Ekambareswarar Sowcarpet

Saivite Temples, Chennai District

God

Ekambareswarar, facing east

Goddess

Kamakshiamman, facing south

Other Gods

Pancha Mukha Vinayaka, Viruthagiriswarar, Adhishankara, 63 Nayanmar, Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Muruga with consorts, Vadaranyeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Jambukeswara, Arunachaleswara, Chidambareswarar, Kalatheeswarar, Chandran, Surya, Vannimara Vinayaka, Ramalinga Adigalar, Ramanathar, Mariamman, Pitchadanar, Somaskanda, Shiva Anjaneya

Ekambareswarar Sowcarpet is a surprisingly large east facing temple located in a crowded area. The entrance is through a tall Mantapa and large 7 tiered Raja Gouram that opens out into the spacious Prakaram. A large and well protected temple tank is seen inside. Ekambareswarar Sowcarpet is another well maintained temple that displays the richness of the business people living in the area. A significant observation in almost all temples in the area is the presence of many Naagar (Snake) idols in different forms in regular worship and even more here than others. Goddess Kamakshi is in a separate shrine as also seen next to the main deity to the keen lookers. An idol of Panchamukha Vinayaka and another of Muruga under a 5 headed snake is seen under the Peepal Tree. Vaveshwara, Lord Shiva in Rajasthani Style, is seen in a separate shrine next to the temple tank. The Navagraha idols are large and Surya is seen in his chariot in the center.

Holy water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Arasa Maram (Peepal Tree – Ficus relegiosa)

History

Ekambareswarar Sowcarpet was constructed by Alanganatha Pillai, a dubash in the service of the British East India Company in the 1680s and is marked in a 1710 map of Madras city as “Allingall’s Pagoda”. It is what is called as one of the ‘Company Temples’.

Legend

Ekambareswarar Sowcarpet has a story of a regular devotee who could not reach Ekambareswara Temple in Kancheepuram one day and in his sleep the Lord appeared and indicated that he can be seen here in Swayambhu form.

Directions

Ekambareswarar Sowcarpet is on the southern side of Mint Street.

Stay and Food

Chennai has hotels and restaurants across all tiers. Parry’s Corner and surrounding areas have good new restaurants including a few old ones like Shankar Cafe. There are several small eateries in the narrow lanes doling out delectable snacks throughout the day, but care has to be taken in selecting the shops.

Saivite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples