Ekambareswarar Temple,
Kumbakonam – The Temple
The
Temple is facing west with three tiered Rajagopuram.
Presiding Deity is called as Ekambareswarar and is facing west. He is housed in
the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. Vinayaga and Murugan can be found at
the entrance of the sanctum. Nandhi, Dwajastambam and Balipeedam can be found
facing the sanctum.
Mother is called as Kamakshi
Amman. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine in Maha Mandapam. She is
in standing posture. Generally, Lion Vehicle can be seen in front of Mother
shrine, but Nandi can be found in front of Mother shrine. As Mother appears in
Shiva Sakthi Swaroopa in this temple, Nandi is before her instead of Lion. Even
the Maha Magam festival is represented by Kamakshi only.
Though,
the temple is dedicated to Ekambareswarar and Kamakshi
Amman, it is better known for the Rahu Kala Kali Shrine. Hence most of the
local people call this temple as Rahu Kala Kali temple. Rahu Kala Kali is also called as Kalika
Parameswari. She is housed in a separate north facing shrine. Mother appears
with her eight hands to kill the demon with weapons on each hand and praised as
Ashtabuja (eight hands) Kali, holding sword, armour etc.
Vinayaga and Nagas can be found
at the entrance of her shrine. Ashtalakshmi Mandapam is situated in front of Rahu
Kala Kali shrine. There are shrines for Raja Ganapathi, Lord Murugan with his
consorts Valli & Deivanai, Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar. There is a
separate shrine for Poonjolai Mariyamman in the northern side of Temple
premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree.
