Popular Temple
Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
The Shiva temple of the earth element among the Pancha Bhoota Stalas
At a glance
- Location
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
- Presiding deity
- Lord Shiva (as Ekambareswarar, the earth linga)
- Temple type
- Popular Temple
- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Nearest railway station
- Kanchipuram railway station (~2 km)
- Nearest airport
- Chennai International Airport (~75 km)
- Best time to visit
- November to February; Panguni Uthiram is the main festival here.
History
The Ekambareswarar temple stands in Kanchipuram and represents the element of earth among the Shaiva Pancha Bhoota Stalas, where Shiva is worshipped as a prithvi linga. The temple grew under the Pallavas and Cholas, and its towering rajagopuram was raised in the Vijayanagara period; it is counted among the tallest gopurams in South India.
Spiritual significance
By tradition, Parvati performed austerities here under a mango tree, worshipping a linga she shaped from sand, and was accepted by Shiva. The old mango tree in the complex is associated with that story. Kanchipuram itself is counted among the seven Sapta Puri cities.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
Morning to night, with the sanctum closed through the afternoon. Check locally for exact hours.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
Kanchipuram is about two hours from Chennai by road, with frequent buses. The Kamakshi Amman, Varadaraja Perumal and Kailasanathar temples are all close by in the same town.
Continue your Shiva bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.