Thiruerumbiyur

Padal Petra Sthalams, Tiruchirapalli District

God

Erumbeesar (also Pippilikeswarar, Madhuvaneswarar, Manikoodachalapathi, Manickanaadhar), facing east

Goddess

Soundaranayagi (also Madhuvaneswari, Narunkuzhal Nayagi, Sugandha Kuzhaleswari, Rathinambal), facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Naalvar, Saptha Maadhar, Kasi Viswanathar, Gajalakshmi, Narthana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Sankara Narayanar, Vishnu Durgai, Chandikeswara, Navagraha, Bhairava

Thiruerumbiyur is a hill temple with about 125 steps leading up to the 60 feet high hill. Thiruerumbiyur temple has 2 Prakarams. There is a tunnel, which is closed now, that is said to be leading to the rock fort area. A large temple tank is on the eastern side of the hill. The hill itself is circumambulated (Girivalam) on full moon days by devotees. The Surya idol in the Navagraha group is seen with his two consorts. Thiruerumbiyur was called by several other ancient names including Pippileecharam, Manikoodam, Rathinakoodam, Thiruverumbipuram, Erumbeesam, Brahmapuram, Lakshmipuram, Madhuvanapuram and Kumarapuram. The Shiva Lingam is made of mud and is covered to protect it. It is leaning to the right and has a rough surface (see legend section below).

Holy Water (Theertham) – Brahmatheertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Thirunavukkarasar (7th century CE) has rendered Thevaram Hymns here at Thiruerumbiyur. The temple structure we see today was built by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) to commemorate his victory in the Tirupurambiyam Battle. About 49 stone inscriptions belonging to the Chola period (850-1280 CE) are found here which mention the gifts of land, gold, and other items to support the maintenance of the temple. It is believed that one king by name Siruthavur Sembian Veithi Velan constructed the Vimana. Thiruerumbiyur was the only temple that Malik Kafur (1296-1316 CE) apparently could not conquer during his South Indian expedition in 1311 CE. The temple was an infantry for the French troops during the war with the British in 1752. Thiruerumbiyur is mentioned as Sreekanda Chaturvedi Mangalam in a stone inscription. The Lord’s name is mentioned as Thirumalai Azhwar and Thiruerumbiyur Udaya Nayanar. The temple is under the maintenance of Archaeological Survey of India.

Legend

The Lord is said to have been worshiped here at Thiruerumbiyur by Indra and other Devas in the form of Ants (Erumbu) and thus the name. Vishnu, Brahma, and Naimisaranya Sages have also worshiped here at Thiruerumbiyur.

Directions

Thiruerumbiyur is about 9 kilometers east of Thiruchirapalli on the Thanjavur Road.

Stay and Food

Thiruchirapalli has many excellent hotels and restaurants.

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples