In Sumerian mythology, Enlil’s temple at Nippur is called the Ekur.
The Ekur was one of the most revered temple complexes in ancient Mesopotamia. Its name is commonly translated as “mountain house,” a title reflecting the temple’s cosmic and sacred importance rather than simply describing an ordinary building. Enlil was one of the most powerful Sumerian gods, and his sanctuary at Nippur became a major center for ritual, kingship, and scribal activity.
Ekur is easy to confuse with other famous Mesopotamian sanctuaries. Eanna was associated with Inanna at Uruk, while Esagila was Babylon’s temple of Marduk. Abzu refers primarily to Enki’s subterranean freshwater realm and cultic association. Temple names therefore help identify the city and deity involved in a Sumerian religious text.