Erumbeeswarar Temple, Tiruverumbur
Location
Tiru-Erumbur
Deity
Erumbeeswarar, Pippilikeswarar, Madhuvaneswarar
Female Deity
Soundaranayaki, Narunguzhal Nayaki, Madhuvaneswari
Pathikam
Tirunavukkarasar - 2
Gallery – Erumbeesar Temple, TiruErumbiyur
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is situated 11 kilometers from Trichy along the Trichy-Thanjavur route. The Tiruverumbur railway station is part of the Southern Railway's Tiruchy–Thanjavur line, providing convenient access to the area.
Temple Address
Tiruverumbur
Tiruverumbur Post
Tiruchirappalli
Tiruchirappalli District
PIN – 620013
Temple Hours
Morning : 8:00 - 12:00
Evening : 4:00 - 8:30
Nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Temples
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 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
Perched atop a small rocky hill, the temple can be reached by climbing approximately 125 rock-cut steps. The sanctum, uniquely constructed using rounded stones, faces north and is enclosed within two concentric prakarams. Flanking the entrance to the sanctum are Vinayaka and Muruga. Within the sanctum, Erumbeeswarar manifests as an east-facing Shiva Lingam. The presiding Lingam is carefully protected from ritual ablutions with water, as it is believed to be composed of a delicate earthen and sandy material resembling an anthill. A distinctive feature of the Lingam is its slightly inclined form, with the upper portion appearing gently sloped.
The outer walls of the sanctum are adorned with several Goshta Murthas, including Nardana Vinayaka, Dakshinamoorthy, Shankara-Narayana, Maha Vishnu and Goddess Durga. The temple also houses a separate sannidhi for Chandeswarar. The Navagraha sannidhi is noteworthy for its unique arrangement, with Surya Bhagavan seated at the centre along with his two consorts. A sannidhi dedicated to Bhairava further adds to the spiritual significance of the temple. In the outer prakaram, Goddess Soundara Nayaki graces devotees from her south-facing sannidhi, while the inner prakaram enshrines Somaskandar, Murugan, Gajalakshmi, Kashi Viswanathar, Lakshmi and Bhairava.
The sanctity of this ancient temple is enhanced by its association with several divine and revered beings, including Brahma, Indra, Agni, Muruga, Sage Agastya and Sage Naimisha, all of whom are believed to have worshipped the deity here. The temple's sacred tree (Sthala Vriksham) is the Vilva tree, and its holy tank, known as Brahma Theertham, is situated in front of the temple, providing a serene and spiritually uplifting atmosphere for devotees and pilgrims alike.
Gallery – Erumbeesar Temple, TiruErumbiyur
