Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Temple Speciality
Lord
Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. The Shiva Linga made of sand by Mother
Kamakshi adores the sanctum sanctorum. The symbol of Mother embracing the Linga
is still visible. Opposite the sanctum of Lord Ekambareswara is the Spatika
Linga facing west and the Spatika Nandhi is located on the prakaram. On the
Ratha Sapthami day in the month of Thai (January-February) rays of Sun fall on
Lord.
Of the
Panchabhoodha sthalas, the temple belongs to Earth-Prithvi. There is a Mango
tree in the temple dating back to 3,500 years. The divine tree with its four
branches representing the four Vedas yields fruits in four flavours – sweet,
citric, spicy and bitter. Procession deity Lord Ekambareswara is in a separate
shrine of glass under the Rudraksha Pandal-tent, the roof with 5008 Rudrakshas.
Devotees
can have the darshan of Lord Shiva in his huge form. According to pundits, this
darshan grants the devotee total relief from the cycle of births and deaths.
The Spatika Linga prayer blesses the devotee with a beautiful personality
removing evil thoughts from the mind. Also the Sahasralinga worshipped by Lord
Sri Rama to cleanse himself from the Brahmmahathi dosha and the Ashtothara
(108) Lingas are also in the temple.
People
use to light 108 lamps in this shrine. It should be remembered that gifted
Tamil poet Kachiappa Shivacharya who authored the great epic Kanda Puranam (Skanda
Maha Puranam in Sanskrit was authored by Sage Veda Vyasa) and staged it at the Kumara
Kottam Lord Muruga Temple nearby was born in Kancheepuram. Saint
Tirunavukkarasar praises Kanchi as a destination of vast learning – Kalviyil
Karai Illadha Kanchi Maanagaram.
"Thiru
Nila Thingalthundam", one among 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Desams is found
inside this temple. Sundarar got back his left side eye sight after visiting
this Sthalam. Sundarar, Manikka Vasagar, Gnana Sambandhar have sung Pathigams
towards this Sthalam.
This
Sthalam is also called as Pralayasiththu, Sivapuram, Vindupuram, Mummurthyvaasam,
Brahmapuram, Kaamapeedam, Tapomayam, Sagalasththi, Kannikaappu, Thundeerapuram
and Thandagapuram.
Sannadhis
for Vikada chakra Vinayagar, Arumugar, 1008,108 lingams, Agasthiyar,
Vellaikkamabar, 63 Nayanmars, Panatharesar, Markandesar, Kallakkambar,
Maththala Maathavesar, Pikshandar, Nalla Kambar, Nila Thingal Thunda Perumal,
Natarajar, Navagraham, Pralayam Kaaththa Ammai are found.