This past Saturday, a friend and I took a day trip down to the town of Kanchipuram, located 75 km southwest of Chennai. The first place we visited was the Ekambareshvara Temple. This active temple was originally constructed around 600 AD by the Pallavas The original structure was torn down, rebuilt by later Pallava kings, and later received additions by the Chollas. It is one of the five major Shiva temples, with this one representing the element Earth. (The other four temples represent water, ether, fire, and wind).
At a height of 57 meters (187 feet), the gopuram is one of the tallest in South India, and is of much more recent construction. Unlike many of the gopuras of Tamil Nadu, its surface with its many carved figures is not embellished with brilliant colors.
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