Ekambareswarar Templeएकाम्बरेश्वर मंदिर

About Ekambareswarar Temple

The Ekambareswarar Temple is the largest temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, one of the seven holy cities (Sapta Puri) of India. It is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, the great Shiva temples of South India that each represent one of the five elements, and here Shiva is worshipped as earth (prithvi) in the form of the Prithvi Lingam. The temple is also praised in the Tevaram hymns of the Nayanar saints, making it a Paadal Petra Sthalam.

According to temple tradition, Parvati once playfully covered Shiva's eyes, plunging the world into darkness. To atone, she came to Kanchi and worshipped a lingam she had shaped from sand beneath a mango tree on the banks of the Kampa river. To test her, Shiva sent a flood; Parvati embraced the lingam to protect it, and Shiva appeared and married her. The name Ekambareswarar is usually explained as "Lord of the single mango tree". The temple has existed since at least the Pallava period, and was expanded by the Cholas and later by the Vijayanagara rulers; the great southern rajagopuram is attributed to Krishnadevaraya in the early 16th century.

The rajagopuram, rising to about 59 metres, is among the tallest temple towers in South India. Inside, the complex covers a large area with several prakarams, a thousand-pillared hall and a temple tank. Behind the sanctum stands the sacred mango tree, regarded by tradition as very ancient, whose branches are said to bear fruit of different tastes. Because the lingam is held to be made of sand, tradition says water abhishekam is not poured on it directly. A small Vishnu shrine within the complex is counted among the Divya Desams.

Ekambareswarar Temple timings & aarti

Usually open from about 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.

Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.

How to reach Ekambareswarar Temple

Festivals at Ekambareswarar Temple

• Panguni Uthiram (Brahmotsavam)Mar/Apr
• Maha ShivaratriFeb/Mar
• Karthigai DeepamNov/Dec
• Aani ThirumanjanamJun/Jul

Visitor tips

Dress code

Traditional and modest clothing is expected: dhoti or trousers with a shirt for men, and saree, salwar kameez or long skirt for women.

Entry

Free general darshan; small fees may apply for special darshan or camera use.

• Start early; Kanchipuram has many major temples, and most close in the afternoon.
• Go behind the sanctum to see the sacred mango tree.
• The stone floors get very hot by midday, so plan the outer corridors for morning or evening.
• Photography is usually allowed in outer areas but not inside the sanctum.
• Kanchipuram is also famous for silk sarees, if you wish to shop after darshan.

Places to visit near Ekambareswarar Temple

• Kamakshi Amman TempleFamous Shakti shrine of Kanchipuram, about 1 km away
• Kailasanathar TemplePallava-era sandstone Shiva temple, about 2 km away
• Varadharaja Perumal TempleMajor Vishnu temple and Divya Desam, about 4 km away

Frequently asked questions