Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

 

 The Ekambareswarar temple is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. One of the five panchambootham temples in the country, the temple is of utmost significance in Hindu culture. Thousands of devotees visit the temple every year. It is one of the largest temples in Kanchipuram.

According to legend, once when the Goddess Parvati was performing penence, the Lord Shiva set her on fire to test her devotion. The Goddess prayed to her brother, Lord Vishnu to save her. Vishnu took the moon from Lord Shiva’s head and showered the rays on his sister to cool down the flames. Lord Shiva then sent the Ganges to disrupt the penance. Goddess Parvati then convinced Ganges that the two of them were like sisters, devoted to the same god. The Ganges also relented on hearing that. Parvati then made a lingam out of sand. Impressed by her devotion, the Lord settled in Kanchipuram, making it one of the 5 panchambootham temples.

According to another legend, the Goddess Parvati had built a lingam out of sand , under a mango tree. The neighboring Vegavati river threatened to overflow and engulf the lingam. Parvati, out of sheer devotion to the Lord, embraced the lingam and was ready to sacrifice her life to protect the lingam. Pleased by her devotion, the Lord descended to earth and married her.