Earth (Prithvi) (पृथ्वी)
Ekambareshwarar Temple
एकाम्बरेश्वर मन्दिर
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय एकाम्बरेश्वराय
Om Namah Shivaya Ekambareshwaraya
Presiding Deity
Shiva as Ekambareshwarar (Prithvi Lingam)
Consort
Kamakshi (separate Kamakshi Amman Temple nearby)
Why this is the Earth (Prithvi) sthalam
Parvati is said to have moulded a lingam from sand on the riverbank to worship Shiva. When floods threatened it, she embraced the lingam to protect it — the imprint of her bangles and breasts is still visible. The lingam being sand makes this the Earth Sthalam.
The Lingam
Prithvi Lingam — made of sand (swayambhu), never bathed in water; sandalwood paste applied daily
Sthala Vriksha (sacred tree)
Mango tree — 3,500-year-old single tree said to bear 4 different mango varieties on 4 branches (one per Veda)
Theertham (sacred water)
Sivaganga Theertham (within temple), Kampa river
Signature ritual
Sandalwood-paste abhishekam (no water — earth element preserved). Pradosham worship most powerful here.
Major festival
Panguni Brahmotsavam (March-April, 10 days), Maha Shivaratri
Significance
One of 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams sung by the Nayanar saints. Largest of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas — 23 acres, 1,000-pillar mandapam, 59m raja gopuram.
Best Season
November – February (dry, cool)
Nearest Airport
Chennai (75 km)
Associated Saint
Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar (all three Nayanars sang of this temple)