Back to Results
Temple Image

Sri Erumbeeswarar Temple

This is the 124th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 7th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was called Erumbiyur during the 6th to 7th Century and is now called Thiruverumbur. As per purana, this hill temple was called as Pipileecharam, Manikoodam, Rathnakoodam, Thiruverumbipuram, Erumbeesan, Brahmapuram, Lakshmipuram, Madhuvanapuram and Kumarapuram. During Chozha period this temple was called as South Kailash.

Timings

6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Entry Fee

No Entry Fee

This is the 124th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 7th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was called Erumbiyur during the 6th to 7th Century and is now called Thiruverumbur. As per purana, this hill temple was called as Pipileecharam, Manikoodam, Rathnakoodam, Thiruverumbipuram, Erumbeesan, Brahmapuram, Lakshmipuram, Madhuvanapuram and Kumarapuram. During Chozha period this temple was called as South Kailash.

Erumbeeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Thiruverumbur, Trichy District, Tamil Nadu. The deity here is a Swayambumurthy, believed to have transformed into an anthill, tilting his head to allow ants to climb up and worship him. The temple is perched atop a 60-foot (18 m) hill, accessible via a flight of steps, with the main shrines and two prakarams situated at the summit. At the foothills, there is a hall and a temple tank.

This sacred site is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva text, the Tevaram, composed by the saint poets known as Nayanmars. Thiruverumbur is the 7th among the Thevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom, located south of the Kaveri River. The saint Appar (Thirunavukarasu Swamigal) has sung hymns in praise of the deity here, marking it as the 124th Paadal Petra Sthalam, and it is part of the series of temples built by Aditya Chola (871–907 CE) to commemorate his victory at the Thiruppurambiyam Battle.

The temple features inscriptions from the Chola Empire dating back to the 10th century and has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India, earning it the nickname "Kailash of South India."

Erumbeeswarar Temple conducts six daily rituals from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM and celebrates three major festivals annually, with the Brahmotsavam being the prime event that attracts thousands of devotees. Every full moon, tens of thousands participate in Girivalam, a barefoot circumambulation of the hill in reverence. 


PURANIC SIGNIFICANCE 1:



Erumbeeswarar:


Devas, an elite community in the celestial world, lost all their wealth and position to demon Tarakasuran. 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. The Lord came to their rescue, destroyed the demon. He is praised as Erumbeeswarar.


Shiva Shakthi Form:


Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambhu murti. There is a 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 offered to him.


People worshipped Erumbeeswarar:


Lord Muruga, Brahman, Rathi, Indra, Agni, Agasthyar, Naimisa Munivar, Kattangazhi Swamiji


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. 


PURANIC SIGNIFICANCE 2:


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. This is one of the three places where Shiva slid his head for his worshippers, the other two being the temples at Virinjipuram and Thiruppanandal.

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.


PURANIC SIGNIFICANCE 3:


  1. The temple is one in a series built by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) along the banks of river Cauvery, to commemorate his victory in the Tirupurambiyam Battle. 
  2. It has several inscriptions from the Chola Empire dating back to the 10th century.
  3. The temple has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India and is locally referred as “Kailash of South India” Devas, an elite community in the celestial world lost all their wealth and position to demon Tharakasura.
  4. They approached Lord Brahmma for remedy. 
  5. He advised them to worship Lord Shiva in this place with flowers and assured them that the demon would be killed by Him. 
  6. 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. 
  7. All merciful Lord, changed His form as an ant-hill also leaning slightly to facilitate their pujas to Him. 
  8. The Lord came to their rescue, destroyed the demon. 
  9. He is praised as Erumbeeswarar. 
  10. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swyambumurthy. 
  11. There is gap in the middle of the Linga as if it is a twin Linga. 
  12. 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 offered to Him.


ADMINISTRATION:



The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu, and it lies in the vicinity of Tiruchirappalli, making it an important pilgrimage site.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Engage the Community: Involve locals in preservation efforts.
  2. Regular Maintenance: Schedule upkeep to prevent deterioration.
  3. Document Everything: Keep records of history and restoration work.
  4. Promote Awareness: Educate visitors about the temple's significance.
  5. Follow Conservation Guidelines: Use traditional methods for restoration.
  6. Seek Funding: Look for grants and donations to support efforts.


  1. Don’t Alter Original Structures: Avoid compromising historical integrity.
  2. Don’t Neglect Maintenance: Prevent letting the temple fall into disrepair.
  3. Don’t Ignore Local Regulations: Comply with laws regarding heritage sites.
  4. Don’t Allow Commercialization: Prevent excessive commercialization.
  5. Don’t Harm the Environment: Avoid practices that damage local ecosystems.


Dress Code

For Men:

Clothing: Wear traditional attire like dhoti, kurta, or clean, modest casual wear.

Footwear: Remove shoes before entering the temple.

Head Covering: In some temples, covering the head may be required.


For Women:

Clothing: Opt for traditional attire like sarees, salwar kameez, or modest dresses. Avoid revealing clothing.

Footwear: Remove shoes before entering the temple.

Head Covering: Some temples may require a scarf or dupatta to cover the head.

How to reach

Open in Google Maps ↗

BEST TIME TO VISIT:



The best time to visit Erumbeeswarar Temple is during the cooler months, typically from October to March. During this period, the weather is pleasant, making it comfortable for sightseeing and participating in temple activities. Additionally, visiting during festival times, such as Maha Shivaratri or other temple celebrations, can provide a unique and vibrant experience.


By Air:

  1. Nearest Airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ).
  2. From Airport: Hire a taxi or use a ride-sharing service to reach the temple (approximately 15-20 km).


By Train:

  1. Nearest Railway Station: Tiruchirappalli Junction.
  2. From Station: You can take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or local bus to the temple (around 5-10 km).


By Bus:

  1. Local Buses: Regular bus services operate from various parts of the city to the temple area.
  2. Intercity Buses: Major cities in Tamil Nadu have buses to Tiruchirappalli, from where you can take local transport to the temple.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers:


Kaveri River: 


The Kaveri is the primary river in the region, flowing near Tiruchirappalli. It holds significant cultural and agricultural importance.


Nearby Cities:


  1. Tiruchirappalli: The city itself is known for its historical and cultural landmarks, including the Rockfort Temple and the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.
  2. Srirangam: Just a short distance from the temple, Srirangam is famous for its grand Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest functioning temples in the world.
  3. Thuraiyur: Approximately 30 kilometres away, Thuraiyur is known for its temples and local culture.
  4. Kottapatti: Located around 20 kilometres from Tiruchirappalli, this smaller town has its own unique temples and local charm.