About Ekambareswarar Temple

The presiding deity here is Ekambareswarar or Lord Shiva, worshipped as the Prithivi Lingam. A Somaskandar panel featuring Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Skanda adorns the rear of the main shrine, which has been held in worship for centuries together. It is believed that Goddess Parvati worshipped Lord Shiva here in the form of a Prithivi Lingam, the Lingam improvised out of sand, under a mango tree. 

Legend has it that the neighbouring Vegavati river overflowed and threatened to engulf the Shiva Lingam and that Parvati or Kamakshi, embraced the Lingam, and Lord Shiva, touched by the gesture, materialised in person and married her. In this context, he is referred to as 'Tazhuvakkuzhainthaar'.

As mentioned before, there is no separate shrine for Ambal or the Goddess in the Temples in Kanchipuram, as she is worshipped along with Lord Shiva, as in every other Shiva temple in the precincts of Kanchipuram temples.

There is another shrine of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kamakshi under the Stala Vruksham or the temple tree, which is a mango tree said to be 3500 years old. The mango tree is said to be the embodiment of the four Vedas, and the tree is said to bear fruits of four different tastes during each season here.

The Saint poet Sundaramoorthy Nayanar is said to have recovered his eyesight (left eye) after offering his worship here.

Major festival celebrated at the temple:

At the Ekambareswarar Temple of Kanchipuram, various vibrant and unique festivals, which include:

• Panguni Uthiram: Celebrated during March and April, the 13-day festival marks the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. 
• Brahmotsavam: Featuring a Golden Car, or Raja Veedhi Ula, the festival is celebrated in January or February. 
• Maha Shivaratri: Considered the premier festival in the temple, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated during February or March.

Navaratri: Celebrated during September or October, the festival includes special rituals over nine nights.