Thursday, April 21, 2011

Ekambareshvara Temple, Kanchipuram

There are many beautiful temples in Kanchipuram (State: Tamil Nadu). Here, the Ekambareshvara Temple is one of the largest temple and dates back to sometime between 16th to 17th centuries. The temple was constructed by the rulers of Pallava Dynasty and improvised by other dynasties.

The tall tower on the Southern entrance is 180 feet in height. This was erected by Maharaja Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagara Dynasty.

The temple has a huge hall with thousand pillars. To the North of the mantapa is a tank; west of the mandapa is the main shrine which contains the Earth Lingam (a form of Lord Shiva). There is a 3500 year old mango tree to the west of the main shrine. The tree produces four different varieties of mangoes.

56 comments:

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Legendary indeed!

George said...

Thanks for sharing this interesting temple. The mango tree sounds absolutely fascinating.

Jenny Woolf said...

I can hardly imagine a hall with a thousand pillars. It sounds like something from a fairy tale!

I like to think that there are maybe really 1001 pillars, but the extra pillar is a prince who was turned to stone :-) :-)

Anonymous said...

So lovely!

Teamgsquare said...

just wonderful .

Tammie Lee said...

you must travel often to get all your wonderful photos.

Eve said...

Wow - there is so much detail in that building - AMAZING!

Sylvia K said...

Awesome temple, lovely skies and terrific captures as always, Rajesh! Hope you have a great weekend! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Carver said...

Beautiful work of art and architecture. I particularly like the second shot.

Kim, USA said...

Hi Rajesh I just wonder where are the people who in one time make the dynasty? Does anybody inherit those temples?

SWF

Regina said...

Great structures!
Happy SWF. Enjoy Easter weekend.

B i r g i t t a said...

Spectacular buildings as always :) It is so exotic and interesting!
Happy SWF!

Pearl Maple said...

Thank you for sharing your collection of photos with Sky Watch Fans, always something interesting on show.

Kay L. Davies said...

The temple is wonderful, Rajesh, but I am amazed at the age of the mango tree and four kinds of mango.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful photos of the temple, the scenery is pretty. It must nice to have all the mangoes you can eat. Happy skywatching!

genie said...

Once again you have given us an awesome piece of history from your beautiful country. Love the idea of the different varieties of mangos. I thought there was just one....you learn something new each day.

Marites said...

A mango tree that produces 4 varieties? Wow! awesome! have a good weekend! my skywatch is up too.

clairz said...

Such amazing numbers--1000 pillars, and a 3500 year old tree. Thank you, as always, for such wonderful posts.

magiceye said...

beautiful!

Sridharan said...

I've visited this great temple recently.. Nice to see the pictures again..!

forgetmenot said...

Such beautiful old temple and building all over your land-- lovey to be able to see them through your photos. Thanks. Mickie :)

genie said...

This tower is amazing...and to think it has lasted so very, very long. Love seeing the pretty lady in her sari. The silks and the colors of these beautiful draped garments are so wonderful.

Ebie said...

Amazing! I could imagine the artistic details of the pillars!

LifeRamblings said...

what a beautiful temple. Happy skywatching!

thomas said...

It's indeed a very old temple,
nice capture.

Debbie Taillieu said...

This is another beautiful temple. It would so great to have a mango tree here. Not happening in the desert I'm afraid.
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my blog!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Debbie's Travels

alicesg said...

All the photos of all the temples you took are really amazing and beautiful. They are so well built and crafted. Have a nice weekend.

Anonymous said...

the water color is so pretty! =)

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

have a blessed Friday.
lovely post.

Clytie said...

Extraordinarily beautiful shots! I'm so glad you told some of the history behind this beautiful old (REALLY old) temple. I can't imagine a mango tree being so old either. Wow.

snowwhite said...

What a rich culture your country has!! Amazing mango tree!! Everything is magnificent. Have a great weekend.

""rarejonRez"" said...

visiting from Sky Watch Friday!

Hope you can check out The Sky in my IDLENESS entry! See you!

Leovi said...

Magnificent, are all so beautiful and spectacular that is not with which to choose. A greeting.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rajesh

Nice post with photos

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Hi Raj
Happy Easter by Igor e Myriam :)

eden said...

Such a beautiful temple. Great shots.

VaishVijay said...

Sthala purana is interesting:)

Visiting via Skywatch and now following too!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful shadows!

My Sahdows, hope you can come and see. Have a good week ahead!

LV said...

Your post are always so interesting. Makes me think I am back in a history class.

Pie said...

Wonderful shots. Happy Easter!

My Blue Monday.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Wonderful picture...the temple is beautiful!

Mona said...

Another good place to see .. Happy Monday.

J.Rylie.C said...

Very Pretty!

Would you mind peeking at my entry?, I would be delighted if you do. Thanks!

Tammie Lee said...

stopping by again, did you get a photo of the old mango tree, I would love to see that.

2sweetnsaxy said...

How interesting! Thanks for sharing these. :-)

B i r g i t t a said...

It is beautifully situated beside the water :)

Fjällripan said...

Beautiful! :)

Stef said...

Interesting beauty! Here's my Watery Wednesday, hope you can check it out. Thanks!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

100 pillars, wow!!!!

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this temple.

Jeevan said...

I had been to this temple and remember visiting this years old mango tree.

Arti said...

I love visiting ancient temples and this one looks so beautiful! The mango tree sounds very interesting too.

Anonymous said...

That is something. One tree and 4 variety of mangoes :D Some kinda mystery there....


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Unknown said...

Thank for sharing. Looks like the Vijayanagara Kingdom and Krishnadevaraya in particular did a lot of the temples of south India,

Deepa Gopal said...

Wonderful structures...they would have many tales to tell:)

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this temple.