Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the most revered Shiva temples and is one of the "Pancha Bhoota Stalam" (Five Shiva temples, each one representing one of the five components of life). It stands for the Earth element. Ekambareswarar is a name used to worship Shiva. The existing building of the temple, which is a reconstruction from approximately 600 AD by the Pallavas, is thousands of years old. However, every dynasty that controlled Kanchipuram is represented in the temple. The 172-foot Raja Gopuram is a magnificent example of Vijayanagara Empire architecture. The Cholas also contributed to the temple's architecture.