Lord Shiva is worshiped in the Ekamreeshwar temple located in Kanchipuram Nagar in Tamil Nadu state as a special linga, called Baluka-Linga. In this temple, this sand-linga symbolizes unique energy. Lord Shiva is worshiped here by the name of Ekambareshwar or Ekambarnath which means ‘God of mango tree’. This temple is important for the Shaiva sect of Hinduism because it is one of the five ghost sites and is particularly related to the Earth element. The temple premises have four gopuram (entrance), the highest of which is the highest, the height is 58.5216 meters (192 ft), which is one of the tallest temples in India. The specialty of this temple is that it was built by the rulers of the Chola dynasty in the 9th century while the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire expanded it.
There is a huge mango tree in the premises of this temple, which is said to have been present for more than 3500 years. It has also been observed that every branch of this tree looks different colors and their taste is also different. An old story is attached to this tree, according to which once Mata Parvati wanted to free herself from sin by doing penance under the ancient mango tree of the temple near the river. She sat behind the tree and started doing penance. It is said that Lord Shiva had put her in fire to test the loyalty of Goddess Parvati. Mata Parvati prayed to her brother Lord Vishnu for help, then Lord Vishnu had pacified the mango tree and the jealousy of Parvati with the rays of the moon situated on the head of Lord Shiva. Shivji sent the Ganges river again to dissolve the penance of Parvati, but Parvati requested the Ganges that they are both sisters, so they did not harm their penance. After this, Ganga did not disturb his penance. Parvati made a Shivling with sand to be united with Shiva.
Marriage of Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva
According to another legend, it is believed that during penance, Mata Parvati used to worship Lord Shiva as Prithvi Lingam under the mango tree. Once Lord Shiva brought a storm in the nearby Vegwati river to take the exam, which feared the Shivling to go out, but Mother Parvati or Goddess Kamakshi saved it by putting Shivling with his neck. For this reason, he is called Tazuva Kuzainathar (who melted in his hug) in Tamil. Lord Shiva was so impressed with Mata Parvati that he appeared to Mata Parvati. Shiva ji asked Mata Parvati to ask for a boon, so Mother Parvati expressed his desire for marriage. Then Mahadev married Mata Parvati. On the basis of this story, on the basis of the union of Lord Shiva and Parvati ji, the idols are taken under the ‘Holy Amraksha’ from Ekambarnath Temple and Kamakshi Temple with Sand Shivling at the annual Brahmotsav. And Shivaviva Kalyanotsav is celebrated.
