Ekambareswarar Temple
ஏகாம்பரநாதர் கோவில்
Lord Shiva (Ekambareswarar) · Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
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About the temple
One of the Pancha Bhoota Stalam (Earth); Paadal Petra Sthalam Grounding, stability, and liberation from rebirth
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 20:30
- Established
- 600
- Best time to visit
- 06:00 AM for early morning peace
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Shiva (Ekambareswarar) · ஏகாம்பரநாதர்
- Deity form
- Prithvi Lingam (Lingam made of Earth/Sand)
- Religious tradition
- Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta
- Sanskrit name
- एकाम्बरेश्वर मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Ekambaranathar Temple, Kachi Ekambam
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 - 12:30, 16:00 - 20:30
- Break timings
- 12:30 PM to 04:00 PM
- Special days
- Extended during Panguni Uthiram festival
- Festival timings
- Extended hours during Brahmotsavam
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 06:30
- Midday aarti
- 11:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:00
- Night aarti
- 20:00
- Special aarti days
- Pradosham, Mondays
- Ritual schedule
- Six kaala poojas daily
- Pooja timings
- Based on Kamika Agama
- Abhishek timings
- No water abhishekam for Moolavar (due to Earth/Sand form)
- Special poojas
- Sahasranama Archana
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Pallavas (Original); Krishnadevaraya (Gopuram)
- Construction materials
- Granite, Brick
- Historical events
- Major renovation by Krishnadevaraya in 1509 CE
- Renovations
- Consecration performed in early 2000s
- Archaeological importance
- State Protected Monument
- Legends
- Parvati made a Lingam of sand and worshipped under a Mango tree
- Inscriptions
- Records of land grants by Chola and Vijayanagara kings
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Late Vijayanagara style (for the tower)
- Structure
- Large complex with five prakarams (enclosures)
- Floors
- 9
- Gopuram
- Southern Tower is 59m (194 ft) high (one of the tallest in India)
- Mandapa
- Aayiram Kaal Mandapam (1000-pillar hall)
- Sculptural features
- Intricate carvings of the 63 Nayanars
- Artistic elements
- Pillars depicting various forms of Shiva
- Construction technique
- Traditional Dravidian masonry
- Unique features
- 3,500-year-old sacred Mango tree (Sthala Vriksham)
Festivals & events
Panguni Uthiram (Marriage of Shiva and Parvati)
- Festival calendar
- March - April
- Special celebration days
- Maha Shivaratri, Tirukarthigai
- Cultural events
- Temple music festivals
- Annual events
- Rathotsavam (Car Festival)
- Peak crowd season
- October to March
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Wheelchair accessible
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- 06:00 AM for early morning peace
- Parking capacity
- 50+
- Parking fees
- Minimal
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI
- Prasadam
- Laddu, Tamarind Rice