Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval

Sri Jambukeswarar is the name of Lord Shiva and worshipped at Thiruvanaikoil. It is one of the Panchabhoota Stalams (signifying the 5 natural elements) and represents water ('Neer'). The other four temples are Kalahasti, for wind, Triuvannamalai for fire, Chidambaram for space, and Kanchipuram for earth.

It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where all the four most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints) have sung glories of the deity in this temple.

Sri Jambukeswara is an embodiment of the element water and is referred to as Appustalam. Even today one can see water oozing out near the Shivalinga idol in the temple. The Shivalinga ('Swami') here is called as 'Appu Linga'.

Legends :

According to the mythological scriptures, Devi Parvathi in Her Incarnation as Devi Akilandeswari performed penance in the Jambu forest (Thiruvanaikoil). She made a Lingam out of water from the river Cauvery, and installed it under the Venn Naaval tree (the Venn Naaval tree on top of Saint Jambu) and commenced her worship. Hence the Lingam is known as Appu Lingam (Water Lingam). Lord Siva at last gave darshan to Devi Akhilandeswari and taught Her Siva Gnana. Devi Akhilandeswari took Upadesa (lessons) facing East from Lord Shiva, who stood facing west.thiruvanaikoil temple thiruvanaikoil temple thiruvanaikoil temple.

According to mythological interpretations, Devi Akhilandeswari took Upadesa (lessons) facing East from Lord Shiva, who stood facing West. Hence this Temple is also revered as a Upadesa Sthalam. Since Devi Akhilandeswari worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple, even today at noon the 'Archakar' (priest) dresses like a female and performs Puja to Lord Jambukeswara and the holy Cow. A specifice breed of black cow, called Karam Pasu is brought to the Temple for puja. As the Devi was like a student and Lord Jambukeswara like a Guru (teacher) in this temple, there is no Thiru Kalyanam (marriage) conducted in this temple for Lord Shiva and Devi Parvathi, unlike the other Shiva temples. The Shrine of the Devi Akilandeshwari and the Shrine of Lord Prasanna Vinayaka opposite the Devi Shrine are in the shape of the Pranava Mantra called "OM".

About the Temple :

The temple at Tiruvanaikaval is a big one covering an area of about 18 acres with high walls and gopurams on all the 4 sides. The temple has 5 prakarams. The main sanctum sancotrum (the 5th prakaram) can be reached by entering a series of Gopurams (Towers). The shrine for female deity Akilandeswari is situated in the 4th prakaram. Thiruvanaikoil temple was built according to 'Saiva Aagama Sasthra'. According to Saiva Agamam, the temple reflects the human body and the idol of Lord Shiva is considered as the soul. Many other kings like Pandiyas and Nayakars of Madurai later renovated this temple. The 2nd and 3rd praharams were built in 13th century A.D. and the 4th Praharam was constructed in the late 13th century A.D.

There are many mandapams in the temple, a 1000 Pillar, on the North West corner of the 3rd praharam and a 100 Pillar Mandapam on the North East corner of the 3rd Praharam, Vasanta mandapam (The mandapam is surrounded by pool of water where Lord Shiva and Goddess Akilandeswari are worshipped on summer evenings), Somaskandha mandapam, Nataraja mandapam, Trimurthi mandapam, etc. The thousand-pillared mandapam looks like a chariot.

There are many interesting legends in this temple. When the king "Thirruneetru Sundara Pandiyan" was constructing the 5th Praharam wall on the East Side, he was running out of money to pay to the labourers for the next day of work. On that night in the Kings dream Lord Shiva asked him to continue the work. As per the Lords wish the King continued the construction and at the end of that day a Sanyasi (saint) came there and he gave the labourers pinches of sacred ash. That sacred ash turned into gold equivalent to the work done by them. Then only the King and others came to know that the Sanyasi is none other than the Lord himself. Because of this instance the East Side praharam is known as "Vibhoothi" (sacred ash) praharam.

Pooja Timings :

Ushakkala Pooja - 6.30 am - 7.30 am

Kaalasandhi Pooja  - 8.00 am - 8.45 am

Uchikkala Pooja - 11.00 am - 12.00 pm

Saayaraksha Pooja - 5.00 pm - 5.45 pm

Ardhajama Pooja - 9.00 pm

Theerthams 

There are nine Theerthams (Holy Water Points) near this temple.

·  Sreemath Theertham:This is nothing but the water spring oozing inside the Sanctorum of Lord Shiva.

·  Rama Theertham:This is outside the temple. Just directly opposite to the temple across the G.S.T Road. You can see this on the way to the Srirangam. This is where the “Thai Poosam theppam” festival is celebrated. This Theertham is full of beautiful Lotus flower plants.

·  Chandra Theertham

·  Agni Theertham:This is the well in the South East corner of 3rd Praharam. Just opposite on the side of Vasantha Mandapam and temple Nandhavanam.

·  Indira Theertham :This is in the 3rd Praharam opposite to Kasi Viswanatha Swami sannathi.

·  Akasthiya Theertham

·  Jambu Theertham: This is in the South West 3rd Praharam near the old Jambukeshwara temple (Opposite to Sangareshwarar temple and opposite to Kubera Linga)

·  Surya Theertham:This is in the South West corner of the 4th praharam. Just opposite to the 1000 pillar mandapam. This Tank is architecturally beautifully built with two stories of Mandapams around the tank. Each mandapam built with 100 pillars. “Theppam” festival is celebrated in this tank in the Tamil month “Aadi” on “Pooram” day (the day when the star is Pooram, which is the star of Akilandeswari).

·  Brahmma Theertham:This is in the South side of 4th Praharam (South Car Street).

Festivals Celebrated at this temple :

• Vaikasi - Vasantha Urchavam (10 days)
• Aadi - Aadipuram festival (10 days),Aadi Friday is celebrated.
• Purattasi - Navarathiri festival (10 days)
• Thai - Thai Poosam, Thai theppam (Float) festival Special poojas are performed during Fridays of Thai month.
• Panguni - Brahmotchavam (40 days)
• Car festival and Panchaprakara festival are important festivals.

Benefits of worshipping at this temple:

Devotees worshipping here are blessed both in this birth and in next birth.One who worships Goddess Ahilandeswari will be blessed with good education and intelligence, marrige and wishes for child are fulfilled. By coming around the fifth divine wall known as "Thiruneetran thirumathil one with gets fulfilled.

Travel Info :

• By Air - Trichy has an airport (5 kms from the city). Indian Airlines connects Trichy with Chennai, Sharjah, Kuwait and Colombo. Air Lanka Service connects Tiruchirapalli with Colombo.
• By Rail -Trichy is an important junction on the Southern Railway. It connects almost all important Indian places like Chennai, Tirupathi, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Delhi,Varanasi,  Kolkotta, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Mysore, Kochi, and Mangalore.
• By Road - Trichy is well connected by road with important places and Southern Cities including Trivandrum, Bangalore.