Perur Pateeswarar Temple

The Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple stands in Perur, about 9 km from Coimbatore, and is dedicated to Shiva as Pateeswarar. Tradition credits its founding to the Chola king Karikala in the 2nd century CE. Its Dravidian halls and pillars are densely carved, chains cut from stone hang from the ceiling, and its Nataraja image is especially admired. Other images show Shiva as Bhikshadana, Gajasamhara and Veerabhadra, and there is a Patti Vinayakar shrine to Ganesha.

Legend says a calf of the divine cow Kamadhenu found the lingam, held to be self-manifested, and that a scar on it comes from Kamadhenu. Shiva is also said to have danced the Ananda Thandavam here. Two sacred trees, an undying palm and a tamarind said never to be born, stand for long life and release from rebirth.