The temple is also famous for its location, which is Srirangam island, where the Ranganathaswamy temple is also situated.
The temple Thiruvanaikal is well-known as being one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu. The temple represents one of the five elements, which is water as built near an island; the four remaining Shiva temples represent the other four elements. The sanctum of Jambukeswara has an underground water stream, and hence it is always filled with water.
It is also known as one of the 275 PaadalPetra Sthalams where the four most revered saints sung divine hymns.
Legend
The legend says that once seeing the Shiva in meditation, Parvati also decided to do penance for the betterment of the world. Shiva then wanted Parvati to go to Earth from Kailash and do the penance there. Parvati did the same; she took the form of Akilandeswari and went to conduct the penance in the Jambu forest.
There she made a Lingam with the water of the river Cauvery under the Venn Naaval tree. Shiva getting pleased with Parvati’s penance, gave her Darshan and taught her about the Siva Gnana. While giving the lessons, Shiva was facing West and Akilandeswari in East.
The two Ganas, Malyavan and Pushpadanta,however, were quarrelsome who used to fight with each other every now and then.Once in a fight, Malyavan cursed Pushpadanta to become an elephant, and the other Gnana did the same, cursing Malyavan to become a spider. Both came to the Jambukeswaram and started worshipping Shiva there.
The elephant used to do the Abhishekamwith water, and the spider built the web, so no leaves fall on the Lingam. The elephant thought the webs as dust and flushed them off with water. On this, the spider got angry and entered the trunk of the elephant, leaving him to die.
This killed the elephant, but Shivaobserved how both of Gnana are the devotees of Shiva, and hence he lifted their curse. As elephant worshipped Shiva, this place got the name “Thiru Aanai Kaa,”which was later perceived as “Thiruvanaikoil.”
However, the spider that killed the elephant had to take birth to equal his sins. The spider was born as KingKochengot Chola, who built 70 temples, and this temple was one of them.However, he still remembered his enmity with the elephant, and hence he built the Sanctorum in a way that no elephant can enter the temple, and hence the entrance is only 4 feet high and 2.5 feet wide. Get
Architecture
If we compare Jambukeswarar to the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple, the former exceeds the latter area-wise. When we go inside the temple, we see five enclosures inside the temple. A huge wall covers the fifth section, and it is known as Vibudi Prakara. The wall stretches over a mile and is two feet thick and over 25 feet high. As per the tale, the wall was built by Shiva with the laborers; hence it holds utmost significance.
If talking about the area, then the fourth section resides 796 pillars having a space of 2436 feet by 1493. The third section is about 745 feet by 197 with two gopurams 73 and 100 feet tall where a coconut thoppu and a small water tank are also present. The second enclosure is 306 feet by 197, which homes a gopuram 65 feet high with various shrines as well. Finally, the innermost section measures 126 feet by 123.
One holy tree is there, which is WhiteJambuka spreading along the south-eastern wall; to protect the trunk, there is a wall structure surrounding it. The deity is visible from the western side of the sanctum, which carries on to a big closed hall where there are four pillars and also the idol of Nandi made of bronze.
The Mukha Mantapa or the ceremonial hall has a large door that is ornated and plated with silver that looks amazing.There are two other entrances as well on the Southern and North Eastern sides.There is a stone window to catch a glimpse of the deity facing West.
There is a window in there that is believed to present the apertures for the Navagraha. There is a sculpture depicting the Lingam of Lord and an elephant and Linga worshipping it, which justifies the legend. There is a statue of Parvati as well, who is standing at the left of the Lingam.
The Lingam comprises eight of 3 feet,having a brass ring where the Lingam joins the pedestal. The Garbha Griha and the Ardha Mantapa have no adornment; the lit lamps are the only source ofillumination there. The water that streams and submerges the deity tends to grow a lot in monsoon.
At a time, six devotees are allowed to go into the Ardha Mantapa for doing Abhishekam, they can also be charged with as mall payment.
Culture
In the third section of the temple, there is a coconut grove with a small tank. As per the culture, the festival image of Vaishnavite Srirangam is brought here once a year. As Parvati in the form of Akilandeswari worshipped Lord Shiva in Jambukeswarar, the priest him self dresses like a female and worships Lord Shiva and the sacred cow.
Thousands of devotees come to witness this Puja, where a special black cow is brought to worship. One can witness the daily Abhishekam in the temple, and annually there are many festive happenings that devotees never miss to witness.
Those who come to visit SrirangamRanganathaswamy temple don’t leave without seeing the beauty of Jambukeswararand vice-versa. The temple also facilitates the hosting of the famous classical Indian dance performances known as Natyanjali.
The temple can be visited from 5.30 a.m.to 1.00 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Do visit for Pradosham and related Pujas.
Address: Sri Jambukeswarar Temple, Tiruvanaikaval-620 005, Trichy district
Phone: 91-431- 2230 257
