Perambalur was trifurcated from the erstwhile composite tiruchirappalli district and was formed on 1 november 1995. The district is bounded by cuddalore district in the north, tiruchirapalli district in the south, thanjavur in the east and namakkal and tiruchirappalli districts in the west. The district for administrative purpose has been divided into six taluks are perambalur, kunnam, veppanthattai, ariyalur, and jeyankondam.
Gangaikondacholapuram: The brahadeeswarar temple at gangaikondacholapuram was conceived and constructed by the chola king rajendra – i after his victory over the kingdoms bordering the river ganga. Apart from the huge nandi, there are some beautiful sculptures including a dancing ganesha, a lion-headed well and a stunning figure of kinh rajendra being crowned by siva and parvati.
Chettikulam thandayuthapani swami temple: the ancient arulmigu ekambareswar and thandayuthapani swami temples are situated in chettikulam village, perambalur district. The above temples were built by king kulasekara pandian. These temples are situated 22 kms. Away from perambalur and 8 km west of alathur gate in tiruchi-chennai national highway these temples reflect the architecture of the early days. In arulmigu ekambareswarar temple the thai poosam festival is celebrated every year in the month of January for 10 days. Ph: 04328-268008.
Cholagangam lake: the lake is now called ponneri. It was brought into being by rajendra chola i as a “water pillar of victory” (jalamayam and jayashambam). According to thiruvelangadu plates it was named cholagangam. The bund is very high and the length being more than 5 kms, at full water level. It has a water spread of nearly 130 sq. Kms. It once had a surplus weir and input channels from kollidam river and velar.
Elakurichi – adaikala madha shrine: 65 kms. From perambalur. 80 kms from trichy. 375 kms from Chennai. Elakurichi is famous for its ancient church build by the famous catholic missionary constructive joseph beschi popularly known as “veeramamunivar” on the year of 1711. Tamilnadu govt. Has announced it as a tourists spot in the year 2001. The church is located in elakurichi, perambalur – 621715. Ph: 04239 – 246222.
Jayankondam: the original name of this place was nellimanagramam as the sacred tree in the local siva temple is country gooseberry tree (nellimaram). The present name is said to have been given by rajendra chola before he shifted his capital to gangai kondacholapuram. Jayankondam is 10 kms from gangaikondacholapuram.
Maligal medu: adjorning gangaikondacholapuram is a place called maligai medu. Archaeological findings reveal the glory of rajendra cholai. The state archaeological department is seized of the historical importance of the place.
Karaivetti birds sanctuary: the karaivetti bird sanctuary located about 35 kms to the north of thanjavur in ariyalur taluk of perambalur district. The total area of the sanctuary is 454 ha. This sanctuary is signification in the sense that is has been attracting the largest congregation of water bird after PL calimere sanctuary in tamilnadu. The peak congregation takes place in the month of November when over 2.5 lakhs birds arrive in this sanctuary.
Sathanur fossil tree: geological study shows that more than 120,000,000 years ago, the sea (which lies today about 100 km. East of sathanur) had transgressed as far as 8 to 10 km west of sathanur. During this period which is geologically known as the cretaceous, the sea abounded in a variety of marine animals similar to those found in the present day sea. These animals, after death, sank to the bottom and were buried by sands and clays brought down by the rivers. Along with them some of the trees which flourished on the seacoast or near shore were also buried after transport by flooded streams and were petrified in seacoast or near shore were also buried after transport by flooded streams and were petrified in course of time, the large trunk of petrified tree, which can be seen here, lies within the trichinopoly group of rocks of about 100,000,000 years ago. The petrified tree trunk at the sathanur measures over 18 meters in length. Similar fossil trees measuring a few meters in length are found along the stream sections near varagur, anaipadi, alundalipur and saradamangalam. Dr.M.S.Krishnan of the geological survey of india first resported this fossil tree in 1940.
Siruvachur mathurakaliamman temple: siruvachur Mathura kaliamman temple at siruvachur in perambalur taluk is one of the most popular shrines in the district. The presiding deity of the temple is known as sri Mathura kaliyamman. She is one of the forms of kali poojas are performed on Monday and Friday of every week. The main annual festival commences on the last in panguni. The car festival is celebrated on the first in chithirai.
Thirumanur: the local mythological tale tells that lord nataraja danced in this place with a stag in his hand. So the place is thirumanur (place of holy stag). It is said that raja raja chola left the 20 food high statue hero on his way from perambalur to thanjavur. The sun’s rays fall on the deity in the garbagraha, on a few days in a year, a gesture of adoration to the deity by the sun god.
Thirumazhapadi: situated on the banks of kollidam, a picturesque village. Legendary anecdotes say that lord nataraja promised to give another cosmic dance at dhalavanam, the original name of this place on full moon day in the tamil month of vaikasi for the benefit of the sage markandeya who reached Chidambaram late to witness the adi-thandavam. Lord nataraja, it is believed, performed the dance in the local vaidhyanathaswami temple with a mazhu in his hand. Hence the village derived its name thiru-mazhupadi. People believe that a bath in the temple tank would cure leprosy and barren women would be blessed with children.