Sri Abirameswarar Temple at Thiruvamathur - Vilupuram Distirct

History of the Temple

Thiruvamathur is located on the banks of the Pampa river, a tributary of the Pennai river. The historical names of this place are – Gomathrupuram, Gomatheeswaram and Gomathupuram. 

This temple was originally built by the Pallava rulers. Later on, the Cholas made several endowments. This is evident from the stone inscriptions available here. At a later date, Achutha Deva Pallavar is believed to have renovated this temple. There is an idol of Achutha Deva Pallavar here.

In this temple, there are stone inscriptions that document the histories of 26 kings from 955 to 1584 AD. The important kings among them are Rajaraja Cholan-I, Rajendra Cholan-I, Rajathi Rajan-I, Kulothungan-I, Vikramathithan, Sadaya Verman, Vikrama Pandian and Krishnadeva Rayar.

The stone inscriptions also reveal that a Chola king sanctioned a grant that helped several blind students learn the devaram hymns and sing them in the temples.

Year of Old : 1000-2000 year of old temple 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 21^st Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• Lord Shiva’s idol has the impression of a hoof at the top. There are multiple rivulet markings which signify that this lord was worshiped with milk that flowed from udders of cows.
• Inscribed on the chest of Goddess Muthambikai’s idol here is a small piece of what looks like a snake’s tail.
• There are two separate temples here. Goddess Muthambikai’s temple is right in front of Lord Shiva’s temple.
• Lord Shiva’s temple has a 7-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) with 2 corridors while the goddess’s temple has a 5-tiered main tower with a single corridor.
• This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.
• Vannacharabam Sri Dandapani Swamigal lived in this place.
• The first “Kaumara Madam” was established here.

Important Festivals

10-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) is an important festival celebrated here.

Other important festivals celebrated in this temple are –

Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar),

Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug),

Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),

Navrathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct) and

Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings 

From 06:30 AM to 12:00 Noon and 05:00 PM to 08:30 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Abirameswarar Temple,
Thiruvamathur Post,
Villupuram Taluk and District,
Tamil Nadu-605 402.
Tele: +91- 4146-223 379, 98430 66252.

This temple priests Shri Arunachala Gurukkal and Shri. A Mahesh Gurukkal can be contacted at +91 - 4146 223319, 98420 22544, 99768 87652.