Erumbeeswarar Temple Thiruverumbur, Tiruchirappalli

SRI ERUMBEESWARAR TEMPLE

Thiruverambur, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India

God

Erumbeeswarar is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Here Lord is in the form of lingam made of mud mound with ups and downs without a perfect shape, facing in East direction.

Interesting Facts

This is 7th Shiva shrine on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns. It comes under the classification of ‘Paadal Petra Sthalam’ or shrines mentioned in the classical Tamil songs.
The main deity is a sand Linga, hence no abishek is performed, Only oil abhishekam is followed.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37°C during the day and 21°C during night)Lowest - October to February (27°C during day and 18°C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth. These rules are applicable for foreigners also.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Kottaippar Panchayat Bus Stand	1.9 KM	0491-2572729
Tiruverumbur	1.7 KM	0431-2415031
Tiruchirapalli International Airport	11.3 KM	07373774163

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Tiruverumbur	1.7 KM	0431-2415031

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Tiruchirapalli International Airport	11.3 KM	07373774163

Architecture

According to Hindu legend, there lived a demon (Asura) Tharukasuran, who conquered Prithvi (earth) and Svarga (heaven). Indra, the leader of celestial deities and other gods suffered at the hands of Tharukasuran and sought the help of the creator - god Brahma, who asked them to worship Shiva in Thiruverumbur. In order to deceive Tharukasuran, Devas transformed into ants and reached the temple. Since the surface of the lingam (aniconic form of Shiva) was slippery, the ants found it difficult to climb up and worship. Shiva transformed himself into an ant hill and slid his head, which enabled the ants to climb and worship. Hence the name "Erumbeeswarar" is derived from 'Erumbu' meaning 'ant' and 'Eswaran' referring to 'Shiva'.

The temple has a two – tiered Rajagopuram and a king by name Siruthavur Sembian Veithi Velan from Kiliyurnadu is believed to have constructed the vimana (structure over the sanctum). The temple has four theerthas – Brahmma Theertham, Madhu Theertham, Kumara Theertham and Padma theertham. The temple complex has two prakarams (outer courtyard). The temple is also referred as Rathinakoodam, Thirverumbipuram, Erumbeesam, Brahmapuram, Laskhmipuram, Madhuvanam, Rathnakooda Puram, Manikoodapuram and Kumarapuram in various religious literatures. The temple is locally called as Kailash (the abode of Shiva) of South India.

Religious Significance

Thirunavukkarasar (7th century C.E.) has rendered Thevaram Hymns here. The Lord is said to have been worshiped here by Indra and other Devas in the form of Ants (Erumbu) and thus the name. Vishnu, Brahma and Naimisaranya Sages have also worshiped here. Lord Muruga, Brahman, Rathi, Indra, Agni, Agasthyar, Naimisa Munivar, Kattangazhi Swamiji.

Puranas reference : Appar, a 7th-century Tamil Saivite saint poet and Nayanmar, has revered Erumbeeswarar and the temple in his verses in Tevaram, compiled as the Fifth Thirumurai. Appar has glorified the temple in nine poems referring the place as "Erumbiyur" and the deity as "Erumbiyur Eesan", meaning god of Erumbiyur. Manickavasagar, 9th century Tamil saint & poet have revered Erumbeeswarar in his work, Thiruvasagam. Tiruverumbiyur Puranam is a religious work that describes the religious history of the temple. Ramalinga Swamigal (1823-74 C.E.) has revered Erumbeeswarar and the temple in his religious work, Thiruvarutpa.

Threat during invasions : The temple was the only temple that Malik Kafur (1296-1316 C.E.) could not conquer in 1311 C.E., during his South Indian expedition. During the war between British & French during 1752, the temple acted as an infantry for the French troops.

Legends Rathi praying to Erumbeeswarar : It is believed that Rathi, wife of Manmadan, the lord of love (Cupid) prayed to Erumbeeswarar to make her humble and less proud of her beauty. Fight between Vayu & Adiseshan: This temple hill is said to be a piece of the legendary Mount Meru. Once Vayu – the Wind God - and the divine serpent Adiseshan had a competition to decide who had greater physical strength. Vayu broke a piece of the holy mountain and it landed in these parts of the world.

History

Aditya won a battle in Thiruppurambiyam and to commemorate the victory, he built a series of temples along with this temple on the banks of the river Cauvery. This temple is built by Chola king Aditya I (871-907 C.E). Another set of inscriptions from the Sundara Chola (957-970 C.E.) period indicate gift of land to maintain four signs of Tirupadigam. One another inscription indicates the donation of ten kalanchu (a measure) of gold to the deity by a temple woman in the year 875 C.E.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	05:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757