Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram History & Mango Tree

The Ekambareswarar Temple which is also known as Ekambaranathar Temple is a world-famous Hindu Temple.

It is located in the town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, India.

This Hindu Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

In this post, you will come to know about Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram).

Ekambareswarar Temple

The Ekambareswarar Temple is associated with one of the five elements called Pancha Bhoota Stalas (specifically the element of Earth or Prithvi).

In this temple, Lord Shiva is worshiped as Ekambareswarar. Here the Shiva Lingam is referred to as Prithvi Lingam, and Goddess Parvati has been depicted as Elavarkuzhali.

Its temple complex is huge. It is spread across 25 acres. Moreover, the temple complex is one of the largest in India.

It has four gateway towers which are known as Gopurams. The tallest gateway towers happen to be the southern tower. It has 11 stories. Its height is 58.52 meters which makes it one of the tallest temple towers in India.

There are numerous shrines in the temple, such as the Ekambareswarar and Nilathingal Thundam Perumal. These are the most prominent shrines in the temple.

There are many halls in the temple. Its thousand pillared halls are the most prominent one which was built during the Vijayanagar period.

Ekambareswarar Temple Pillar

The Ekambareswarar Temple organizes six daily rituals, which are held from 5:30 AM to 10 PM. Plus, the temple has twelve yearly festivals on its calendar.

The Panguni Uthiram festival is held in the Tamil month of “Panguni” (March-April), which happens to be the main festival of the temple and the town.

Who Built Ekambareswarar Temple?

Initially, this temple was built by the Pallavas.

In fact, this vast temple is one of the most ancient in India. It is estimated that the temple has existed since at least 600 CE.

Adi Shankaracharya (the 10th-century saint) expanded this temple along with Kamakshi Amman temple and Varadaraja Perumal Temple by taking the help of the local rulers.

The present temple structure was constructed in the 9th century by the Chola dynasty. The later expansions were constructed by the Vijayanagar rulers.

The temple is currently maintained and administered by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the major tourist attractions in the city.

What is Prithvi Lingam?

The Shiva Lingam in the Ekambareswarar Temple is known as Prithvi Lingam. It is worshipped as one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams (Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu, and Akash), precisely the element Earth. The legend associated with this Lingam states that Goddess Parvati made Mitti Linga and worshipped it under a mango tree on the banks of Kamba Nadhi.

It should be noted that the Kamba Nadhi does not exist now. However, the mango tree is still present to date.

Just behind the Prithvi Lingam (in the Garbha Griha), the scenes of Shiva-Parvati marriage have been depicted.

If you happen to visit this temple, you can have its “Abhishek Darshan,” which is usually performed in the afternoon.

It should also be noted that no water or milk is offered to this Lingam straight. Instead, it is offered in the Yoni portion, which is made of stone.

Aarti is also offered to this Lingam in the evening.

Kumkum-Vibhuti Archana is offered to Parvati-Shiva near the mango tree. Prasadam is offered to the devotees who visit this temple.

Ekambareswarar Temple Mango Tree

The legend associated with the Ekambareswarar Temple Mango Tree states that Goddess Parvati did penance under this mango tree is almost 3500 years old.

Once while Lord Shiva was meditating, Goddess Parvati playfully covered his eyes using her fingers.

This resulted in the complete darkness of the Earth for several years. Lord Shiva became angry with this act of Parvati and cursed her.

Goddess Parvati had to come to Earth for penance to Kanchipuram. So she created the Earth Lingam and worshipped it beneath a mango tree.

According to another story, Goddess Parvati came to Kanchipuram and meditated under this Mango tree. She created the Earth Lingam. However, the neighboring Kamba River, also known as Vegavati River, overflew and tried to engulf the Prithvi Lingam. Goddess Parvati saved the Prithvi Lingam by embracing it.

Lord Shiva was pleased by the devotion of Goddess Parvati and appeared before her. He was melted by the embrace of Goddess Parvati and married her.

He got the name “Tazhuva Kuzhainthaar,” which means “He who melted in her embrace” in Tamil.

Ekambareswarar Temple Kanchipuram Timings

Daily Poojas are performed six times in the Ekambareswarar Temple.

  • Koo Pooja: 6:00 am
  • Ukshakala Pooja: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
  • Kala santhi Pooja: 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM
  • Uchikala Pooja: 11:30 AM to 12 noon
  • Pradhosa Kaalam: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM
  • Sayaratchai Pooja: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Arthajama Pooja: 8:30 PM

How to reach Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)

Airport: Kanchipuram is about 75 km from Chennai, which has the nearest international airport. Public as well as private transport facilities can be taken at the airport to reach Kanchipuram.

Railways: Kanchipuram is well connected by rail as well.

Road: Kanchipuram is well connected by the other parts of the state of Tamil Nadu. It is just a few kilometers from the Quadrilateral National Highway. Bus services are available from Chennai, and it takes 2-3 hours to reach Kanchipuram.

Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram) Address

Arulmigu Ekambaranathar Temple,
Car St, Periya Kanchipuram,
Tamil Nadu, India,
Pin code – 631502.

Well, that’s all we have for you in this post.

We hope that you are now aware of this famous and historic temple in Kanchipuram.

Thanks for your visit.

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