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.
