Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram – Shiva’s Panch Bhootha Sthalangal
Ekambareswarar Temple is a famous temple in the City of Temples, Kanchipuram, considered as one of the five holy abodes of Lord Shiva (Panch Bhootha Sthalangal). The temple is one of the most ancient temples of India that’s been into existence since at least 600 AD, and is among the most revered ones in the entire country.Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple – A Quick Glance
Famous for: Ancient sculpture, heritage religious place, unique temple
Temple timings: 6:00 am – 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Rituals timings: 6:00 am, 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm
Visit duration: 1 hour
Best time to visit: March-April
Main deity: Ekambaranathar (Lord Shiva)
Architectural style: Dravidian architecture
Built by: Pallava & Chola kings
Area: 40 acres/16.18 hectares
Nearest railway station: Kanchipuram
Nearest airport: Chennai airport
Entry fee: Free
Address: Ekambaranathar Sannidhi Street, Kanchipuram – 631502, India
Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple – An Overview
Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the five Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva where each one represents one primordial natural element – water, ether, fire, wind, and earth. Here, at Ekambareswarar Temple, Lord Shiva represents the earth.The Panch Bhootha Sthalam is all about depicting natural elements where Ekambareswarar Temple represents the Earth. The other four temples in this category are Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Chidambaram Natarajar (ether), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind).
The temple is spread over a vast land of 40 acres and is one of the most ancient temples known to be into existence. There is no distinct and separate shrine for the female deity, Goddess Parvati, as customary is almost all the Shiva Temples in Kanchipuram. The glory of this temple has been sung and promoted by all the four famous Saivite Saints – Appar, Sambandar, Manickavasgar, and Sundarar.
History of Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram
Famous as the City of Temples, Kanchipuram is one of the seven holy centres of ancient India, and was once the royal capital, a flourishing Buddhist and Jain centre mentioned in the Tamil epic Manimekalai. The city was associated closely with Pallava and Chola Kings and was connected with their lives. The city served as a seat of art, religion, education and trade during the Chola period when several temples were built in and around Kanchipuram.The Ekambareswarar Temple was built during this era covering a vast area of 40 acres and is one of the famous ancient temples of the country which dates back to 600 AD. It was built with the contributions of the Pallavas, the Cholas, and the Vijanagara Kings.
As per the ancient literary works by second century AD Tamil poets, the Kama kottam, and the Kumara kottam (at present known as the Kamakashi Amman temple and the Subramanya temple respectively), the oldest reference of the temple can be found. The existing structure, then, was pulled down by the Pallava Kings only to rebuild it their way. Several contributions were added to the temple by the Cholas.
It was also rebuilt by Pandya Dynasty and the succeeding Vijayanagar era, with especially King Krishna Deva Raya making several structural contributions to this temple.
Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram – Architectural Marvel
The Ekambareswarar Temple is spread over a vast area of 40 acres with a huge Raja Gopuram (the entrance of the temple) reaching a height of 57 meters (187 feet). It is one of the tallest entrance of any temples in South India. The gopuram was built by Vijayanagar King, Krishna Deva Raya. The beautifully carved gopuram is one of the major attractions of Ekambareswarar Temple. It is carved with mesmerizingly graceful art forms and sculptures in different poses, which can keep connoisseurs hooked to the beauty at the entrance for hours.The Aayiram Kaal Mandapam is a stunningly beautiful and designed hall with thousand pillars standing in front of the sanctum sanctorum. It houses 1,008 Shiva lingam idols built by Krishna Deva Raya, the Vijayanagar King. One notable feature of the temple is that all these lingas are carved out of one solitary stone.
Sri Chakra in Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
The Sri Chakra in the temple has 34 triangles (Trikonas) and was installed by Adhi Sankaracharya. The chakra is made of eight herbals called Astagandham.The normal rituals (pooja) include the use of sandalwood and few other cosmetic powders along with kumkum.
The chakra is covered with gold on the day of Vijayadashami during Navaratri festival (September-October), and in silver during the rest of the year. The base of the chakra is formed in Kurma shape and is considered as Raja Yantra.
Legends of the Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple
There are several legends and mythological stories related to the Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram. As per one legend, Goddess Parvati once worshipped Shiva in the form of a Prithvi Lingam in the bed of the streamlet, the Kampa flowing near the Kanchi Mayanam, which is now developed into a shrine. The lingam was improvised out of sand from under a mango tree.To test her devotion and patience, Lord Shiva caused the neighbouring Vegavati River to overflow and wash the lingam away. Parvati was anxious and in her consternation, she hugged the lingam to protect it from the damage. Lord Shiva was moved at her gesture and devotion and he materialized to marry her.
Ekambareswarar Temple Mango Tree
The mango tree under which the lingam was worshipped by Parvati is 3500 years old and is still believed to exist. This tree has four branches representing 4 Vedas – Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda. Interestingly, it is believed that the mangos borne in these four branches all taste different.As a matter of fact, the temple derives its name Ekambareswarar from the mango tree where Eka means one, and Amar means Mango Tree.
At present, the mango tree is kept under closed glass walls located right next to the main shrine. A Shiva-Parvati shrine is also placed under this mango tree.
How to reach the Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram?
Nearest bus stop: Kanchi Bus Station
The Ekambareswarar Temple is 2 km (1.2 mi) away from Kanchi bus station. Tirupati bus station is 108 km (67 mi) away from where direct bus to Kanchi is available at regular intervals.
Nearest railway station: Kanchipuram Railway Station
Walkable distance of 600 meters from the railway station.
Nearest Airport: Chennai Airport
The Ekambareswarar Temple is 80 km (50 mi) from Chennai airport
See More Temples in Kanchipuram:
Sri Kailasanathar Temple – The Oldest Shiva Temple in Kanchipuram