Sri Ekambareswarar Temple (Scorpio) Vrischika Rasi Temple, Perambalur

Address

Sri Ekambareswarar Temple (Scorpio) Vrischika Rasi Temple, Sannadhi Street, Chettikulam, Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu-621104. Phone: +91 – 4328 268 008 Mobile: +91 – 94878 88072 / 99441 17450 /

Diety

Ekambareswarar Amman: Kamakshi

Introduction

Ekambareswarar Temple is dedicated to God Shiva located in the village of Chettikulam in Perambalur District of Tamilnadu. This is an ancient temple built by Parantaka Chola who reigned from 907 AD to 955 AD. The presiding deities are Sri Ekambareswarar and Sri Kamakshi Ambal. The temple is famous for its Kubera sculpture showing the Lord of Wealth on his Fish vehicle. This is installed in 12 spots in the temple representing the 12 zodiac signs. People throng the temple to worship Kubera for wealth. The temple is considered as (Scorpio) Vrischika Rasi Parikara Sthalams.

Puranic Significance

In days of yore, the place was a forest of Kadamba trees. A trader on his way had to stay here at a night. About midnight, he saw a fire ball splitting light, in the midst of which a Shivalinga was being worshipped by Devas and Rishis. The trader informed the Chola king of what he saw. The Chola king rushed to the spot along with Kulasekhara Pandiyan who was his guest then. They saw an old man walking there with red sugarcane as his walking stick. He showed the king the place where the Shivalinga was hiding and disappeared in the form of a fire ball. When they looked at the eastern direction where the old man disappeared, they saw Lord Dhandayuthapani on a hill. In ecstasy, the kings built a temple for Lord Ekambareswar and a temple for Lord Dhandayuthapani, according to the history of the place. The temple is famous for its Kubera sculpture showing the Lord of Wealth on His Fish vehicle. This is installed in 12 spots in the temple representing the 12 zodiac signs. The rays of Sun fall on Lord Ekambareswara on 19, 20 and 21 of Panguni month–March-April. This is an ancient Shiva Temple. The main tower-Rajagopuram is 100 feet tall visible up to a distance of 10 kilo meters. There is also a sculptural marvel in the temple on the western Dwarapalaka pillar carved with such rare skill that it looks like a bull from one angle and an elephant from the other. The shrine of Mother Kamakshi is on the northern side-Kubera corner. In the inner corridor, there are 10 pillars producing different musical sounds if tapped with a dry sandal stick.

Beliefs

A huge number of devotees pray to Kubera, the Lord of Wealth seeking prosperity, besides seeking fruitful marriage talks and child boon. The temple is highly revered as an abode of solution for various problems faced by devotees in matters of health, litigations, recovery of lost things, trade etc. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother with milk, curd, lime fruit juice, sandal, oil, green coconut offering vastras and they also undertake some kind of fasting. Some do charities. The Nivedhana offered to Lord and Mother is distributed to the devotees.

Special Features

Sign No: 8 Type: Water Lord: Mars, Pluto English Name: Scorpio Sanskrit Name: Vrischikha Meaning of Sanskrit Name: The Scorpion Temperamentally they are emotional and possessive. They are cunning. Will have only few friends. These persons may get unexpected legacies and gifts.

Festivals

10 day Thaipoosam and Brahmmotsavam in January-February is the longest and important festival of the temple with special pujas and the presiding deity coming in car procession. Navarathri in September-October, Surasamharam and Deepavali in October-November. Tirukarthikai in November-December, Margazhi festival and Tirvadhirai in December-January, Sivarathri in February-March and Chitra Poornima in April-May are other festivals celebrated in the temple.