The Ekambareswarar Shiva Temple at Kanchipuram in Tamilnadu, is one of the Pancha Tatwa temples. Lord Shiva here is in the form of Prithivi Lingam or earth element. The present temple complex was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century and it was expanded later by the Kings of the Vijayanagar empire.
The temple complex is huge 25 acres – one of the largest in India. The temple complex has many halls and the most famous one is the thousand-pillared hall by the kings of the Vijayanagar empire.
There is no permanent Shivalinga or deity here but the Shivalingam here is made of sand every day,representing the earth element.
According to legend Parvati wanted to wash off her sins and did penance under the Mango tree near Vegavathi river. Lord Shiva wanted to test her devotion and sent fire to her. Devi Parvati prayed to her brother, Lord Vishnu, and Vishnu took the Moon from Shiva’s head and showered the rays which cooled down Parvati. . Then Shiva sent the river Ganga to disrupt Parvati’s penance. Parvati told Ganga that both of them were sisters and so she should not harm her. So Ganga also did not disturb her. Parvati made a Shiva Linga with sand and prayed to be united with Shiva. Pleased with her devotion Shiva married her. So Shiva here came to be known as Ekambareswarar or “Lord of Mango Tree”.
Here Lord Shiva is worshiped as Ekambareswarar Devi Parvati is worshipped as Elavarkuzhali. The temple also has a Vishnu temple, Nilathingal Thundam Perumal temple, known as a Divyadesam – one of the 108 Vishnu temples revered by the Vaishnavaites. The temple complex also has a Kali temple and a beautiful Nataraja.
A large bull is in the complex and a 3000 year old mango tree.
There are 1008 Shivalingas insde the temple. The temple complex also has a beautiful idol of Nataraja, Nandi and a Vishnu temple. The 1000 pillered hall built by the Vijayanagara empire kings is awe inspiring and the architecture and carving in the temple are truly beautiful.
Major Festivals
January- February Brahmotsavam, the golden car festival.
February- March Shivaratri Festival.
March- April Panguni Uthiram, considered very important.
September- October Navaratri Festival
Poojas:
The temple has six daily rituals from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m, and also has a twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. Various poojas are performe during the day and devotees can also get poojas performed for themselves.
Temple timings: 6 am to 11 pm.
Other things to see:
Kamakshi Temple, one of the great 18 major Shakti Peethas of Devi
Kailasanatha Temple is a beautiful ancient 8th century temple.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple is a beautiful Vishnu temple. It has a golden lizard and touching it is believed to rid you of Balli Dosha or sin of touching a lizard.
Panduranga Temple.
Mahabalipuram 68 km away is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 7th- and 8th-century Shiva temple. It is one of the famous tourist sites in India with a beautiful beach.
How to reach
By Air
Chennai International Airport located approximately 62.5 kilometres from Kanchipuram provides a very good air connectivity with rest of the world.
By Rail
Both New and Old Kanchipuram Railway Stations are located about 1 kilometre away from the Kamakshi Amman Temple.
The Chengalpattu – Arakkonam Railway Line passes through Kanchipuram and daily trains link Kanchipuram with Pondicherry, Tirupati, Chengalpattu and Arakkonam.
Four major trains namely Nagercoil Express, Madurai Express, LokmanyaTilak Express and Nagercoil Mumbai Express can be boarded to reach Kanchipuram. However, the trains might be late than their scheduled times. A faster and more convenient alternative to reach Kanchipuram by train is to take a train to Chennai and travel by road from Chennai to Kanchipuram via taxi or bus.
By Road
Road Transport is the most suitable mode of transport to reach Kanchipuram. From Chennai city it is 74 km. From Chennai airport it is 62.5 km. The Chennai Bangalore National Highway No. 4 passes the outskirts of the city. State Highways No 58 and 116 also pass through Kanchipuram. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates daily bus services every hour.
