered auspicious for Lord Ganesha. Various festivals and rituals are held at this temple, such as the Ganesh Chaturthi, the Sankatahara Chaturthi, and the Vinayagar Sashti.
Location: 14 km away from Perur Pateewarar Temple
Timings: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm
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2. Karamadai Ranganathar Temple
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Karamadai Ranganathar Temple is one of the ancient temples in Peru that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Ranganathar is worshipped in this temple and is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the lord of the cosmic serpent. Situated just 1.4 km from Perur Pateeswarar Temple, this temple features beautiful sculptures and paintings that attract religious tourists and lovers of ancient architecture. There is a sacred tank inside the temple where devotees take a dip and offer prayers. The major attraction of this temple is its famous annual car festival. During this festival, the idols of the deities are taken around the town on a grand chariot.
Location: 34 km away from Perur Pateeswarar Temple
Timings: 5:30 am to 1:30 pm and 4:30 am to 8:30 pm
3. Marudamalai Temple
Dedicated to Lord Murugan, Marudamalai Temple is the top attraction near Perur Pateeswarar Temple. This scenic temple is located about 10.4 km from the Temple on a hilltop, offering tourists a panoramic view of the city and the mountains. Marudamalai Andavar, the lord of the hills is worshipped in this temple. The temple is believed to have healing powers, as the hill is rich in medicinal herbs and plants. Apart from religious tourists, adventure lovers can also visit this temple, as it is also a popular trekking destination in Peru. The temple also organizes several festivals and events, such as the Thai Poosam, the Panguni Uthiram, and the Kanda Sashti.
Location: 13 km away from Perur Pateeswarar Temple
Timings: 6:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
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Now that you have all the details about the temple, including its history, its significance, the best time to visit the temple, and how to reach the temple, you can start planning a trip to Coimbatore and visit one of the most sacred temples of Coimbatore-Perur Pateeswarar Temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Other than this, many temples in Peru are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesha, and you can visit them to enlighten your spirituality.
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Cover Image Credit: Ssriram mt for wikimedia commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Perur Pateeswarar Temple
What is special about Perur Pateeswarar Temple?
One major speciality of Perur Pateeswarar Temple is that the footprint scar of the divine Kamdhenu cow is still visible on the head of the Lingam that is present inside the temple. Another specialty associated with the temple is there is a Tamarind Tree in front of the temple known as Pirvapuli and it is believed that the seeds of the tree do not germinate in any other place.
Which riverside temple is in Coimbatore?
Perur Pateeswarar Temple is the riverside temple in Coimbatore. It is situated on the banks of the Noyyal River, in the western part of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
What is the best way to reach Perur Pateeswarar Temple from Coimbatore?
The Perur Pateeswarar Temple is located 9 km away from Coimbatore. You can take a bus, hire a cab, or drive your vehicle to the temple. Take the route via Chokkampudur Road from Coimbatore to reach the temple.
What are some popular tourist spots near Perur Pateeswarar Temple under 100 km?
Some of the popular tourist spots near Perur Pateeswarar Temple under 100 km are:
- Athirappilly Waterfalls
- Shakthan Thampuran Palace
- Kundala Lake
- Nelliyampathy Hills
Are photography and videography allowed inside Perur Pateeswarar Temple?
No, photography and videography are restricted inside the main temple complex to maintain the sanctity of the site.
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