Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
The Ekambareswarar Temple is the great Shiva temple of Kanchipuram, where Shiva is worshipped as the Prithvi Lingam, the lingam of earth, one of the five elements shrines (Pancha Bhoota Sthalams). By tradition, Parvati made the lingam out of sand under a mango tree. The temple's sacred mango tree is believed to be about 3,500 years old, and is said to bear four kinds of mangoes on its branches. The temple has a very tall gopuram and long halls of carved pillars.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Lord Ekambareswarar, the Prithvi (earth) Lingam
- See the ancient sacred mango tree in the courtyard
- Walk through the tall gopuram and the long carved pillared halls
- See the temple tank and the shrines around the complex
Ideal for
- Shiva devotees completing the five elements temples
- Visitors who love temple architecture
- Families and elders visiting Kanchipuram
Good to know
- Sources give about 6 am to 12:30 pm and 4 pm to 8:30 pm, but others differ, so check locally
- The temple is closed in the middle of the day, so plan the morning or the evening
- Dress modestly, and remove footwear at the entrance
- Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours
Spiritual significance
Ekambareswarar is the temple of Shiva as the element of earth, in the temple city of Kanchipuram. The mango tree and the sand lingam are the heart of its legend.
Why it matters
- The earth (Prithvi) lingam: one of the five elements shrines of Shiva
- A sacred mango tree: believed to be about 3,500 years old
- A great temple city: Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India