Perur

Perur is a major residential neighbourhood and cultural hub of the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the banks of Noyyal River, which divides the settlement into equal halves.^[1]

History

Perur is a historical town that is located six km (3.7 mi) west of Coimbatore that lies on the bank of the Noyyal River. Noyyal is historically called as Kanchi and Kanchima nadhi by different derivations. The Archaeological survey of India under the guidance of K.V. Soundararajan and B. Narashimaiha excavated this site in 1970-71 and observed three cultural periods without any break.^[2] Perur had been a prominent trading hub and had trade relations with Rome, since it was a part of historic "Rajasekaraperuvazhi" and the capital of Perur Nadu in the erstwhile Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms.^[3] The settlement is famous for Perur Pateeswarar Temple built by the Chola emperor Karikala Chola in 2 AD.^[4][5]

Etymology

As per Tolkappiyam, in the sangam landscape the larger settlements along fertile river basins in Marutham landscape were termed as "Perur".^[6] According to Senthandivakaram any place which has more than 500 families will be considered as Perur.^[7]

Geography

Perur is located at 5 km from the centre of the city, Townhall. The nerve centre of Perur is Siruvani Road. Other majors roads are Vedapatti Road, Maruthamalai Road and Chettipalayam Road. Perur shares its borders with Selvapuram, Telugupalayam, Perur Chettipalayam and Vedapatti.

Perur-Sundakamuthur lake

Researchers studying Perur-Sundakamuthur lake have linked the significant decline in waterbird populations to three primary anthropogenic drivers: sand mining activities within or near the lake, intensified commercial fishing, and road expansion that has physically encroached into the wetland.^[8] Despite the lake remaining relatively unpolluted—with an absence of industrial effluents and the invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)—the combination of physical encroachment and intensified human activity has substantially disrupted the ecological balance. These findings underscore how structural modifications and human disturbance, rather than water quality degradation alone, can be decisive drivers of wildlife decline in urban wetlands.^[8]

Administration

Perur is currently administered by Perur Town Panchayat. It is the headquarters of Perur taluk and Perur Panchayat Union in Coimbatore district.^[9]

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[10] Perur had a population of 7937. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Perur has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 61%. In Perur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

As of 2011 India census, the population had risen to 8004.^{[citation needed]}

Religious importance

Perur is famous for its ancient Perur Pateeswarar Temple.^[11] Other than this temple there are numerous other temples and many wedding halls. Just 500 m away from the main temple is the bank of Noyyal River. People arrive here round the year to perform the rituals of deceased people since ancient times.

Tharpana mandapams were constructed at Perur Padithurai waiting hall, 50 tharpana mandapams, navagraha pillars, waiting hall, parking lots and toilets built at a cost of ₹12 to 15 crore inaugurated on February 10,2025

Economy

The area is mostly agricultural. Predominantly cash crops like coconut, banana is grown in Perur in the fertile Noyyal river basin.

Perur Lake

One of the prominent lakes in the Noyyal river system built by Karikala Chola, the Perur lake is located here.^[12]

Coimbatore Metro

Coimbatore Metro feasibility study is completed and one of the route planned from Ganeshapuram to Karunya Nagar via Ukkadam Bus Terminus and Perur covering 44 km.^[13]

Politics

Perur assembly constituency is part of Thondamuthur (state assembly constituency) and Pollachi (Lok Sabha constituency) since the delimination exercise in 2009.^[14]

See also

• Coimbatore district
• List of temples in Tamil Nadu
• Noyyal River
• Karikala chola

References

1. ^ "Floral tributes paid to River Noyyal". The Hindu. 31 October 2011. Archived 22 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
2. ^ Dr. R., Poonkuntran. "Archaeological Excavations Of India (Volume II). Dr. R. Poonkuntran, K.Sridharan, Dr. S. Vasanthi, V. Ramamurthi. Excavation Report, 2011". Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Archaeology. Archived 6 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 21, 2023. Perur regarding information is on Page 6
3. ^ "Rajasekaraperuvazhi". The Times of India. Archived 13 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
4. ^ "Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple - History". Archived 23 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
5. ^ "Plaques from Perur throw light on Pandya-Roman trade links". The Times of India. Archived 9 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
6. ^ University, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Jawaharlal Nehru (2017-08-25). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 371. ISBN 9781538106860.
7. ^ V. VEDACHALAM (20 July 2011). "Jain monastery at Kazhugumalai". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
8. ^ "Rapid decline of waterbirds in urban wetlands: A case study from Perur-Sundakamuthur Lake, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India"
9. ^ Palaniappan, V. S. (5 December 2013). "Government sanctions two new taluks". The Hindu. Archived 27 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
10. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived 2004-06-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
11. ^ "History of Perur Patteeswarar temple". Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
12. ^ "Rs 6,683cr allocated for city metro rail project". The Times of India. Archived 9 November 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
13. ^ "Rain fills waterbodies to the brim". The Times of India. Archived 22 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
14. ^ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies". Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 2008-10-09.