Prithivi Lingam in the form of Ekambareswarara

Ekambareswarara:-

Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kanchipuram in the state of Tamilnadu, India.
It is one of the five major Shiva temples or Pancha Bootha Sthalams (each representing a natural element) representing the element – Earth. The other four temples in this category are Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Chidambaram Natarajar (ether), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind).

Legend:-

Legend has it that once Parvati was doing tapas under this Mango Tree.
In order to test her devotion Lord Shiva sent fire on her. Goddess Parvati prayed to her brother, Lord Vishnu. In order to save her, he took the Moon from Lord Shiva’s head and showed the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati.

After that, Lord Shiva again sent the river Ganga to disrupt Parvati’s tapas. Parvati devi prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them are sisters and should not harm her. And so Ganga did not disturb her penance after that. Then Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand and got united with Lord Shiva.
According to another legend, it is believed that Parvati worshipped Shiva in the form of a Prithivi Lingam (or a Lingam improvised out of sand), under a mango tree. Legend has it that the neighboring Vegavati river overflowed and threatened to engulf the Shiva Lingam and that Parvati or Kamakshi embraced the Lingam. Shiva touched by the gesture materialized in person and married her. In this context he is referred to as Tazhuva kuzhainthaar (”He who melted in Her embrace”) in Tamil.


The unique features of Ekambareswarar temple:-

The image of Lord Ekambaranathar is believed to have been created by the deity Parvathi devi herself, who is said to have performed a penance to attain him.
The processional image of Ambal Parvathi is Elavar Kuzali Amman.
A mango tree, the Sthala Virusham is at the back of the Sanctum of the inner precincts of the temple, which is over 3500 years old. It is the belief of the religious people that the Devi Parvathi had worshipped Lord Siva under this tree.
The branches of this Mango tree is said to bear four different types of mangoes, representing the four Vedas in Hinduism.
The main temple tower is 192 feet and is the 5th tallest tower in Tamil Nadu, visible even from a distance and was built by the famous Vijanagaram King, Krishnadeva Royar in the year 1509.
There is another smaller tower inside the temple which is called as the Pallava Tower.
There is a Sahasra Lingam with one thousand small lingams etched on the body of a big Lingam icon in the praharam.
One hundred and eight Lingam icons are installed in the first corridor platform of the temple (Praharam)
The images of Navagrahas are seen with their mounts or vahanas, a posture so rare to see in other temples.
On the day of the Ratha Sabthami, the rays of Sun fall directly on Lord Siva in Sanctum Sanctorum, which is a marvel in the architecture and speaks loudly on the knowledge of astronomy of the artisans who had constructed this temple.
All the three Carnatic Music Maestros, Thyagaraja, Shyama Sastri, and Muthuswami Dikshadar had visited this temple and sang kirthanas here.
The temple has five corridors (praharams) including the outer surrounding streets of the temple.
The Tirtham of this temple is named, Sivaganga Tirtham
There is a famous Vaishnavite temple, Tiru nila thingal Thundam, the 49th Divadesam, consecrated by Saint-poet, Tirumangai Alwar situated in the inner precincts of this temple. The arulmigu Perumal’s name is Nila Thingal Thundaththan and that of Thayrar, Ner oruvarilla Valli. This is the most important aspect of this temple and one of the two such Vishnu temples in the same precincts of the Siva’s temple in South India. The other being that of Govindaraja Perumal at Chidambaram. (There is another Divya desam the 54th one, consecrated by the saint poet Tirumangai Alwar, called Tiruk kalva nur within Kamatchi Amman temple in Kanchipuram itself but, this is in Ambal’s temple and not in Siva’s. The presiding deities here are Adivaraha Perumal and Thayar Anjeelai Valli Nachiyar)
There are several saints and Nay

History of Temple :-

This vast temple is one of the most ancient in India having been in existence since at least 600 AD. Second century AD Tamil poetry speaks of Kama kottam, and the Kumara kottam (currently the Kamakashi Amman temple and the Subramanya temple).Initially temple was built by Pallavas. The Vedantist Kachiyapper served as a priest at the temple. The existing structure then, was pulled down and rebuilt by the later Chola Kings. Adi Sankara, the 10th-century saint got Kanchipuram remodelled along with expansion of this temple along with Kamakshi Amman temple and Varadaraja Perumal Temple with the help of local rulers.

The Vijayanagar kings, during the 15th century, also made lot of contributions to the temple and later developed by Vallal Pachiyappa Mudaliar used to go regularly from Chennai to Kanchipuram to worship in this temple, he spent significant money he amazed during British rule on the temple renovation, Pachiyappa Mudaliar seated at horse back can be seen in the temple pillar. At the later stage a similar temple with same name Ekambareswarar was constructed in Chennai by Pachiappa Mudaliar in order to avoid travelling time to Kanchipuram. The Archaeological Survey of India report of 1905-06 indicates wide spread renovation activities carried out in the temple by Nattukottai Chettiar.


Deities:-

 The presiding deity here is Ekambareswarar or Shiva, worshipped as the Prithivi Lingam. A Somaskanda panel featuring Shiva, Parvati and Skanda adorns the rear of the main shrine, which has been held in worship for centuries together. It is believed that Parvati, the consort of Shiva worshipped him in the form of a Prithivi Lingam, or a Lingam improvised out of sand, under a mango tree. Legend has it that the neighboring Vegavati river overflowed and threatened to engulf the Shiva Lingam and that Parvati or Kamakshi, embraced the Lingam, and Shiva, touched by the gesture materialized in person and married her. In this context he is referred to as 'Tazhuvakkuzhainthaar' in Tamil.

As mentioned before, there is no separate shrine for Ambal or the Goddess in the temple as she is worshipped along with Shiva, as in every other Shiva temple in the precincts of the town of Kanchipuram.

There is another shrine of Shiva and Kamakshi under the Stala Vruksham or the Temple tree, which is a mango tree said to be 3500 years old. The mango tree is said to be the embodiment of the four Vedas and the tree is said to bear fruits of four different tastes each season here.


About Temple:-

Kanchi Ekambareswarar temple is one of the most significant temples to Siva. It is also a Panchabootha sthala & Shiva is revered here as Prithvi Lingam. This is also the first of the 32 Tevara Stahalams of Tondai Region. Sambandar, Appar & Sundarar have sung patikams. There is no separate shrine for Ambal here as Kamakshiamman is the sole Ambal for all Siva temples of Kanchipuram. The Sthala Vriksham is mango tree.

 The Pallavas, Cholas & later the Vijayanagara Kings contributed considerably to the development of temple in its current form.
As per legend Parvati worshipped Siva as Prithvi Lingam ( lingam made from sand) under a mango tree. As the Vegavati river overflowed and threatened to engulf the Lingam, Parvati or Kamakshi embraced the lingam and Siva deeply touched by this gesture materialized in person and married her.

The temple has high rise Gopurams which dominate the skyline of Kanchipuram, the historical capital of the Pallavas. Second Century AD Tamil poetry speaks of Kamakottam(Kamakshiamman) and Kumarakottam(Subramaniaswamy). The temple covers an area of 40 acres. The Raja Gopuram rises to a height of 172 ft and was built by Krishna Deva Raya. The Pillared Mandapam in front of the sanctum was also built by Vijayanagara Kings.

Thr presiding deity here is Ekambareswarar or Siva worshipped as the Prithvi Lingam. A Somaskanda panel adorns the rear of the main shrine. There is another shrine of Siva & Kamakshi under the sthala vriksham which is a mango tree said to be over 3500 years old. The tree is said to be the embodiment of the four Vedas and is said to bear fruits of four different tastes each season.

The outer prakaram:-

As you circumambulate you see the long multi pillared entrance mandapam, the large Nandi of Sodai, stone Nandi Mandapam & Dwaja Sthambam, sub shrine of Mayaneeswarar & the big temple Teertham with pillared pavilions & steps all around.

Inner prakaram:-

 As you circumambulate you see a sub shrine of Mahapralaya Bandhini east facing , 136 lingams in the South & West prakarams including Saharsa Lingam in the NW corner. On the North side you have Palli Arai & Natarajar vigraham.

Around the Garbha Graha:-

 The customary idols around the goshtam are conspicious by their absence. Around the Garbha Griha you can see Nalwars on the east, Nalwars again and 63 Nayanmars on the south, Somaskandar, 108 lingams on west. Also Mavadi Mandapam on the west. On the NE corner facing west is the shrine of Nilaathungal Tunda Perumal which is considred amongst the 108 Divya Desams. Nilaattungal (Chandra Choota Perumaal) is the Moolavar in a standing posture facing west, while Ner Oruvarillaa Valli is the name of Taayaar here.


Kamakshi Amman Temple :-

This is an important shakthisthalam, known as parabrahmaroonpini. The main deity is seated on brahma, vishnu, rudra, eswara and sadasiva. The Cholas built the temple in its present from in the 12th century A.D. The temple has beautiful gopurams, pillars, mandapams and tanks. 

Kailasanathar Temple :-

Raja Simha, the father of Mahendravarman built this ancient temple in 81th Century A.D and later completed it. It is built in the typical Pallava style, with a pyramidal tower, a pillared hall and vestibule, enclosed by a wall. The temple is famous for exquisite carvings and attracts devotees and tourists alike. There are 58 small shrines situated around the main shrine, as a compound wall. Fresco style paintings adorn the inner walls of the temple. 

Varadaraja Perumal Temple :-

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Vijaynagar kings built this temple and the presiding deity is Varadaraja Swamy. The 100-pillared hall of this temple proves the mastery of the sculptors of Vijayanagara. Among the best pieces are the severed halves of a large chain carved out of a single stone and the figures of the God of Love and his consort astride a swan and a parrot respectively. 

Vaikunta Perumal Temple :-

This Vaishnavite temple dates back to the 8th century and was built by Nandivarma Pallava. Battle scenes depicting Pallava valour are carved on the panels surrounding the main prakaram. 

Ulagalanda Perumal Temple :-

Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as the dwarf vamana, subdued the pride of king Mahabali. Jayamkonda Cholan built this temple. There is an awe-inspiring idol of Vishnu that is 35 feet in height. 

Ashtabuja Perumal Temple :-

The remarkable feature of this deity is that it has eight arms. Lord Vishnu is in standing posture, facing west. The temple has ancient stone inscriptions. 
 was typically Scottish, with arches and pillars. 


Kanchi Mutt :-

The Kanchi Mutt is one of the mutts or peetams established by Adi Sankara, who lived from 788 to 820 AD. It has established a modern centre of learning, which has been given a deemed University status. This is at Enathur,5 kms from Kanchi. The centre has a library with ancient books and palm leaf manuscripts. 

Kanchi Kudil :-

This house house is nearly 100 years old. It has an old style veranda, open courtyard, cashbox, furniture,etc. On the way to the Kailasanathar temple in Kanchipuram we can see this house.

Festivals :-

 Six worship service are offered each day in this temple , namely :
Ushad Kaalam
Kaalasanthi
Uchi Kaalam
Pradosham
Sayratchai and
Ardhajamam


Festivals which are celebrated throughout the year:-

Thai Poosam (Jan - feb)
Panguni Uthiram (March - April)
Chitra Pournami (April - May)
Vaikashi Visakam (May - June)
Ani Thirumanjanam (June - July)
Adi Krithikai (July - August)
Avani Moolam ( August - September)
Navaratri ( September - October)
karthikai Deepam (November - December)

How to Reach:-

By Train:-
Kancheepuram railway station is on the Chengalpattu-Arakkonam section of the Southern Railway. Local electric train facilities are available from chennai to kanchipuram

By Road:-
Kancheepuram is situated at a distance of 80 Kms from Chennai by road.

By Air:-
Nearest airport is Chennai.