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Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchepuram
Kancheepuram
The temple town of Kanchepuram, also known as Kanchevaram is said to be the religious capital of South India. Kanchepuram is about 75 km South West of the metro, Chennai on Chennai Bangalore highway, NH 46.
Kancheepuram is famous for its large number of prominent Saivite and Vaishnavite temples including a number of Divyadesams and religious places like Sankara Mutt. It is also noted for its hand crafted silk sarees for marriages and special occasions and a variety of delicious cuisines. Among the eatables, its lip smacking snack, Kancheepurm idly is a specialty by itself. It is therefore no wonder it attracts a large crowd of tourists and business men from all over the country all round the year. It is well connected by Rail and Road and the frequent MTC buses make it easy to reach Kanchepuram form Chennai.
Ekambareswarar Temple
The Panchabhutha Sthala Kanchipuram has Ekambareswarar TempleThis Temple represents Prithvi ,The Earth Element of Nature.
This town Kanchipuram,housing Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, is in a straight line with Chdiambaram ,Aakasa Sthala (Ether) and Sri Kala Hasti,Vayu Sthala, Air Element.
Temple's Speciality:
Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. The Shiva Linga made of sand by Mother Kamakshi adores the sanctum sanctorum. The symbol of Mother embracing the Linga is still visible. Opposite the sanctum of Lord Ekambareswara are the Spatika Linga facing west and the Spatika Nandhi in the prakara. On the Ratha Sapthami day in the month of Thai (January-February) rays of Sun fall on Lord. Of the Panchabhoodha sthalas, the temple belongs to Earth-Prithvi. There is a Mango tree in the temple dating back to 3,500 years. The divine tree with its four branches representing the four Vedas yields fruits in four flavours – sweet, citric, spicy and bitter. Procession deity Lord Ekambareswara is in a separate shrine of glass under the Rudraksha Pandal-tent, the roof with 5008 Rudrakshas. Devotees can have the darshan of Lord Shiva in his huge form. According to pundits, this darshan grants the devotee total relief from the cycle of births and deaths. The Spatika Linga prayer blesses the devotee with a beautiful personality removing evil thoughts from the mind. Also the Sahasralinga worshipped by Lord Sri Rama to cleanse Himself from the Brahmmahati dosha and the Ashtothra (108) Lingas are also in the temple. People use to light 108 lamps in this shrine. It should be remembered that gifted Tamil poet Kachiappa Shivacharya who authored the great epic Kanda Puranam (Skaanda Maha Puranam in Sanskrit was authored by Sage Veda Vyasa) and staged it at the Kuamara Kottam Lord Muruga Temple nearby was born in Kancheepuram. Saint Tirunavukkarasar praises Kanchi as a destination of vast learning – Kalviyil Karai Illadha Kanchi Managaram.
3000 YEARS OLD MANGO TREE AT KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE:
The mango tree has high importance; it is 3000 years old and still green. Lord shiva and parvathi get married under the mango tree in presence of Lord Vishnu and others. When you visit Ekambareswarar temple doesn’t miss to visit ancient mango tree
Local people believe that anyone with a wish should tie a holy thread to the tree and after fulfilling the wish they untie the holy thread. People who are seeking health, wealth, children, career and other needs will tie holy thread.
The unique features of Ekambareswarar temple:
There are several saints and Nayanmars who had consecrated this temple with their verses which include: Patinathar (Tiru Ekambudaiyar Tiru anthadi), Sekkizar (Periya Puranam), Arunagirinathar (Tirupugaz 44 verses), Sivagnana Munivar (Kanchi Puranam) , Irati Pulavargal (Ekambaranathar Ula), Padikasu Pulavar, Kachiappa Sivachariar (Kanda puranam) Appar, Sundarar, Manikavasagar and Tirugnanasambandar.
Generally, Hindu temples are classified under three different headings, famous for its place or Sthalam, its Tirtham or water body-such as a river or tank and lastly on its deity or Murthy. Ekambareswar Temple is famous for all the three entities. It is particularly known for its Sthala Virukshm, a lone mango tree within the temple precincts. People throng to the temple to see this Mango tree in particular. Under the mango tree, is a shrine, where Goddess Parvathi Devi is seen embracing Lord Siva. It is said Lord Siva, pleased by the devotion and worship of Parvathi Devi, appeared before her and married her under this mango tree. It is because of this reason, Hindus, even today, during special occasions like marriages and other auspicious events, decorate a string of mango leaves at the main entrance of the house.
There is an interesting story about this temple.
Once, Goddess Parvathy, in a playful mood in her abode, Kailash, closes the eyes of her consort, Siva for a brief moment. But what is a brief moment in heaven is several years in the universe and this results in darkness and the entire activity in the universe comes to a stand still.
The lord gets annoyed and orders the Devi to go to the world to do a penance as a measure of redemption from the mistake she had committed. The Devi Parvathi as ordained by her lord, goes to Kancheepuram to worship and perform a penance. She creates a lingam out of sand from the river bed and observes severe penance. Lord Siva, who is known in the scriptures for several playful tricks and deeds, tests his own consort Parvathi devi as well by creating flash floods in the adjacent river.
Devi Parvathy in an effort to save the lingam of sand from getting washed, embraces it with her hands, hugging close to her bosom. Because of this embracement, the lord gets two marks of impression on him due to the pressing of her bangles and her breast. Hence the Lord is known as Thazuvi Kuzinda Piran (தழுவிகுழைந்தபிரான்)Singers:
முக்காலுக்கேகாமுன் முன்னரையில் வீழாமுன்
அக்கா லரைக்கால்கண்டு அஞ்சாமுன் - விக்கி
இருமாமுன் மாகாணிக் கேகாமுன் கச்சி
ஒருமாவின் கீழரையின் றோது.
Festival:
13 day Panguni Uthiram in March-April with colourful events with processions in Silver Rath, Silver Mavadi Servai and Gold Vrushab- the Nandhi vahan of Lord Shiva is the biggest festival of the temple drawing devotee crowd in lakhs. The devotee crowd is also huge on new moon, full moon and pradosha days. Also celebrated in the temple are Deepavali, Tamil and English New Year days with special abisheks and pujas. Thousands come to worship Lord on these days.
TEMPLE OPENING TIME :
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
How to reach :
Rail Station : Ariyalur Railway Stations
AirPort : Trichy
Bus : There are plenty of busses from Chennai to Kanchipuram. It takes 1:30 hr – 2:00 hr for travelling to Chennai to Kanchipuram.
Contact Temple :
Sri Kanchi Ekambareswarar Temple, Kancheepuram-631 501, Tamil nadu, India.http://www.ekambaranathartemple.org/
http://www.kanchipuramtemple.com/ekambareswarar-temple.php
http://www.tamilbrahmins.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=25
https://ramanan50.wordpress.com/2015/04/06/shiva-marriage-tree-kanchipuram-3500-years-old-validated/
http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=578
Kancheepuram
The temple town of Kanchepuram, also known as Kanchevaram is said to be the religious capital of South India. Kanchepuram is about 75 km South West of the metro, Chennai on Chennai Bangalore highway, NH 46.
Kancheepuram is famous for its large number of prominent Saivite and Vaishnavite temples including a number of Divyadesams and religious places like Sankara Mutt. It is also noted for its hand crafted silk sarees for marriages and special occasions and a variety of delicious cuisines. Among the eatables, its lip smacking snack, Kancheepurm idly is a specialty by itself. It is therefore no wonder it attracts a large crowd of tourists and business men from all over the country all round the year. It is well connected by Rail and Road and the frequent MTC buses make it easy to reach Kanchepuram form Chennai.
Ekambareswarar Temple
The Panchabhutha Sthala Kanchipuram has Ekambareswarar TempleThis Temple represents Prithvi ,The Earth Element of Nature.
This town Kanchipuram,housing Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, is in a straight line with Chdiambaram ,Aakasa Sthala (Ether) and Sri Kala Hasti,Vayu Sthala, Air Element.
Temple's Speciality:
Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. The Shiva Linga made of sand by Mother Kamakshi adores the sanctum sanctorum. The symbol of Mother embracing the Linga is still visible. Opposite the sanctum of Lord Ekambareswara are the Spatika Linga facing west and the Spatika Nandhi in the prakara. On the Ratha Sapthami day in the month of Thai (January-February) rays of Sun fall on Lord. Of the Panchabhoodha sthalas, the temple belongs to Earth-Prithvi. There is a Mango tree in the temple dating back to 3,500 years. The divine tree with its four branches representing the four Vedas yields fruits in four flavours – sweet, citric, spicy and bitter. Procession deity Lord Ekambareswara is in a separate shrine of glass under the Rudraksha Pandal-tent, the roof with 5008 Rudrakshas. Devotees can have the darshan of Lord Shiva in his huge form. According to pundits, this darshan grants the devotee total relief from the cycle of births and deaths. The Spatika Linga prayer blesses the devotee with a beautiful personality removing evil thoughts from the mind. Also the Sahasralinga worshipped by Lord Sri Rama to cleanse Himself from the Brahmmahati dosha and the Ashtothra (108) Lingas are also in the temple. People use to light 108 lamps in this shrine. It should be remembered that gifted Tamil poet Kachiappa Shivacharya who authored the great epic Kanda Puranam (Skaanda Maha Puranam in Sanskrit was authored by Sage Veda Vyasa) and staged it at the Kuamara Kottam Lord Muruga Temple nearby was born in Kancheepuram. Saint Tirunavukkarasar praises Kanchi as a destination of vast learning – Kalviyil Karai Illadha Kanchi Managaram.
3000 YEARS OLD MANGO TREE AT KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE:
The mango tree has high importance; it is 3000 years old and still green. Lord shiva and parvathi get married under the mango tree in presence of Lord Vishnu and others. When you visit Ekambareswarar temple doesn’t miss to visit ancient mango tree
Local people believe that anyone with a wish should tie a holy thread to the tree and after fulfilling the wish they untie the holy thread. People who are seeking health, wealth, children, career and other needs will tie holy thread.
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 5[SUP]th[/SUP] 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 sangkirthanas 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 49[SUP]th[/SUP] 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 54[SUP]th[/SUP] one, consecrated by the saint poetTirumangai Alwar, called Tiruk kalva nur within Kamatchi Ammantemple 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 Nayanmars who had consecrated this temple with their verses which include: Patinathar (Tiru Ekambudaiyar Tiru anthadi), Sekkizar (Periya Puranam), Arunagirinathar (Tirupugaz 44 verses), Sivagnana Munivar (Kanchi Puranam) , Irati Pulavargal (Ekambaranathar Ula), Padikasu Pulavar, Kachiappa Sivachariar (Kanda puranam) Appar, Sundarar, Manikavasagar and Tirugnanasambandar.
Generally, Hindu temples are classified under three different headings, famous for its place or Sthalam, its Tirtham or water body-such as a river or tank and lastly on its deity or Murthy. Ekambareswar Temple is famous for all the three entities. It is particularly known for its Sthala Virukshm, a lone mango tree within the temple precincts. People throng to the temple to see this Mango tree in particular. Under the mango tree, is a shrine, where Goddess Parvathi Devi is seen embracing Lord Siva. It is said Lord Siva, pleased by the devotion and worship of Parvathi Devi, appeared before her and married her under this mango tree. It is because of this reason, Hindus, even today, during special occasions like marriages and other auspicious events, decorate a string of mango leaves at the main entrance of the house.
There is an interesting story about this temple.
Once, Goddess Parvathy, in a playful mood in her abode, Kailash, closes the eyes of her consort, Siva for a brief moment. But what is a brief moment in heaven is several years in the universe and this results in darkness and the entire activity in the universe comes to a stand still.
The lord gets annoyed and orders the Devi to go to the world to do a penance as a measure of redemption from the mistake she had committed. The Devi Parvathi as ordained by her lord, goes to Kancheepuram to worship and perform a penance. She creates a lingam out of sand from the river bed and observes severe penance. Lord Siva, who is known in the scriptures for several playful tricks and deeds, tests his own consort Parvathi devi as well by creating flash floods in the adjacent river.
Devi Parvathy in an effort to save the lingam of sand from getting washed, embraces it with her hands, hugging close to her bosom. Because of this embracement, the lord gets two marks of impression on him due to the pressing of her bangles and her breast. Hence the Lord is known as Thazuvi Kuzinda Piran (தழுவிகுழைந்தபிரான்)Singers:
முக்காலுக்கேகாமுன் முன்னரையில் வீழாமுன்
அக்கா லரைக்கால்கண்டு அஞ்சாமுன் - விக்கி
இருமாமுன் மாகாணிக் கேகாமுன் கச்சி
ஒருமாவின் கீழரையின் றோது.
- காளமேகப் புலவர்
Lord Ekambara Nathar is praised by the four saivite saints, Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar. This is the first Lord Shiva temple in Thondainadu region praised in Thevaram and Thiruvasagam hymns.Festival:
13 day Panguni Uthiram in March-April with colourful events with processions in Silver Rath, Silver Mavadi Servai and Gold Vrushab- the Nandhi vahan of Lord Shiva is the biggest festival of the temple drawing devotee crowd in lakhs. The devotee crowd is also huge on new moon, full moon and pradosha days. Also celebrated in the temple are Deepavali, Tamil and English New Year days with special abisheks and pujas. Thousands come to worship Lord on these days.
TEMPLE OPENING TIME :
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
How to reach :
Rail Station : Ariyalur Railway Stations
AirPort : Trichy
Bus : There are plenty of busses from Chennai to Kanchipuram. It takes 1:30 hr – 2:00 hr for travelling to Chennai to Kanchipuram.
Contact Temple :
- +91(0) 44 2742 0836
- +91 99441 17450
- +91 99768 42058
Sri Kanchi Ekambareswarar Temple, Kancheepuram-631 501, Tamil nadu, India.http://www.ekambaranathartemple.org/
http://www.kanchipuramtemple.com/ekambareswarar-temple.php
http://www.tamilbrahmins.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=25
https://ramanan50.wordpress.com/2015/04/06/shiva-marriage-tree-kanchipuram-3500-years-old-validated/
http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=578
