Ekambareswarar Temple (Ekambaranathar Temple) (Kacchi Eakamban Tirukkoyil) is
a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva, located in the town of Kanchipuram
in Tamil Nadu, India.
It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the temples
associated with the five elements, the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, and specifically
the element of earth, or Prithvi.
Shiva is worshiped as Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar or Rajlingeswaram, and
is represented by the lingam as Prithvi lingam. His consort Parvati is
depicted as Elavarkuzhali.
The sthala-vriksham or temple tree is believed to be a 3,500-year-old
mango tree whose branches are said to yield four different types of mangoes
from its four branches.
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16 Kaal Mandapam
Before reaching the great entrance tower
(Raja gopuram) we cross the 16 Kaal Mandapam (pillared hall).
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Raja gopuram
Reaching a height of 59 m (194 ft), the
temple's Raja gopuram (the entrance tower to the temple) is one of the
tallest in South India.
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The bottom half of the gateway tower has the shrines of Vinayaka and
Murugan on either sides.
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Vinayaka is another name for Ganesha, one of the most widely
worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. Ganesha is known as the
remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and luck.
He is easily recognizable by his elephant head and human body, and is
often depicted with four arms.
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Murugan, also known as Kartikeya or Subramanya, is a prominent deity
in Hinduism, especially revered in South India. He is the god of war
and victory, and is considered the son of Shiva and Parvati, and the
brother of Ganesha. Murugan is typically depicted as a youthful,
handsome warrior carrying a spear called Vel. He rides a peacock and
is often associated with the destruction of evil forces.
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Gate of the first wall
After crossing the second wall, we cross the first wall.
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Great tower seen from the north (Raja gopuram)
Here we see
the great gate tower of the second wall seen from inside the temple.
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Below, we see the entrance gate of the first wall, also seen from
inside the temple.
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Panorama of the Temple South Pond
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Devotees use the water from these ponds for bathing before entering
the temple, symbolizing physical and spiritual cleansing.
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Many rituals and ceremonies, such as idol immersion and offerings,
take place at these ponds.
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Water is a powerful symbol in Hinduism, representing purity, life, and
fertility.
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Temple ponds also play a practical role in maintaining the ecological
balance and groundwater levels around the temple area.
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West gate tower viewed from east
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Vehicle hall (Vahana Mandapam)
The vehicle (vahana) of Shiva
is Nandi, the bull.
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Nandi is not just a mode of transport but also a devoted follower and
gatekeeper of Shiva, often depicted sitting patiently and faithfully
at the feet of his lord.
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Statues of Nandi are commonly found at the entrances of Shiva temples,
symbolizing strength and unwavering devotion.
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Panorama of the hall of the flagstaff
The hall of the
flagstaff has pillars sculpted with intricate figures indicating various
legends and avatars of Shiva.
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This hall is located in front of the east gate of the first wall.
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On the left side side, we can see the east entrance gate tower of the
first wall.
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Sculptures of Shiva, Parvati and their two children
The two
children of Shiva and Parvati are Ganesha and Murugan.
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Ganesha: Also known as Vinayaka or Ganapati, he is the elephant-headed
god known for removing obstacles and being the god of new beginnings,
wisdom, and luck.
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Murugan: Also known as Kartikeya or Subramanya, he is the god of war
and victory, often depicted as a youthful warrior with a spear and a
peacock as his vehicle.
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Devotees singing hymns
Further ahead, we can see the flagstaff, known as the Dwajasthambha or
Kodimaram.
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The flagstaff symbolizes the temple's presence and sanctity. It's
often considered an axis connecting the earthly realm with the divine.
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It serves as a focal point for the devotees, guiding their minds and
energies towards the deity housed within the temple.
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During temple festivals and rituals, flags are hoisted on the
flagstaff, signifying the commencement of the celebrations and
inviting devotees to partake.
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Devotees often circumambulate the flagstaff and offer prayers before
entering the main sanctum, showing reverence and seeking blessings.
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The presence of a flagstaff at the temple's entrance enriches the
spiritual ambiance, enhancing the overall experience of devotion and
worship.
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Shiva statue on the wall of the Ganesha temple, inside the flagstaff
mandapa
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Aayiram Kaal Mandapam
The Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, or the
"hallway with a thousand pillars", which was built by the Vijayanagar
Kings, is found after the east gateway tower of the first wall.
- There is said to have been an underground holy river.
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Temple mount used during the festival
The main festival of
the Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram is the Panguni Uthiram
festival.
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This vibrant festival is celebrated for 13 days during the Tamil month
of Panguni (March-April).
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It includes various rituals, processions, and cultural events,
culminating in the divine marriage celebration of Lord Shiva and
Parvati.
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Approaching Shiva and Parvati Shrine
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knights riding birds
Immediately before the entrance to the
sanctuary are large knights riding birds.
- A young lady in brass offers us ashes (vibhuti or bhasma).
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Applying vibhuti on the forehead or body symbolizes the purification
of the mind and body, preparing devotees for worship.
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The ashes remind devotees of the transient nature of life, encouraging
humility and detachment from material possessions.
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Vibhuti is considered a powerful blessing from the deity, believed to
bestow spiritual energy, protection, and divine grace.
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Wearing vibhuti marks one's devotion to Lord Shiva, who is often
associated with the sacred ash.
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The act of receiving and applying vibhuti at the temple entrance
signifies the devotee's readiness to enter a state of reverence and
spiritual focus. It's a humble reminder of life's impermanence and the
eternal nature of the divine.
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Inside the shrine of Shiva and Parvati
Shiva is on the left
side and Parvati is on the right side. Notice the precious stone placed
on the forehead of deities, often referred to as the tilaka or bindi.
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The stone is believed to represent the third eye, or Ajna chakra,
associated with inner vision, wisdom, and higher consciousness. It
signifies the deity's all-seeing, omniscient nature.
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For devotees, the tilaka serves as a reminder to concentrate their
spiritual energies and thoughts on the divine, encouraging meditation
and devotion.
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The ornament enhances the beauty and majesty of the deity, symbolizing
prosperity, abundance, and auspiciousness.
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The practice of adorning deities with jewels reflects the tradition of
venerating and honoring the divine with the finest offerings,
representing the devotion and respect of the worshippers.
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The precious stone is more than a decorative element; it is a profound
symbol of divine presence, spiritual focus, and cultural reverence in
Hindu worship.
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Receiving the blessing offered to us by the Brahmin priest
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The blessing is seen as channeling the divine grace and positive
energy from the deity to the devotee, ensuring well-being, prosperity,
and protection.
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The act strengthens the spiritual bond between the devotee and the
divine, fostering faith and devotion.
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The priest, having undergone various rituals to maintain purity, acts
as a conduit for the blessings, making them spiritually potent and
effective.
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The blessing often involves a gesture, such as placing a hand on the
devotee’s head, sprinkling holy water, or offering sacred ash
(vibhuti), each symbolizing different aspects of divine favor and
protection.
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These blessings are an integral part of Hindu worship, providing
devotees with a sense of spiritual comfort and reassurance.
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Stepping stone for luck and happiness
Mainly used by brides
to have luck and happiness in their marriage.
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Panorama of the Sthala Vriksham Mango Tree Shrine seen from
southeast
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The mango tree is revered as a symbol of fertility, prosperity, and
life. It is believed that Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva,
performed penance under this tree to regain Shiva's favor.
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The tree represents the deep connection between nature and
spirituality in Hindu culture. It is a living testament to the
temple's ancient history and traditions.
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The tree's four branches are said to represent the four Vedas, and
each branch bears fruit with a different taste, symbolizing the
diversity and richness of spiritual knowledge.
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Devotees believe that taking the fruit from the tree can bless
childless women with children, and it is worshipped with great
veneration.
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The Sthala Vriksham is not just a tree but a vital part of the
temple's spiritual and cultural heritage, embodying the essence of
devotion and reverence.
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Nandi shrine located east of the mango tree shrine
Nandi is
facing the mango tree.
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Panorama of the Mango Tree Shrine seen from northeast
It is
believed that Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, performed penance
under this tree to regain Shiva's favor.
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Penance, or tapasya in Sanskrit, is believed to cleanse one's
mind and soul, removing impurities and negative karma.
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It exemplifies self-control, discipline, and dedication, essential
virtues for spiritual growth and enlightenment.
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Through penance, devotees seek to earn the favor and blessings of the
divine, as in the case of Parvati regaining Shiva's favor.
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It is seen as a transformative process that leads to inner awakening
and self-realization.
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Rigorous penance is believed to enhance one's spiritual power and
energy (Shakti), making the devotee more attuned to divine
consciousness.
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Many Hindu legends narrate miraculous outcomes resulting from intense
penance, such as gaining boons from deities or achieving extraordinary
feats.
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Penance fosters a deeper connection with the divine, facilitating
personal experiences of the divine presence and guidance.
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In the Vedas, penance is regarded as a fundamental spiritual practice.
It is often associated with:
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Rig Veda: Emphasizes the significance of tapas (austerity) in the
pursuit of spiritual knowledge and realization.
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Atharva Veda: Describes various forms of penance and their spiritual
benefits, highlighting the transformative power of tapas.
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Upanishads: Discuss penance as a means to attain moksha (liberation)
and atma-jnana (self-knowledge).
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Penance, in its various forms, is a central theme in Hindu
spirituality, symbolizing the journey towards purification,
enlightenment, and divine union.
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