Perur
Temples of Tamilnadu

There is a relatively small number of historical
Saivite shrines in Kongu Naadu or the region
surrounding Coimbatore. The shrines honored by the
hymns of the trinity include Avinashi, Bhavani and
Paandikkodumudi near Coimbatore, Tiruchengode near
Salem/Erode. 

Also located near Coimbatore is the well known shrine to Murugan - Marudamalai.

While Tiruchengode is closelyassociated with the saint Sambandar, others areclosely associated with legends surroundingSundaramoorthy Naayanar.

Seven miles to the west of Coimbatore, on the banks of
the river Noyyal , is located Perur, a hoary temple
which has been mentioned by the Tevaram hymns of the
nayanmars although a canto of 10 hymns saluting this
shrine has not been discovered yet. It is still held
in great regard and an aura of grandeur surrounds this
shrine.

Perur enshrines Patteeswarar and Maragathaambikai; and is one of the temples associated closely with the
legend of the cosmic dance of Shiva and hence it bears
an impressive Kanakasabha or the golden hall of dance
in an ornate hall decked with exquisite sculpture.
Patteeswaram is also home to the annual Natyanjali
festival occurring in the month of September where
homage is paid to the deity and to the art form of
dance, through impressive dance recitals. (Displayed
above is an image from the dance production
'Aadavallaanin Aindu Sabhaigal' (The cosmic Dance
Halls), written and scored by the author and
choreographed by Kalaimaamani Saraswathi - performed
at the Patteeswarar temple in September 1998.