Ekambaranathar Temple

Ekambaranathar Temple

Location: Kanchipuram

State:TamilNadu

Principle Deity: Ekambaranathar(Lord Shiva)

Ekambaranathar Temple

Ekambaranathar Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city. The architecture of this temple is amazing. The gopuram of this temple stands as a massive landmark, spanning a height of 57 metres - one of the tallest in South India. The vast temple premises introduce you to many wonders, one after another.

The first is the "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" or the hallway with a thousand pillars. The next is the array of 1008 Siva Lingams that decorate the inner walls of the temple. The most important, of course, is the "sthala-virutcham", a 3500 year old mango tree whose branches give four different types of mangoes. This temple bears the work of practically every dynasty which ruled Kanchipuram.

This temple, unlike the Kailasanathar temple, lies right in the middle of the busiest intersection in the city and is filled with people almost all the time. It is located diagonally opposite to the Sankara Mutt. It will be extremely crowded on Sivaraathri.

According to legend, this temple is located around the 3500 year old mango tree. Hindu mythology says that Kamakshi Amman performed a penance here under the mango tree to get married to Lord Shiva. In Sanskrit, "Eka" means One, and "Amaram" means "Mango Tree". Hence, Ekambaram literally means "One Mango Tree".

Because of its age and vastness, not all places in the temple are accessible to Tourists. Some places can be accessed with special permission.

Recently, this temple hit the news owing to the visit of Queen Elizabeth in October 97, to see the 3500 year old mango tree and the weaving of Silk Sarees in handlooms. Silk Sarees of Kanchipuram have apparently been one the the Queen's favorites for a very long time.