Ekambareswarar Temple – Kanchipuram
Kancheepuram Ekambareswarar Temple
One of the most popular tourist attractions in the ‘City of Temples’, Kancheepuram is Ekambareswarar Temple. The temple is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalangal of Lord Shiva who is worshipped as Prithvi Lingam, symbolizing earth – one of the five primordial elements. His consort Parvati is worshipped as Gowridevi Amman.
The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
Image Atrribute : Hiroki Ogawa
The Temple – Legend
It is believed that Parvati worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a Lingam made out of sand, under a mango tree. Legend has it that, the nearby Vegavati River overflowed and threatened to immerse the Lingam. Parvati embraced the Lingam and Lord Shiva, touched by the gesture appeared before Parvati and married her.
Kancheepuram Ekambareswarar Temple Architecture
The temple covers an area of 23 acres. The temple houses Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple, one of the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple also houses the intricately carved 1000-pillared hall, a 192 feet high Gopuram, five spacious corridors and a huge outer stonewall. Around 1,008 Shivalingams adorn the inner walls of the temple.
The temple tree is a mango tree that is believed to be 3500 years old and an embodiment of the four Vedas. It is said to yield four different types of mangoes.
Reference to the Literature
The presiding deity of Lord Shiva is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva coronical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets the Nayanars and has been classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Temple Timings in Ekambareswarar Temple
The temple is open on all days from 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Pooja Timings in Ekambareswarar Temple
| Pooja Details | Pooja Details |
|---|---|
| Usha kalam | 5:30 AM |
| Kalasanthi | 8:00 AM |
| Uchikalam | 10:00 AM |
| Sayaratchai | 6:00 PM |
| Irandam Kalam | 8:00 PM |
| Arthajamam | 10:00 PM |
Temple Festivals of Ekambareswarar Temple
The prominent festivals celebrated by the temple are:
- Panguni Brahmotsavam – 10 day festival in the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April)
- Adi Krithikai (July–August)
- Avani Moolam (August-September)
- Navarathri (September-October)
- Karthikai Deepam (November-December)
- Thai Poosam (January-February)
- Chitra Pournami (April-May)
- Vaikashi Vishakam (May-June)
- Fortnightly rituals like Pradosham
- Amavasya (New Moon day) and Pournami (full moon day)
How to reach Ekambareswarar Temple
The temple is located at a distance of 2 kilometres from Kancheepuram bus stand. One can either take an auto or walk to the temple from the bus stand. Kancheepuram Railway Station is located at less than a kilometer from the temple. The temple is about 80 kilometres from Chennai and frequent buses are available from Chennai to Kancheepuram. The nearest international airport is also at Chennai.