Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Deity

Lord Shiva as Prithvi Lingam

Element

Earth (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam)

Timings

6 am to 12.30 pm, 4 pm to 8.30 pm

Distance from Chennai

About 78 km

Dress code

Shoulders and knees covered

The legend

Tradition holds that Parvati, doing penance on earth, shaped a lingam from sand beneath a mango tree and worshipped it. When the Vegavathi river flooded and threatened to wash it away, she held the lingam in her arms to protect it. Moved by her devotion, Shiva appeared and married her, which is why he is also called Thazhuvakuzhainthar, the one who melted in her embrace.

The Somaskanda panel behind the main shrine shows Shiva with Parvati and their son Skanda. As in the other Shiva temples of Kanchipuram, the goddess has no shrine of her own here, since Kamakshi is regarded as the presiding goddess of the whole town.

The sacred mango tree

The temple tree is a very old mango under which a small shrine to Shiva and Parvati stands. Its four branches are linked to the four Vedas, and devotees say its fruit tastes different on each branch. The saint-poet Sundarar is believed to have regained the sight of his left eye after praying here.

Festivals

The temple is lively through the year, and each festival brings processions and special abhishekam.

• Panguni Uthiram (March to April): 13 days, marking the divine wedding
• Brahmotsavam (January to February): with the golden car procession
• Maha Shivaratri (February to March): the main festival
• Navaratri (September to October): nine nights of rituals

Timings, dress and how to reach

The temple is generally open from 6 am to 12.30 pm and from 4 pm to 8.30 pm. Wear modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees.

Kanchipuram is about 78 km from Chennai, roughly two hours by road, and Chennai airport is the nearest. We can combine Ekambareswarar with Kamakshi Amman, Kailasanathar and Varadharaja Perumal temples in a one-day Kanchipuram tour, with silk saree shopping if you wish.

Also nearby