Ekāmbareshwar Kanchipuram

Ekāmbareshwar Kanchipuram

Ekāmbareshwar Kanchipuram is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas — five temples in South India where Shiva is worshipped as one of the five classical elements. Here he is pṛthvī (earth). The Pṛthvī Liṅga is made of earth/sand, not stone. It is never bathed — abhiṣeka is only with flowers and jasmine, since water would dissolve it. Parvati is said to have fashioned it under the mango tree (eka-āmra) during her penance to win Shiva.

The Ekāmra mango tree in the temple courtyard is claimed to be 3,500 years old (validated at around 750 years by radiocarbon). Each of its four main branches produces a different taste of mango — sweet, sour, bitter, astringent. Parvati's footprint is preserved below. The 1008-linga sanctum contains lingas from every Shaiva pilgrimage in India.