ERUMBEESHWARAR TEMPLE - TIRUVERUMBUR
Erumbeeswarar Temple in Tiruverumbur,(13 KM’s from Trichy junction) is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. It is built on top of a small hillock of 60 FT, The access is through a few number of steps with intermittent resting places in between.
Two Prahrams, the two tiered Rajagopuram, including the sanctum is on top of the hill, while the large temple tank ( Teppa Kolam) and a hall (Mandapam) are situated at the foot of the hill. Another mandapam on top of the hill adjascent to the temple is in ruins.
The Shivalingam (East facing) is tilted to its left and the surface of the lingam is rough making it easier for the Ants to climb up and worship the lord.The gurukkal told me that the back side of the lingam is bent forward.
The name of the lord Erumbeeswarar ( Erumbu = Ants) ( Eswarar = Lord) aptly defines the legend attached to it. Lord Indra & the Devas took the form of ants in order to avoid the persecution of the Asura Tharakasuran. On lord Bramha’s advise, they reached Tiruverumbur to pray to Lord Shiva to save them from the evils of the Asura. Since the well-oiled lingam was slippery, the lord bowed his head and converted himself into an ant hill for the ants to climb up and worship. This feature of the lord to bow for his bhaktas, is very unique.
The shrine of the consort-goddess Narunguzhal Nayagi Amman, facing south, is in the second precinct of the temple
The temple is by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) along the banks of river Kaveri(Ponni), to commemorate his victory in the Tirupurambiyam Battle. The Temple is locally referred as "Kailash of South India.The current temple has 49 inscriptions from the Chola period (850-1280 CE). The inscriptions believed to be inscribed during the 5th to 7th year of the reign of Aditya Chola and hence the temple is believed to have been constructed between 882 and 885 CE making it a temple more than 1000 year old.The architecture is that of rock constructed with granite.
Things to See:
1. Erumbeeswarar ( tilted to his left)
2. The shrine of the consort-goddess Narunguzhal Nayagi Amman.
3. Sub – shrines inside the compound.
4. One Ganesh Idol behind another Ganesh Idol(Unique) on the southern side of the praharam.
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