Sri Ekambareswarar Temple / ஏகாம்பரேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், Mint Street, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, on Mint Street, in Park Town, was a part of the “Shiva and Amman Temples Visit”, in Park Town and George Town areas, on 22^nd March 2015.  Sri Ekambareswarar temple is situated on Mint Street is the longest one, where coins were minted during the British period. Many Shiva and Amman temples are spread in these areas. Some of the temples are 500 years old and have a long history. Thanks to the donors, who donated the land, properties, and money for constructing these temples and ensuring continuous poojas.

Moolavar : Sri Ekambareswarar

Consort   : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple faces east with a 7-tier Rajagopuram and a 16-pillar mandapam. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

A mandapam is in between inner and outer prakaram. In that sannadhi for Natarajar, Urchava murtis, Somaskandar, Dwara Ganapathy and Dwara Subramaniyar. Dwarapalakas are after this mandapam.

In the inner praharam Suryan, Navagrahas, Virudhagireeswarar, Adi Sankarar, 63var, in L shape, Nalvar, Vinayagar, Sri Subramaniar, Vadaranyeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar Visalakshi, Jambukeswarar, Arunachaleswarar, Chandikeswarar, Kalatheeswarar, Chidambareswarar, Palliyarai & Chandran.

In the outer prakaram, Ambal sannadhi dwajasthambam with simha vahanam, Vannimara Vinayagar, Arasamaram nagars, Nagalingeshwara under Arasamaram, Naga Ganapathy, Kala Bairavar and Anjaneyar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardhamandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam and constructed with stone up to prastaram. A stucco two-tier vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. 

The 16-pillar mukha mandapam in front of the Rajagopuram was built completely with stone. The arch between the pillars is also constructed with stone.

 

16 Pillar mandapam at the entrance ceiling relief and the Pillar arch  constructed with granite  stones

16 Pillar mandapam at the entrance ceiling relief and the Pillar arch  constructed with granite  stones

Pillar relief in the 16-pillar mandapam  - two snakes 

16 Pillar mandapam at the entrance ceiling relief and the Pillar arch  constructed with granite  stones

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS 

The temple was built in Edayarpalayam, now called Park Town by Sri Alingan Pillai about 500 years before. He was an ardent devotee of Kanchipuram Sri Ekambareswarar. He used to visit the temple travelling from Chennai, on all important days, especially on Pradosham days. On one such occasion, he was not permitted by his owner. But somehow he managed to visit the temple. On return, he was very tired and slept in this place. Shiva came in his dream and said that he need not come to Kanchipuram in the future, instead, he would have his darshan in the form of swayambhu at this place itself. After he woke up and found a Shiva Linga in that place and constructed a temple. Later Parivar sannidhis were built and during 1680 CE Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted by Sri Alangatha Pillai.

Sri Vaveshvar Mahadev Shiva Linga was installed by North Indians on 01st August 2005.

 

The relief of  Sri Alingan Pillai (? ) who is instrumental in constructing this temple

LEGENDS

Moolavar is a little tall and it is believed that if one cannot go to Kanchipuram, one can get the same blessings from this temple Sri Ekambareswarar. 

It is believed that Ambal will relieve her devotees from Navagraha Sani dosha. So many devotees throng this temple on Saturdays. Similarly, Hanuman is a vara prasadhi in this temple.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from 4 kala regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pournami, Amavasya days, Panguni Uthiram, Pradosham, Navaratri, Maha Shivaratri,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS 

The landline Telephone number is +9144 2535 2933 may be contacted for further details.

Website: CLICK HERE 

HOW TO REACH 

This temple is on Mint Street in Park Town a part of Chennai.

About a KM distance from Broadway Bus stand, Central Railway Station, and Fort Railway Station.

Nearest Railway station is Chennai Central Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

16 Pillar mandapam at the entrance ceiling relief and the Pillar arch  constructed with granite  stones

A beautiful simha vahana in 16 Pillar mandapam  

Moolavar vimanam with Rajagopuram in side view

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---