Patteeswarar Perur

Saivite Temples, Coimbatore District

God

Patteeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Pachainayagi, facing east

Other Deities

Patti Vinayaka, Muruga, Gnana Bhairava, Varadaraja Perumal, Hanuman, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Navagraha

Patteeswarar Perur is a large temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the east. A large temple tank with symmetrical steps with 16 angles and Temple Car with fine carvings is located east of the Temple. A famous hall, Kanaka Sabha with the golden statue of Lord Nataraja with the pillars having carvings of the various manifestations of Shiva and the ceiling with a series of stone chains is an important feature here. The Patti Vinayagar shrine, dedicated to Ganesha is present here. The Arasambalavanar Shrine dedicated to Shiva is at the spot where Shiva is believed to have performed his Ananda Thandavam (cosmic dance) under a peepul tree. The carvings of Agni Veerabhadra, Agora Veerabhadra, Alankattukaliamman, Nritha Ganapati, Pichanadar, Muruga, Uruthuvathandavar and Yanaiyuri Porthia Murthy are intricately carved exemplary specimens. The foot print scar of Kamadenu is on the head of Patteeswarar. Lord Muruga’s shrine is located in between Lord Shiva and Parvati’s shrines representing the Somaskanda form. Bhairava is seen without his dog mount as Gnana Bhairava. The statue of Lord Hanuman is made of wood. The seeds of the Tamarind tree here does not germinate symbolizing the total salvation aspect of praying to Lord Patteeswara. Another unique feature here is called the Theevetti (burning wood torch) Salaam which started during the times of Tipu Sultan and is in practice even today.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Palm Tree and Tamarind. They are called Irava Panai and Pirava Puli respectively.

History

Patteeswarar Perur was known by many names including Kamadenupuri, Pattipuri, Adhipuri, Dakshina Kailasham, Thavasiddhapuram, Gnanapuram, Kalyanapuram, Pirava Neri Thalam, Pasupathipuram and Mel Chidambaram. Patteeswarar Perur was built by the Chola King, Karikala Cholan. Sundarar (7th century CE) has mentioned (not visited and sung together) this temple in his hymn making this a Vaippu Sthalam. Arunagirinathar (15th Century CE) has visited and sung the praise of Lord Muruga here. The Artha Mantapa and Maha Mantapa were constructed during Rajaraja Chola’s period and also regular contributions were made by him as mentioned in the stone inscriptions here. Between 14th and 17th Century CE many dynasties including Hoysala, Vijanagara and the Nayakkar Kings have contributed large donations for the maintenance of Patteeswarar Perur. The famous Kanaka Sabha was built around the 17th century by Azhagathiri Nayakkar of Madurai. Around the 18th Century CE the main deities were refurbished and a Mantapa for the 63 Nayanmaars was constructed. In the 20th century, the Kalyana Mantapa and the front Mantapa were constructed and the Rajagopuram was renovated.

Legend

Kamadhenu’s calf while frolicking here on a beautiful moonlit night caught the legs in a depression and tried desperately with its legs and horns to pull out revealing a blood spurting Shiva Lingam. Aghast at this Kamadhenu prayed to the lord and he appeared blessing both and naming the place as Kamadhenupuri and Pattipuri. The bones of those dead, when placed in the Noyyal river flowing near the temple, are said to turn into white stones. It is believed that the Lord utters the five lettered Na Ma Shi Va Ya mantra in the ears of the dead and takes them with him. It is also said that no germs are found in cow dung around this place.

Directions

Patteeswarar Perur is 6 kilometers west of Coimbatore on the Siruvani Road.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea shops. Closest for food and stay is Coimbatore.

Saivite Temples