One of the more theologically striking Divya Desams — a Vishnu shrine situated within the walls of Kanchipuram's vast Ekambareswarar Temple, one of the city's most significant Shi…
One of the more theologically striking Divya Desams — a Vishnu shrine situated within the walls of Kanchipuram's vast Ekambareswarar Temple, one of the city's most significant Shiva temples.
This shrine's history is closely bound to the much larger Ekambareswarar Temple complex, one of Kanchipuram's five great elemental (Pancha Bhoota) Shiva temples, developed extensively under Pallava and later Chola and Vijayanagara patronage.
A modest shrine set within the walls of the far larger Ekambareswarar Temple, its Dravidian style consistent with the smaller subsidiary shrines found within major South Indian temple complexes.
The presiding deity here, associated with the moon (Chandra) through the name Chandrasooda, is honoured within a temple otherwise dedicated principally to Shiva — a coexistence reflecting the broader historical pattern of Shaiva-Vaishnava harmony found at several Divya Desams, most vividly expressed here within the walls of one of Kanchipuram's largest Shiva temples.
Darshan | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Temple Opening | 6:00 AM | 12:30 PM | Open | Morning darshan and rituals are conducted. |
Midday Break | 12:30 PM | 4:00 PM | Closed | Temple remains closed during afternoon hours. |
Evening Darshan | 4:00 PM | 8:30 PM | Open | Evening worship and darshan are available. |
Temple Closing | — | 8:30 PM | Closed | Final rituals conclude the day. |
Pooja | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Ushathkalam Pooja | 7:00 AM | Free | Morning opening worship with traditional rituals. |
Kalasanthi Pooja | 8:00 AM | Free | Morning offering with prayers and deeparadhana. |
Uchikala Pooja | 12:00 PM | Free | Midday worship with naivedyam offerings. |
Sayarakshai Pooja | 6:00 PM | Free | Evening lamp ceremony with devotional prayers. |
Irandamkalam Pooja | 7:00 PM | Free | Evening rituals with offerings. |
Ardha Jamam Pooja | 10:00 PM | Free | Final worship before closing. |
Darshan | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
General Darshan | Free | 10–20 minutes | Walk-in |
Special Darshan | ₹20 onwards | 5–10 minutes | Temple Counter |
Archana | ₹50 onwards | Immediate | Temple Counter |
Special Sevas | Varies | Advance Booking | Temple Office |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Thirumanjanam | Morning | ₹500 onwards | Sacred bathing ritual performed with traditional offerings. |
Vishnu Sahasranama Archana | Daily | ₹100 onwards | Recitation of Lord Vishnu’s thousand names with devotional prayers. |
Tulasi Archana | Daily | ₹100 onwards | Offering of sacred Tulasi leaves to the deity. |
Special Alankaram | Festival Days | Varies | Decorative worship with flowers and traditional ornaments. |
Sankalp Pooja | On Request | Varies | Personalized prayers performed for devotees and families. |
Pournami Special Pooja | Full Moon Days | Varies | Special worship conducted on every full moon day. |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Vaikunta Ekadasi | December–January | Major Vishnu festival celebrated with special darshan, devotional chanting, and traditional rituals. |
Purattasi Saturdays | September–October | Special Vishnu worship with elaborate decorations and increased devotee participation. |
Pournami Special Worship | Every Full Moon Day | Special prayers and offerings are performed on full moon days. |
Brahmotsavam | Various Dates | Annual celebrations with special alankarams and temple rituals. |
Krishna Janmashtami | August–September | Devotional programs, special decorations, and offerings celebrating Lord Krishna. |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Chakkara Pongal | ₹40–₹80 | Sweet rice preparation offered during worship. |
Puliyodarai | ₹30–₹60 | Traditional tamarind rice prasadam. |
Ven Pongal | ₹30–₹60 | Savory rice offering prepared traditionally. |
Laddu | ₹40–₹80 | Sweet prasadam available during special occasions. |
Tulasi Theertham | Free | Sacred water distributed after darshan. |
Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport (~75 km). Kanchipuram railway station is well connected to Chennai.
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📍 Nilathingal Thundam Shrine, Ekambareswarar Temple complex, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502
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The wider Ekambareswarar Temple and Kanchipuram's other Divya Desams are all within the same city.
