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Tiruvanaikkaval Temple, commonly known in ancient times as Jambukeswaram Temple, is situated at Tiruvanaikkava (Tiruvanaikka), near Tiruchirappali. The presiding deity here is Sri Jambukeswarar and his consort Akhilandeswari (Parvati). The temple is known as pancha bhoota stalam, meaning it is associated with the five elements, and also paadal petra stalam, meaning it is one of the 275 temples revered by Saivites. Shiva Jambukeswara is understood to be an embodiment of the element of water, and is often referred to as Appustalam. The Pancha Bhoota Stalams comprise a group of five temples associated with each of the elements: Jambukeswarar Temple at Tiruvanaikka – Apustalam (Water) Shiva is worshipped in each of these temples as a manifestation of the corresponding elements, which in Sanskrit are referred to as Vayu, Jalam (Apah), Agni, Prithvi and Aakasam. Each of these elements manifests in a particular way at the Pancha Bhoota Stalams: At Sri Kalahastiswarar, a flickering lamp shows the play of wind; at Annamalaiyaar, a giant lamp is lit as a manifestation of fire; at Kanchipuram, the lingam is associated with earth; at Chidambaram, a formless space depicts the association of ether; and at Jambukeswarar, the lingam is immersed in a flow of water. Sri Jambukeswarar Temple was built in the 1st Century B.C. by the Chola King Ko Chenkannan, who built more than seventy temples in the region of Tamil Nadu during the Sangam period (very early Christian era). The temple was patronized by the Chola Pandya, Hoysala, and Madurai Naik kings, and has undergone significant renovations over the last two thousand years. In the 7th to 9th centuries, Sri Jambukeswarar was sung by the Saivite saints. There was once a forest of Jambu trees near the Chandrateertha tank, which is filled with water of the River Kaveri. Here, Shiva is said to have appeared under one of the trees in his lingam form. Of the many sastric and historical episodes associated with this temple, the most well known is the pastime of the Elephant and the Spider. Two devotees of Shiva were said to have been born under the influence of a curse, which caused them to manifest as a white elephant and a spider. The elephant worshipped Lord Shiva here by bringing water and flowers in its trunk, while the spider built a web over the lingam, protecting it from leaves and falling debris. Each took offense with the other, as the elephant found the web to be offensive, and his water washed away the web each day. The two eventually fought to their death. The Spider is said to have later been born into a royal Chola family in Uraiyur. The temple got its name from the Elephant, Tiruv Aanaikka.
Jambukeswaram Temple Complex Temple Architecture and Deities Jambukeswara Temple is a vast complex, having 7 gopurams and 5 concentric circular concrete walls, or prakarams. The second, third and fourth prakarams were constructed in the 13th Century. The walls are 35 ft. high and 6 ft. thick. The Eastern tower has seven levels, and is highly ornamented with fine sculptures of musical scenes. The Western tower has nine levels. There are intricate carvings on the facade as well as the interior of the towers. Devotees can stand at a particular spot between two stone pillars, and get an amazing view of all five gopurams, laid out in a row.
Gopuram detail Installed under the ancient Jambu tree is the presiding deity, a Shivalingam that is partially submerged in water. The west-facing linga is also known as Bhava-jala linga, and the temple is sometimes called Jala Linga Temple. From the outside of the garbha gruha, devotees can see the water bubbles coming out from panipetham. Devi Parvati is worshipped here as a yogini, performing austerities. Her shrine is situated in the fourth prakaram, facing east. There are many subsidiary shrines within the temple compound, including the beautiful shrine for the Trimurti. This deity is known as Ekapada Trimurti, meaning the Trimurti on one leg. Lord Shiva stands in the center, with Lord Brahma to one side, and Lord Visnu on the other side. Brahmadeva, who is four-faced, and Visnu are connected to Shiva by an adjoining leg, angled out as if they are flying.
Jambukeswaram Trimurti Lord Brahma carries the conch and an unidentified item of paraphernalia in two hands, with the other two hands in pranam. Visnu hold the conch and chakra. The vahanas of all three deities form of the base of the murti, with Shiva standing on Nandi's back, Hamsa beneath Brahma, and Garuda, along with what appears to be Narada Muni at Visnu's feet. This ekapadamurti is a relatively rare form of Their Lordships. Other subsidiary shrines include Lakshmi, Natarajar, Ganapathy, Murugan (Subramaniar), Dakshinamoorthy, Raja Rajeswarar linga, Navagraha and Sagasra (1008) Linga, along with Adi Shankar, and the 63 Nayannmars.
Laksmi-Narayana Many festivals are held at Jambukeswara Temple, including Pancha Praharam (Brahmotsavam), Aadi Pooram for Devi's procession, Thai Poosam when both presiding deity and consort go on procession, Navarathri, and Panguni Ther, the car festival.
Naga shrine Part 2 - Pushkar, Rajasthan Part 3 - Chinch & Asotra, Rajasthan Part 4 - Eklingji, Udaipur, Rajasthan) Part 5 - Vasantgarh, Rajasthan) Part 6 (Rajasthan: Bijoila, Mewar; Chandravati, Sirohi; Kiradu & Sevadi, Jodphur) Part 7 (Khokhan, Himachal Pradesh) Part 8 (Tihri-Uttarsal, Himachal Pradesh) Part 9 (Una, Himachal Pradesh) Part 10 (Dudhahi, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh) Part 11 (Gaya, Bihar) Part 12 (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh) Part 13 (Alampur, Andhra Pradesh) Part 14 (Kaleshwar, Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh) Part 15 (Sampradaya Acarya - Lingampally, Andhra Pradesh) Part 16 (Manthani, Andhra Pradesh) Part 17 (Gurramguda Village, Andhra Pradesh) Part 18 (Tirusulam, Tamil Nadu) Part 19 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 20 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 21 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 22 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 23 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 24 (Syncretistic Forms of Lord Brahma) Part 25 (Thirupachur, Tamil Nadu) Part 26 (Pancheshti/Pancheti, Tamil Nadu) Part 27 (Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu) Part 28 (Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu) Part 29 (Mandagappattu, Tamil Nadu) Part 30 (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 31 (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 32 (Thirumukkoodal, Tamil Nadu) Part 33 (Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu) Part 34 (Thirunaraiyur, Tamil Nadu) Part 35 (Thirunaraiyur, Tamil Nadu) Part 36 Thiruvengadu, Tamil Nadu) Part 37 Thiruvelliyankudi, Tamil Nadu) Part 38 Kuthanoor, Tamil Nadu) Part 39 Lalgudi, Tamil Nadu) Part 40 Kulithalai, Tamil Nadu) Part 41 Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu) Part 42 Thirupattur, Tamil Nadu) Part 43 Pullamangai, Tamil Nadu) Part 44 Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) Part 45 Sri Rangam, Tamil Nadu)
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