Sri Ekambareswarar Temple

The Sri Ekambareswarar Temple is a sprawling and magnificent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. It’s one of the largest temple complexes in India, rich in history and architectural brilliance. Here are some of the sightseeing places you can explore here:

• The Gopurams (Gateway Towers): The temple complex has four majestic gateway towers, each adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. The southern gopuram is the tallest, reaching an impressive height of nearly 60 meters (197 feet).

  

  Sri Ekambareswarar Temple Gopuram, Kanchipuram

• The Inner Sanctum: The inner sanctum houses the sacred Shivalinga, the primary deity of the temple. Here, you can also find an image of Lord Shiva himself. The inner precinct is embellished with a collection of Shiva lingas, including a Sahasra Lingam, which has 1,008 individual Shiva lingams carved onto its surface.

• The Thousand-Pillared Hall: This massive hall, also known as the Raja Sabha Mandapam, is known for its forest of over 950 intricately carved pillars. It’s a stunning example of Chola dynasty architecture from the 9th century.

  

  Sri Ekambareswarar Temple ThousandPillared Hall, Kanchipuram

• The Manmatha Thirtha: This sacred pool within the temple complex is believed to possess special healing powers. Devotees take a holy dip here to seek blessings and spiritual purification.

• The Old Mango Tree: This revered tree within the temple complex is believed to be over 3,000 years old. It’s considered a sacred abode of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva.

In addition to these, here are some other interesting places you can visit within the temple complex:

• Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham: This Shankara math is one of the four cardinal Shankaracharya Peethams of Hinduism. It is considered a holy place for followers of Adi Shankara.

  

  Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Kanchipuram

• Devanatha Swami Temple: Dedicated to Vishnu, this temple is located within the Ekambareswarar temple complex. It’s known for its beautiful architecture and the presence of a reclining Vishnu idol.

  

  Devanatha Swami Temple, Kanchipuram

• Ekambareswarar Temple – Archeological Museum: This museum houses a collection of artifacts, sculptures and inscriptions related to the temple’s history and the region.

Here are some additional details that might be helpful for your visit:

• Timings: The temple is generally open from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM. It’s recommended to check specific timings before your visit, especially during festivals like the Panguni Brahmotsavam, a ten-day celebration held in March-April.

• Dress Code: As with most temples in India, dressing modestly is recommended.

• Photography: Photography is allowed in most areas of the temple complex, except for the inner sanctum.

The Sri Ekambareswarar Temple is a sprawling and magnificent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. It’s one of the largest temple complexes in India, rich in history and architectural brilliance. Here are some of the sightseeing places you can explore here:

• The Gopurams (Gateway Towers): The temple complex has four majestic gateway towers, each adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. The southern gopuram is the tallest, reaching an impressive height of nearly 60 meters (197 feet).

  

  Sri Ekambareswarar Temple Gopuram

• The Inner Sanctum: The inner sanctum houses the sacred Shivalinga, the primary deity of the temple. Here, you can also find an image of Lord Shiva himself. The inner precinct is embellished with a collection of Shiva lingas, including a Sahasra Lingam, which has 1,008 individual Shiva lingams carved onto its surface.

• The Thousand-Pillared Hall: This massive hall, also known as the Raja Sabha Mandapam, is known for its forest of over 950 intricately carved pillars. It’s a stunning example of Chola dynasty architecture from the 9th century.

  

  Sri Ekambareswarar Temple ThousandPillared Hall

• The Manmatha Thirtha: This sacred pool within the temple complex is believed to possess special healing powers. Devotees take a holy dip here to seek blessings and spiritual purification.

• The Old Mango Tree: This revered tree within the temple complex is believed to be over 3,000 years old. It’s considered a sacred abode of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva.

Here are some additional details that might be helpful for your visit:

• Timings: The temple is generally open from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM. It’s recommended to check specific timings before your visit, especially during festivals like the Panguni Brahmotsavam, a ten-day celebration held in March-April.

• Dress Code: As with most temples in India, dressing modestly is recommended.

• Photography: Photography is allowed in most areas of the temple complex, except for the inner sanctum.