Thirukachi Ekambam

Thirukachi Ekambam is the most prominent temple when you enter Kancheepuram with its 9 tier, 172 ft high Rajagopuram. Thirukachi Ekambam is one of the Pancha Bootha (5 elements) Sthalams and represents Land, Earth. The other four are Water (Thiruvanaikaval), Sky (Chidambaram), Fire (Thiruvannamalai) and Air (Kalahasthi).  The Rajagopuram at the main entrance faces South and the temple faces east. The temple is also called as Ekambaranathar temple and Thiruvekambam. Several historical literature mention this ancient temple. Nandavanam – sacred garden, a beautiful holy Temple Tank, 1000 Pillar Mantapa, Vahana Mantapa, Utsava Mantapa, Saba Nayagar Mantapa and the Shiva Lingas around the Prakara present an unbelievably great picture. At the entrance Vinayaka and Muruga are seen in the opposite positions as opposed to normal practice. The Mango (Aam) tree which gave the lord his name is the holy tree and is still found in the inner corridor. Experts are said to have estimated the age of this tree as more than 3600 years. The main deity is made of earth and hence ablutions are made only for the Aavudayar (base). In Kancheepuram Shiva temples a separate goddess shrine is normally absent as Kamakshiamman is considered as the same. Nilathundam, a separate 108 Divya Desam temple is inside Thirukachi Ekambam. There are four other temples inside – Kachi Mayaanam, Valeeswaram, Rishabeswaram and Sathyanadeswaram. The Utasva (processional) idols here also very old.