Ekambareswarar Temple Timings, Kanchipuram

In Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, Ekambareswarar Temple honours Lord Shiva as Ekambareswarar (the earth/Prithvi lingam), with Goddess Parvati. It is also known as Arulmigu Ekambaranathar Temple.

Represents the earth element (Prithvi) among the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalas of Shiva; renowned for its towering Raja Gopuram and the ancient mango tree under which Parvati is said to have worshipped Shiva. One of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas representing the element of earth, the temple dates back to at least 600 CE and was developed by successive dynasties.

Tamil Nadu carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of towering gopurams and living Dravidian temple traditions, from the Chola masterpieces to the great Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.

Darshan hours and daily worship

Session	Timing (as published)
Morning	6:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Evening	4:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Commonly published daily darshan hours.

Weekly or monthly auspicious daysPradosham days.

Signature annual eventsPanguni Uthiram.

Festivals and special-day timings

Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.

Festival	Period	What happens
Panguni Uthiram	March-April	The temple's major festival celebrating the divine union of Shiva and Parvati.
Maha Shivaratri	February-March	The great night of Shiva observed with special worship.
Pradosham	Twice monthly	Observed with devotion on the 13th lunar day.

History and architecture

Built or establishedAn ancient temple dating back to at least 600 CE, with contributions across the Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagara periods; the Raja Gopuram stands about 59 metres tall.

Architecture

Dravidian style over a sprawling 23-acre complex, with a 59-metre Raja Gopuram (one of the tallest in South India) and a celebrated ancient mango tree said to be around 3,500 years old bearing different varieties of mango on its branches.

History

One of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas representing the element of earth, the temple dates back to at least 600 CE and was developed by successive dynasties. The sanctum houses a self-manifested lingam made of sand, traditionally believed to have been created by Goddess Parvati.

Planning your visit

Dress codeTraditional attire recommended.

Best time to visitCooler, drier months (October to March); early morning for a quieter darshan.

NearbyKailasanathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple and Varadharaja Perumal Temple.

How to reach

Kanchipuram is well connected by road and rail from Chennai (about 70 km) and Chengalpattu; nearest major airport is Chennai. Local buses and autos serve the temple in Periya (Big) Kanchipuram.

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Ekambareswarar Temple in photographs

5 freely-licensed photographs of this temple, from Wikimedia Commons. Each is credited to its photographer.

Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - photograph 2 — © Lodo from Moscow, Russia, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - photograph 3 — © Ssriram mt, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - photograph 4 — © Amiya418, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - photograph 5 — © Luistxo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Where this information comes from

Confidence: Medium. Details (600 CE origin, 59 m gopuram, 23 acres, sand lingam, 6:00 AM-12:30 PM & 4:00 PM-8:30 PM) come from a single well-detailed social post; timings are typical but a second confirmation would strengthen them.

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Frequently asked questions about Ekambareswarar Temple

What is the timing of Ekambareswarar Temple?

Ekambareswarar Temple is open 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM, daily. Commonly published daily darshan hours.

What are the darshan (visiting) hours at Ekambareswarar Temple?

As published, morning darshan runs 6:00 AM - 12:30 PM and evening darshan runs 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Commonly published daily darshan hours.

What is the dress code at Ekambareswarar Temple?

Traditional attire recommended.

Which festivals are celebrated at Ekambareswarar Temple?

The main ones documented for this temple are Panguni Uthiram, Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham. See the festival table above for dates and what each involves.

What is the best time to visit Ekambareswarar Temple?

Cooler, drier months (October to March); early morning for a quieter darshan.

How do I reach Ekambareswarar Temple?

Kanchipuram is well connected by road and rail from Chennai (about 70 km) and Chengalpattu; nearest major airport is Chennai. Local buses and autos serve the temple in Periya (Big) Kanchipuram.

Who is the presiding deity at Ekambareswarar Temple?

Lord Shiva as Ekambareswarar (the earth/Prithvi lingam), with Goddess Parvati

What is the history of Ekambareswarar Temple?

One of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas representing the element of earth, the temple dates back to at least 600 CE and was developed by successive dynasties.

What else is worth seeing near Ekambareswarar Temple?

Kailasanathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple and Varadharaja Perumal Temple.

How reliable is the information on this Ekambareswarar Temple page?

This listing's confidence is rated medium. Details (600 CE origin, 59 m gopuram, 23 acres, sand lingam, 6:00 AM-12:30 PM & 4:00 PM-8:30 PM) come from a single well-detailed social post; timings are typical but a second confirmation would strengthen them.