Famous Temples in India

SRI EKAMBARESWARAR TEMPLE

Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India

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God

The main diety of this temple is Ekambareswarar and incarnation of Lord Shiva, facing East direction. The symbol of mother embracing the Spatika Linga is still visible. The swayambumurthy linga in these temple is conical in shape, unlike the usual cylindrical shape.

Goddess

Godesses Parvati is consort of Lord Shiva.

Interesting Facts

  • Kanchipuram is famous for hand woven silk Sarees - a design by name Ekambaranathar obtain its name from the designs of these shrines.
  • The temple is the largest temple in the town of Kanchipuram.
  • There is a Mango tree in the temple dating back to 3,500 years.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37 °C during the day and 21 °C during night)Lowest - October to February (27 °C during day and 18 °C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

  • For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
  • For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
  • Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

  • Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the Temple.
  • Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at Temple.
  • Smo​king is strictly prohibited inside the Temple Premises.

transport connections

Name Distance Contact Number
Kanchipuram Bus Stand
1.8 KM 91-44-2722 2084
Kanchipuram New Railway Station
900 MTRS 139
Vellore Airport
74.6 KM 91-416-291201

Architecture

Once Parvati, the consort of Shiva was doing penance under the temple's ancient Mango tree near Vegavathi River. In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her. Goddess Parvati prayed to her brother Vishnu for help. In order to save her, he took the Moon from Shiva's head and showed the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati. Shiva again sent the river Ganga (Ganges) to disrupt Parvati's penance. Parvati prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so should not harm her. Subsequently, Ganga did not disturb her penance and Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand to get united with Shiva. The God here came to be known as Ekambareswarar.

Ekambareswarar Temple faces East direction and has a tower (Raja gopuram) is 57m tall, 9 tier and it was built by Krishna deva Raya, the popular Vijayanagara Emperor in 1509. In the middle stood a tall Dhwajastambha or the flagstaff on a beautifully carved stone base. The special feature of Ekambareswarar temple is that the roof of this temple contains the twelve zodiac signs. The temple shikar stood tall like the Mount Kailash that it represents topped with 7 Kalash. There are inscriptions dated 1532 C.E. (record 544 of 1919) indicating the gift of number of villages made by Achutaraya. There is a thousand pillared hall (Aayiram Kaal Mandapam) inside this temple, which is architecturally beautiful with 1008 Shiva lingam idols. This hall was also built by the Vijayanagara kings. Pachaiyappa Mudaliar seated on a horseback can be seen in the temple pillar. The temple consists of ten pillars in its Prakaram (inner corridor) of this temple which is said to produce ten different musical sounds when it is hit with a stick. Temple consists of four theerthams named as Siva Gangai, Kambai Theertham, Sarva theertham, Ulagani Theertham. The Walls are constructed by strong stone walls.

Religious Significance

Once in thirukkailayam, Umai - Parvathi hiding from behind closed the eyes of Lord Shivan. As a result of this, the entire world was surrounded by darkness. After realizing this, Parvathi felt that she has made a mistake and asked towards Shiva Perumaan the way to get out of her mistake. Shiva Perumaan asked her to perform the 32 Dharmas in Kanchi, worship him and she can get out of her sin. As said by Perumaan, Parvathi Devi came to Kanchi and performed the 32 Dharmas, worshipped the Perumaan thereby got out of her sin. The 32 Dharmas includes Deva Yagam, Pithru Yagam, Bhootha Yagam, Maanida Yagam, Pirama Yagam and Donating for poor, construction of Madams for Rishis, Pushkaranis, flower parks, helping the disables, taking care of kids, Ko Dhanam, Kannika Dhaanam, creation of Shiva bhakti, helping the Sivanadiyars and more. The temple was Built From Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar (7th – 8th Century C.E) have visited and rendered Thevaram Hymns for the lord here. Initially temple was bulit by by Pallavas. The Vedantist Kachiyappar served as a priest at the Ekambareswarar Temple. The present structure then was pulled down and remodeled by the later Chola Kings. Adi Shankaracharya at the 10th-century saint got Kanchipuram remodelled alongside growth of this temple alongside Kamakshi Amman temple and Varadaraja Perumal Temple with the help of native rulers.

History

The temple structure has contributions by various dynasties such as Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas and Vijayanagara kings during different periods. The temple structure has contributions by various dynasties such as Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas and Vijayanagara kings during different periods.

Temple Timings

Day Timings
All Days 06:00 AM - 12:30 PM 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Pooja

Ko Pooja
All Days
06:00 - 06:00
Ukshakala Pooja
All Days
06:30 - 07:30

Tours










Airports

Airport Name Distance
Shamshabad 40 KM
Lorem Ipsum 12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name Distance
Secunderabad 10 KM
Nampally 12 KM
Begumpet 6 KM
Lingampally 20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name Distance
MGBS 35 KM
CBS 28 KM
kukatpally 20 KM
Lingampally 30 KM
Uppal 35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Private Transport 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757

Local Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Local Transport 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757

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Green Thunder Water Theme Park that will help make your stay that little bit more special.

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The Oldest Bird Sanctuary in India

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Chembarambakkam Dam is a treat to one’s eyes

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Beach MAHABALIPURAM BEACH
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SRI EKAMBARESWARAR TEMPLE

Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India

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