Erumbeeswarar Temple

Erumbeeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Hoisted on a 60-foot tall hill, the temple can be reached via a flight of granite steps. Since the temple is on a hill, it is colloquially called “Malai Kovil” or “hill temple”. The temple is famous not only for its Dravidian architecture style but also its legend - Lord Shiva is believed to have morphed himself into an anthill and tilted his head at this place to allow other Gods who took the form of ants, to climb up and worship him. This is how the temple got its name: Erumbu means ant and Easwaran refers to Shiva.

One can see that that Shivalingam is a slanting one along with the marks of ants creeping on the lingam. The temple is one in a long line of temples built by Aditya Chola, of the Chola dynasty, along the banks of the river Kaveri, to memorialize his victory in the Thirupurambiyam battle, over the Pandyas.

Because of King Aditya and his Chola ancestry, we see that the temple has a number of inscriptions from the Chola Empire dating back to the 10th century. Because of its historical and religious importance, the temple has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India and is locally commemorated as the "Kailash of South India". 

While many festivals are celebrated with full gusto at the temple, the annual festival of Brahmotsavam (May/June) is one of the grandest festivals that is celebrated by the temple and is attended by thousands of devotees from far and near.

Along with the images and idols of Shiva and Saurabhya Kudalaambal., one can find granite images of other Gods also, like those of Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan, nandi and Navagraha, in the hall that leads to the sanctum.