Repost from @himanshumaru1987 Lets have a look at the element Earth temple. There are 5 elements earth, water, fire, air and spirit. For each element there is a temple in South India. These temples are dedicted to lord Shiva, just like most of the ancient temples in South India. The Ekambaranathar temple is situated in Kanchipuram, constructed atleast before 600 AD dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the biggest hindu temple in India with a size of 25 acres. Huge entrance gates are impressive and you can see in pictures how big these gates are. One of the tallest vimana (entrance gate) in South India. The main sanctum temple is always small and entrance gates are always big. You walk through these gates and wash away your sins before you reach to main lingum. You need to be pure before you reach to the holy place. Story behind this temple is interesting. Parvati was cursed to become black (kali) , to get rid of the curse she prayed lord Shiva under a mango tree. To test her devotion Shiva sent fire and many obstacles. To rescue Parvati lord Vishnu took the moon from the head of Shiva and then cooled down the mango tree and Parvati with rays of the moon light. That mango tree is still there. It was a very beautiful evening. Sky was blue and then turned into pink later in evening. It was a pure experience of a ancient temple and the town. Time was slow, moments were slow. Birds were chirping. I wonder how beautiful is our country. #ancienttemple #ekambaranathar #ancientindia #boutindia #tamilnadu #chollas #vimana #rockcuttemples https://www.instagram.com/p/BtTNwXxHMwt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ix4ufuuvtudf