49. ERUMBUR

KADAMBAVANAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 25kms from Chidambaram and 25kms from Virudhachalam

Shiva: Kadambavanaeswarar

Amman: Kalyana Sundhari

Speciality:

In early days Erumbur was called Kadambavanam and the river which is running beside is called Kadambaaru.

This place was full of trees and greenery. 

There are many inscriptions in this temple and even in Chidambaram.

In 925AD, Erumbhur was called Nall Vayalur Kootrathu Urumoor, in 1018AD it was called Vada Karai Rajendra Simha Valanattu Pradhesamana Urumoor, in 1134AD it was called Vikrama Chola Chadhurvedhimangalamana Urumoor.

Since Chidambaram was called as the big temple this temple is referred as small temple.

This temple was built by the Later Pallavas and renovated by the Cholas.

We can see the Artistic works of the Pallava and the Chola sculptures here.

First the temple was built out of mud.

During the Period of Parantaka the first the temple was changed into a stone temple and Ashta Parivara devadas were built. 

In 9th century the Cholas built Parivara deities such as Suriya, Saptha kanni, Vinayaka, Muruga, Jyeshta Devi, Chandra, Chandikeswarar and Bhairavar (Ashta Parivara Devadas) but in later days the Parivara deities have changed. 

The Dakshinamurthy of this temple is sitting in a different posture with many jewels carved on him.

In the place of Lingothbava we find Yoga Arunachaleswarar on a Thamaraipeetam. He is also carved with many jewels on him.

We can find Brahma in a standing posture in all temples but in the Baala Koshta Brahma is sitting on a Tamara petal with Akkamalai and Kundhigai. 

These idols were carved during the period of Parantaka the 3rd.

There was no amman shrine and the name of the Shiva was Siru Thiru Koyil Peruman Adigal. The Amman Shrine and the front Mandapam was built during the regime of the Pandyas in the 13th century. They named the amman as Kadambavanaeswara Nayaki. Now Amman is called as Kalyana Sundhari.

There were Perumal temples in those days but now they are not found. 

One Perumal statue is kept in the Shiva temple. 

There are 20 inscriptions in the temple - Parantaka Chola I, Sundara Chola, Raja Raja Chola I, Rajendra  Chola I, Rajendra Chola II, Raja Raja Chola II, Kulothunga Chola II, Vikrama Chola and Thiripuvana Raja Raja Devan. The inscriptions of these kings are found here. 

The inscriptions tell us about the Lands, gold and enormous money given by the Kings.

People who lived in nearby villages of those days such as Marungil, Thachipedu, Aanaivari, Poigai Arasur, Ozhugarai and so on have contributed generously to the temple.

The Shiva of this temple was patronised by these Chola Kings and rituals were celebrated in a grand manner in the Chola period but now this temple has been a lesser known temple to the people.

History:

The story behind it is that the bones of some devotee had changed to flowers and therefore this place was called as Elumbur (elumbu meaning bone) which was later transformed to Erumbur.