Sri Abirameswarar Temple, also known as Thiruvamathur Temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and located in Thiruvamaathur, a village in Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu. Shiva, represented by a lingam, is worshipped as Abirameswarar, while his consort Parvati appears as Manonmani Amman. The temple lies along the Chennai-Villupuram highway and is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, composed by saint poets called Nayanmars and classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Spanning two acres, the temple complex is encased in concentric rectangular walls and hosts multiple shrines, with Abirameswarar’s shrine being the most prominent. Opposite the main premises lies a shrine dedicated to Muthamman, Abirameswarar’s consort. Rituals are performed three times daily, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with notable festivals like Sivaratri in Masi (February–March) and Navaratri in Purattasi (September–October) drawing large crowds.
The original structure, believed to date back to the Cholas, was later developed by Achyuta Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire. Legends surround the temple, including one where Shiva granted horns to cows for protection, leading to the village’s name, Thiruamathur. Another tale depicts the presiding lingam holding cow hooves, symbolizing Shiva’s blessings upon devotees and animals alike.
Inscriptions from rulers such as Rajaraja Chola I, Kulothunga Chola I, and Rajendra Chola III document the temple’s significance and the contributions of chieftains like Rajanarayana Sambuvaraya. His patronage helped preserve the temple’s heritage, restoring services and reviving festivals. Today, the temple is managed by Tamil Nadu’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, continuing to serve as a place of devotion and cultural preservation.