Perur Pateeswarar Temple

Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple was built according to the ancient traditional temple architecture of the 11th Century. The features include temple gateways or gopurams, the sanctum sanctorum housing an idol of Lord Nataraja and several halls with pillars. The entire structure is intricately carved and has paintings all over the walls and the ceilings. The pillars, in particular, have carvings that depict the various manifestations of Lord Shiva.

A special feature of the magnificent temple is the series of stone chains on the ceiling. Inside the complex, there are shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesh and a Swayambhu Shivalinga devoted to Lord Shiva. Statues of some deities are also sculpted inside the temple including Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Veena. The temple complex also has a tamarind tree inside the premise.

According to a Hindu Legend, Kamdhenu, the mother of all cows, had a calf that discovered a Shivalinga while grazing in grassland. The Shivalinga was believed to be of great religious importance, and a temple was built around it. It was later sanctified by Saint Sundarar and Saint Appar in their collection of devotional poetry named 'Thevaram' and was known as the Vaipu Sthalam. The idol of Nataraja in the hall named the 'Golden Hall of Dance', or the 'Kanaka Sabhai' is believed to be manifested by the lord to the Pattimuni, Gomuni and the Rishis. Other than the Thevarams, the temple has been mentioned in several other important historical and literary works of art. Thus, the temple plays an important role in the folk art that originated in the region. Some inscriptions also provide insights into the culture, the rituals, the customs and the lifestyle and its evolution since the 11th century.