Arulmigu Erumbeeswarar Temple, Thiruverumbur. — Attraction in Trichy Corporation Limits

This temple, located in the town now known as Thiruverumpur, on the Trichy-Thanjore route, about 14 km from Trichy, is the seventh of the South Cauvery Thevara Sthalams (SC07). This ancient and beautiful temple is situated on a hillock and is under the control of the archaeological research team. One has to climb about 125 steps to see the anthill. Except on special days, one can have a solitary darshan on other days. Another Thevaram temple, Nedungulam, is about four to five km away from here. There is a direct bus facility from the Trichy Junction bus stand. As per the legend, when the Devas appealed to Brahma to destroy the demon Tarakasuran, He asked them to reach the Lord who had risen in this temple as Swayambu, and the Devas climbed the hill in the form of an anthill so they would not be visible to the eyes of the Asura. However, when they reached the Lingam and tried to worship it in the form of an ant, carrying flowers, they could not climb on the smooth Lingam, so the Lord not only changed his form to that of a turtle, but also leaned slightly so that the ant-shaped Devas could climb on the Lingam and garland Him with the flowers they had brought. Due to this, the Lord here came to be called Erumbeesan (Lord of Ants) and the Thiru Erumpiyur (Village of Ants), which, with the passage of time, came to be called Tiruverumbur. It is said that even today, during the puja time, ants line up in rows to enter the sanctum sanctorum and take the offerings. Many other names are given to this temple in the Puranas, such as Pipliicharam, Manikudam, Rattinakudam, Thiruverumpipuram, Erumpeesam, Brahmapuram, Lakshmipuram, Madhuvanapuram, and Kumarapuram. This place is also called Then Kailayam. This mountain is also said to be a fragment of Mount Meru that was shattered in the contest between Adisesha and Vayu. Historically, this place was given the name Sri Kandavedi Chathurmangalam, as the Shivalinga is shaped like a mound and a valley in the shape of an ant, There is no regular abhishekam for the Lingam and only oil is applied. Also, a s a split can also be seen in the middle. The right side of the linga is believed to be the Shiva aspect and the left side is the Shakti aspect, which is celebrated as the form of Ardhanari. The Lord is called by several names, viz., Erumbeeswarar. Pippilikeswarar and Madhuvaneswarar etc. The festival is celebrated by Somaskandar. The divine name of the goddess is Narunguzhal Nayaki. She is also called Soundaranayaki, and Madhuvaneswari. The Lord, who is the embodiment of mercy and compassion, is said to be the one who bestows bliss upon the devotees who come here and pray to him. There is a story that Rati Devi, the wife of Manmadhan, came here and got rid of her pride. A speicality here is that one of the Dwarapalakas is depicted with an angry face and the other is shown calmly. This indicates that those who come here to worship will be freed from lust and hatred. Om...

Shiva Linga in the sanctum sanctorum is in an ant-hill shape with ups and downs without a perfect shape. It is a sand Linga, hence no abishek is performed. Only oil application is followed. As there is a gap in between, it appears as if there are two Lingas. It is said that the right side is of Shiva part and the left as Shakti part, hence praised as ‘Shivasakthi Linga’. As ants (Erumbu in Tamil) are consuming the nivedhana objects in the sanctum, it is believed that Lord Shiva Himself is acknowledging the nivedhana offers during the Pujas. This darshan is considered very important by the devotees. It is also believed that Rathi, wife of Manmatha-Cupid worshipped the Lord praying that her alluring beauty should not make her proud.

Swarnakala Bhairava shrine is in the prakara-corridor with a furious look. Mother Gajalakshmi is opposite to Bhairava in a separate shrine. Worshipping both simultaneously relieves the devotee from fears and ensures prosperity in family. Mother Narunkuzhal Nayaki – Mother with a fragrant hair – graces from a shrine facing south. Different Alankaras are followed for the mother each day. Just before Mother Narunkuzhal Nayaki there is an idol of a Mother worshipped in olden days. Of the two dwarapalakas in the Lord’s shrine, one looks angry, the other smiling. People generally known for their temperate qualities, become softer after worshipping the Lord, it is believed. The one special feature in the temple is Lord Sankara Narayana combining the greatness of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and Lord Nataraja with anklets behind the presiding Lord Shiva goshta wall.

Temple History:

Devas, an elite community in the celestial world lost all their wealth and position to demon Tharakasura. They approached Lord Brahmma for remedy. He advised them to worship Lord Shiva in this place with flowers and assured them that the demon would be killed by Him. To escape the attention of the demon, Devas took the form of ants (Erumbu in Tamil) to worship Shiva. As the Linga was too soft and slippery and steep, they could not reach the top of the Linga. All merciful Lord, changed His form as an ant-hill also leaning slightly to facilitate their pujas to Him. Lord came to their rescue, destroyed the demon. He is praised as Erumbeeswarar. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swyambumurthy. There is gap in the middle of the Linga as if it is twin Linga. This is explained as Shiva-Shakti form. As ants go in line in the sanctum sanctorum during pujas, it is said that Lord, in the form of ants, accepted the pujas...

28.06.2023 Erumbeeswarar Temple,

Thiruverumbur,

Tamil Nadu,

Main Deity :  Erumbeeswarar

Ambal :  Narum Kuzhal Nayagi

Holy Water :  Brahma Theertham.

Temple Tree : Vilva Tree (Aegle marmelos)

Erumbeeswarar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built on a 60-ft.  hill. The temple's main shrines and its two prakarams (outer courtyards) are on top of the hill, while a hall and the temple tank are located at the foothills.

Shiva is believed to have transformed himself into an ant hill and tilted his head at this place to enable ants to climb up and worship him. Erumbeeswarar is revered in Tevaram and is a Paadal Petra Sthalam.  This is the 124th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 7th  Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu.

This  temple was built by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) along the banks of river Cauvery, to commemorate his victory in the Tirupurambiyam Battle.  This temple has several inscriptions from the Chola period dating back to the 10th century.

The temple has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The temple complex has two prakarams (outer courtyard) and a two-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower).

The central shrine faces east and holds the image of Erumbeeswarar (Shiva) in the form of lingam made of mud mound.

The granite images Ganesha, Murugan, Nandi and Navagraha  are in the hall leading to the sanctum.

Other Images of Dakshinamurthy , Durga  and Chandikeswarar are found in outer walls of sanctum.

The central image of Erumbeeswarar is made of mud mound and is referred by other names like Erumbeesar, Mathuvaneswarar, Manikoodalachapathi, Piplikesvarar and Manickanathar.

The shrine of the consort-goddess Narunguzhal Nayagi Amman, facing south, is in the second precinct of the temple. The second precinct is surrounded by granite walls. Narunguzhal Nayagi Amman is referred by other names like Sugantha Kuzhalal, Soundra Nayagi, Madhuvaneswari and Rathnambal.

The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu and also Archeological Survey of India.

Temple Timings :

Morning: 6am to 12noon &

Evening: 4.30pm to 8.30pm

Location:

Thiruverumbur is on the Tiruchirappalli to Thanjavur main road.The temple is 11 KM from Tiruchirappalli...