PATTEESWARAR TEMPLE PERUR - COIMBATORE

 PATTEESWARAR TEMPLE - PERUR - TAMILNADU

HISTORY

Parakesari Karikal Cholan The Early Chola King , who is associated with building one of the first living Dam in India during the 2nd century CE about 2000 years ago is associated with the building of the Garbhagriha of the Patteeswarar Temple in the place called Perur near Coimbatore in Tamilnadu. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10213034825521298&id=1112401419

The temple is about 2000 years old and the main deity is Lord Shiva in the form of a Lingam known as PATTEESWARAR along with his consort Parvati known as PACHCHAINAYAKI. The temple has passed through all kingdoms since then including the Pallava's,Pandya's Hoysala's, later Cholas, Vijayanagara, Nayak's,Kongu Chola clans and the British who have contributed to the development of the temple( with exception of Tipu Sultan) as late as the 19th century CE. Saint Appar & Sundar seem to have visited the temple in the 6th & 9th century respectively, as it finds a place in their renditions,of Thevaram, which is a collection of praise in Tamil of the great Mahadev. The Ardhamandapam and Mukhamandam were built by the Kongu Cholas around the 13th century CE.

From the 14th to the 17th century, Vijayanagara Kings and Nayak's patronised the temple and made additions, infact the Kanaka Sabha was built by Alagadri Nayak of Madurai. The current structure was built by Palayakarar's also known as Sitrarasars, feudal lords of Raja Raja Chola 1. LEGEND Kamadhenu prayed to Lord Shiva by pouring milk directly from her udder into an anthill for thanking him for her powers of creation. It is then that her calf came and hit the anthill with her hoof and blood started flowing from the Lingam inside the anthill. Lord Shiva forgave the calf and he is also known as PATTEESWARAR after the calf (Patti). Sundarar the Tamil poet Saint wanted to worship Lord Shiva in this temple, when lord Shiva & Parvathi took the form of Pallars, planting Paddy seeds in the fields. Sundarar discovered Shiva and Parvathi and was rewarded by Lord Shiva with the cosmic dance. There is a Tamarind tree(Pirava Puli) (Non life giving), whose seed do not germinate and a very old Palm tree(Irava Panai) which stands straight and does not die signifying the release from birth and death.

The town Perur was an ancient Trade centre in the Locality of Covanputhur ( named after the Irula King Covan who ruled this place) or Coimbatore. There could have been trade with Rome as Roman coins were discovered here. TEMPLE The entrance is through a five tiered Rajagopuram which leads in to a compound walking through which one comes in front of the Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandi with Balipeedham in a manadapam. Post this flanking on both sides is Ganapathy and Karthikeyan. Straight down is a Mukhamandapam and an Ardhamandapam leading to the Garbhagriha of Lord Shiva as Patteeshwarar in the form of a Lingam facing east. In the corridor encircling the garbhagriha is the idols of 63 Nayanaars( Tamil Saints) on the outer wall to the right of the lord. At the back is the sub shrines of Ganapathy and Muruga on both the corners and a Saptha lingam lined up in between them. The Devakoshtha consists of Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbhavar, Brahma & Vishnudurga.

Before moving through to the sanctum of the lord, facing south is the famous KANAKA SABHA.The KANAKA SABHA presents a unique collection of stone carvings larger than life size in two rows of 5 pillars each.( See Photos). The image of the Dancing Lord NATARAJA made out of Gold plated cover is in a unique position where both the legs are almost grounded, signifying the end of the dance. On to His left is his consort SIVAKAMASUNDARI. The eight distinct idols in the Kanaka Sabha are as follows : 1.Gajasamharamurthy. 2.Aghora Veerabhadra 3. Agni Veerabhadra.4. Alangadu Mahakali.5. Subramaniar.6. Bhikshatana.7.Urdhwatandavamurthy.8. Nardana Ganapathy ( See Photos). Through the outer Praharam on the circumambulation path one comes to the sanctum of Skanda, which is in between the sanctums of Both, Lord Shiva & Parvathi in a SOMASKANDA pattern. ( See Map).

At the end of the praharam on the left of the Lord is the sanctum of Goddess Parvathi as PACHAINAYAKI facing east. The Vimanam of her sanctum is Chaturangam and has the sculptured stucco of the Ashthadigapala on it. Completing the praharam one comes to the Utsavamurthy’s of the Lord and Goddess along with the Utsavaberas of the 63 Nayanars.

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