Sthala Purana - The devas (celestial beings) found themselves in a state of great distress due to the relentless tyranny of the demon Tarakasura. In their desperation, they sought the counsel of the sage Narada, imploring him for guidance on how to rid themselves of Tarakasura's oppressive reign. Narada advised them to journey to a sacred site near Tiruchirapalli, where they could offer their prayers to God Shiva and voice their grievances. Following his instructions, the gods transformed themselves into ants to approach their destination unnoticed by the demon. However, they encountered significant challenges as they attempted to ascend the smooth surface of the Linga to perform their worship. Observing their struggle, God Shiva compassionately altered his form, transforming the Linga into an anthill, thereby facilitating the ascent of the tiny ants. This act of divine intervention not only eased their worship but also led to the place being named Erumbiyur, with the deity being revered as Erumbeeswarar or Pipplikeswarar symbolizing his benevolence and responsiveness to the needs of his devotees.
The Layout - The temple is perched atop a modest hillock, accessible by ascending approximately 125 rock-cut steps. The sanctum, constructed entirely from rounded stones, features an entrance that faces north and is surrounded by two concentric prakaras. On either side of the sanctum's entrance stand the idols of Vinayaka and Muruga, welcoming devotees into the sacred space. Inside, the principal deity, Erumbeeswarar, is positioned to face east. The Linga of the presiding deity remains shielded from water, due to its composition - earthen, sandy and rough like an ant-hill. Notably, the Shivalinga is slightly tilted, presenting a sloped surface at its apex. Surrounding this central figure are various Goshta Murthas, adorning the walls around the sanctum, including Nardana Vinayaka, Dakshinamoorthy, Shankara-Narayana, as well as MahaVishnu and Goddess Durga. Additionally, there is a sannidhi dedicated to Chandeswarar, while the Navagraha shrine prominently features the Sun idol at its center, accompanied by two consorts. The presence of Bhairava adds to the temple's spiritual significance. In the outer courtyard, the sannidhi of Goddess Soundara Nayaki is oriented towards the south, while the inner courtyard houses idols of Somaskhanda, Murugan, Gajalakshmi, Kashi Vishwanathar, Lakshmi, and Bhairava. This temple has been revered by notable figures such as Brahma, Indra, Agnidev, Muruga, Sage Agastya and Naimisha, who have all offered their worship to the Deityd. The sacred tree associated with this temple is the Vilvam, and the holy water, known as Brahma Theertham, is located in front of the temple, further enhancing its spiritual ambiance.
View of the temple
The Ascend
Wall surrounding the temple
Outer Prakaram
Entrance to the Sanctum
Dakshinamurthy
Muruga with his consorts