Jambukeshwarar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also one of the five Pancha Bootha sthalams(5 Elements Temple) and is located in Tiruchirapalli of Tamil Nadu,India.
Jambukeshwarar Temple is a representation of Jal (the water element). This temple is situated in Coromandel between two rivers, Cauvery in south, coleroon in North.
History of Jambukeshwarar Temple :-
Parvati mocked the penance of Shiva for world betterment. Shiva decided to condemn her behavior, and ordered her from Kailasam to travel to earth to try and do penance. Parvathi finds Jambu forest to conduct her penance in theform of Akilandeswari as per the wish of Shiva.
She made a lingam under the Venn Naaval tree from the water of the river Cauvery, and commenced her worship. The lingam is named Appu Lingam.
Siva finally gave Akilandeswari darshan and taught her Siva Gnana. Akilandeswari received lessons from Shiva facing North, who stood facing West.There were two ‘Malyavan’ and ‘Pushpadanta’ Siva Ganas. They still quarrel with one another even thoughthey are Siva Ganas and fight over one thing or another.
‘Pushpadanta’ was cursed in one battle to become an elephant on earth and therefore the other cursed the former to become a spider on earth. The elephant and the spider came to Jambukeswaram, and theybegan to worship Siva.
Also Read: ABOUT ARUNACHALAM TEMPLE
The elephant gathered water from the Cauvery river and performed regular ablution under the Jambu tree to the lingam. The spider built his web over the lingam to avoid the dropping of dry leaves over it and to avoid sunlight from falling directly thereon . Once the elephant saw the web and thought lingam was dust.
Via pouring water, the elephant ripped them and washed the lingam, and therefore the cycle continued everyday. at some point the spider got angry and crawled into the elephant’s trunk, biting the elephant to death and killing itself. Siva, moved by the two’s deep devotion in Jambukeswara form, relieved them from the curse. This place came to be referred to as Thiru Aanai Kaa as an elecphant worshipped Siva here. The name ‘Thiruaanaikaa’ are going to be ‘Thiruvanaikoil’ later.
As a results of committing a sin by killing the elephant, the spider was born as the King Kochengot Chola within the next birth and founded 70 temples and this temple is one among them.
Nalayira Divya Prabandham cites the account of the Chola building seventy temples along side this temple. Remembering in his previous birth his enmity with the elephant, he constructed the Siva Sannathi, in order that not even a small elephant could enter. the doorway to the Jambukeswara sanctorum is merely 4 feet high and 2.5 feet long.
Jambukeswarar Temple was built by Kocengannan (Kochenga Chola), one of the Early Cholas, around 1,800 years ago. It is in the Srirangam Island, which has the famous Ranganathaswamy temple. Hundreds of devotees gather here every year to watch the Lord and get his blessings.
Archietecture:-
Architecture of Jambukeswarar Temple in Tiruchirapally, Tamil Nadu bears a sharp resemblance to the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple which was one of its contemporary temples, though historians claim that its architectural grandeur beats that of the latter. This Temple contains five enclosures within its premises. The temple was constructed by the king Kochenga Chola, following the style of Dravidian architecture, and is amongst the Panchabhoota Sthalams.
‘Vibudi Prakara’ is the giant external wall which surrounds the fifth temple precinct and it continues to stretch above a mile, with a height of 25 feet and width of two feet. As per a Hindu legend, this wall was created by Lord Shiva, who toiled along with some labourers.
Measuring about 2436 feet by 1493 feet, the fourth precinct possesses a hall with 796 pillars. Perennial springs feed the tiny tank present here. The third temple precinct is fortified with a 30 feet high wall and measures about 745 feet by 197 feet. Two ‘gopurams’ are existent, one of which is 100 feet in height while the other is 73 feet in height. A small water tank and a coconut ‘thoppu’ is also there. The second temple enclosure has a gopuram which is 65 feet in height, measures nearly 306 feet by 197 feet and also consists of numerous tiny shrines. The sanctum sanctorum exists inside the innermost enclosure which measures about 126 feet by 123 feet.
Quick Facts
- District: Tiruchirapalli
- Address: N Car St, Srirangam, Thiruvanaikoil, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620005
- Architectural style: Dravidian architecture
- Affiliation: Hinduism
- Deity: Jambukeshwara (Shiva) and Akilandeswari (Parvati)
- Photography: Photography is allowed in this temple by purchasing a ticket.
- Entry Fee: Nil
- Timings: 6 AM to 1PM and 3 PM to 8 PM
- Best Time To Visit:
- Dress Code: Dress in traditional Indian attire or wear a scarf
- Festivals: Panguni Brahmmotsavam, Aadi Pooram , Navarathiri festival, Vasantha Urchavam
Also Read: Sri Ranganathaswamy temple
POOJA TIMINGS
The Pooja/ Darshan Timings are as follows:-
| TIMINGS | FROM | TO |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Darshan | 6AM | 12 PM |
| Evening Darshan | 5 PM | 9 PM |
| Ushakkala Pooja | 6:30 AM | 7:30AM |
| Kaalashandhi Pooja | 8 AM | 8:45 AM |
| Uchikkala Pooja | 11 AM | 12 PM |
| Saayaraksha Pooja | 5 PM | 5:45 AM |
| Ardhajama Pooja | 9 PM |
Astonishing Facts About Jambukeshwarar Temple :-
- The Siva Lingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum is reported to be submerged in the water that flows from a subterranean spring into the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Temples idols are opposite to each other. Such temples are Upadesa Sthalams. As the Devi was a student and Jambukeswara a Guru (teacher), hence Thiru Kalyanam (marriage) does not take place in this temple for Shiva and Parvathi, unlike the other Shiva temples.
- It is believed that the poet Kalamega Pulavar, who was blessed by Goddess Parvati, wrote poems here.
- The temple is ideally located between the two rivers, Coleroon in the north and Cauvery in the south.
- Thiruvanaikaval car festival is generally a part of brahmotsavam, when the festival commences with the hoisting of ‘ashtakodi’. Elaborate poojas happen during the time and the temple car procession takes place, with the devotees pulling the car carrying the god and goddess.
How To Reach?
By Air
The nearest airport is at Tiruchirapalli (15km) which is well connected to cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai, and Colombo. One can take an auto or taxi to the temple.
By Rail
The nearest station is Trichy (8 kms) which has 2 train stations Tiruchchirapali and Tiruchchirapali Fort. These two connects with towns of South India such as Chennai, Thanjavur, Madurai and Chidambaram. Auto’s and buses are readily availiable fo commute.
By Road
The temple is situated in the middle of Trichy and thiruvarangam about 320 km on chennai and Kanyakumari National highway. The temple is located 8 km from central bus stand and 3 km from Chathiram bus stand trichy. Government and private bus service is available to reach Thiruvaanaikkaval. The city is well connected by road to major South Indian cities .
Where To Stay?
HOTEL TAMILNADU – TRICHY
This is a Tamil Nadu State owned hotel and quite reliable for stay.
Address: McDonalds Road, Cantonement(Opp. Central Bus Stand), Trichy – 620 001
Average Cost:- 1100 – 3300 INR (Based on the room you opt)
Note: We don’t make any guarantees if the above-stated facts are not correct. If you think any information provided by us is wrong then contact us.