Friday, July 21, 2017

Ekambareswarar Temple, Chettikulam – The Temple

Ekambareswarar Temple, Chettikulam – The Temple
This is an ancient temple built by Parantaka Chola.  Lord Vinayaka is adored as Varaguna Ganapathi. The original temple to Shiva is referred as Amarendreswarar dates back to the Chola period. Shiva is now known as Ekambareswarar here and his consort is Kamakshi. The temple is famous for its Kubera sculpture showing the Lord of Wealth on his Fish vehicle, installed in 12 places in the temple to represent the 12 signs of the zodiac.










When viewed from an elevated position, it is said that the idols combined together looks like the OHM letter shape. According to Vedic scholars from Tiruvannamalai, no temple in India has such Kubera installations. People come to the temple to worship Kubera for wealth. There is a Vinayaka shrine in the west hall of the western corridor.











Another Vinayaka is adored as Varaguna Ganapathi. Varaguna Ganapathi graces in the inner corridor with the five headed Naga (snake). The shrine of Mother Kamakshi is on the northern side-Kubera corner. Kamakshi Ambal is about 3 feet tall and is standing on a pedestal. The prasadam was green kumkum here and vahanam was horse.










Lord Muruga graces with his consorts Valli and Deivanai holding his Vel in a Vel shaped frame. A hall called Sthapana Mandapam has a Dwarapalaka pillar on the north side, having a sculpture of one head showing both a bull and elephant when looked at from different angles. This is a sculptural marvel. The main tower, Rajagopuram, is 100 feet tall visible up to a distance of 10 kilometers.










The main sannidhi has a majestic Shivalingam. The rays of Sun fall on Lord Ekambareswarar on 19, 20 and 21 of Panguni month (March-April). The Praharams has many pillars with the various Kubera carvings. In the inner corridor, there are 10 pillars producing different musical sounds if tapped with a dry sandal stick.








Kuberar Shrine:
The temple is famous for its Kubera sculpture showing the Lord of Wealth on his Fish vehicle. This is installed in 12 spots in the temple representing the 12 zodiac signs. People throng the temple to worship Kubera for wealth. There is a new Shrine of Kubera in front of the Ambal Sannidhi. Kubera is sitting with his wife Chitrakala on fish and also with Sanganidhi and Padmanidhi.






The Kuberar temple is inside the compound of Ekambareswarar temple and was built in 2012 by Mr. M. Ramaswamy, Additional Inspector General of Registration (Retd) who was born in Chettikulam, and his wife Shakunthala Ramaswamy. Lord Kubera is the leader of Yatchars who are here to help mankind and procure wealth.






Kubera is very much devoted to Shiva. Kubera is assisted by sanganidhi and Padmanidhi to offer wealth to mankind. The most auspicious period to worship Kubera is on Thursdays between Oct 15 and Nov 15 each year. Chettikulam Kubera is sitting with his wife Chitrakala on fish and also with nine Nidhis to bless devotees.