Jambukeswarar Temple Thiruvanaikaval is in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, one of the Pancha Bhoota stalls (five Shiva temples). The main presiding deity is the Appu lingam – the element of water. The Jambukeswarar temple timings are from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Jambukeswarar Temple
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It is one of the 275-foot-high places where all the Nayanars (Shaiva saints) sang the glories of the deity. Arunachal Pradesh Temple is another famous temple located in Thiruvannamalai.
The significance of the Jambukeswarar Temple is that the main deity is Jambukeswarar, which symbolizes the element of water. Also, Jambukeswarar was depicted sitting under a jumbo tree.
It grows on a small stream surrounding the deity during the rainy season. There is always lots of water in the sanctum sanctorum of Jambukeswarar.
History
The history of the Jambukeswarar Temple is that it was built about 1,800 years ago by one of the ancient Cholas, Kochengannan (Kochenga Chola).
It is located on the island of Srirangam, where the famous Ranganathaswamy Temple is. Hundreds of devotees come here every year to visit the Appu Lingam and seek his blessings.
What is the legend of the Jambukeswarar Temple?
Devotees believe Goddess Parvati once mocked Lord Shiva for his penance for the world’s welfare. So, Lord Shiva asked her to go to Earth from Kailasam (Lord Shiva’s abode) to do penance.
At the request of Lord Shiva, Parvati, in the form of Akilandeswari, sought out the Jumbo Forest (Thiruvanaikoil) to perform penance.
Hence, she made a lingam with the water of the Cauvery River under the naval butter tree (the naval butter tree above St. Jumbo) and started worshipping.
Hence, this lingam is called Appu Lingam (water lingam). Finally, Lord Shiva appeared to Akilandeswari and taught her about Shiva.
Furthermore, Akilandeswari took the Upadesham (lessons) from Shiva facing west and east.
Also, Malyavan and Puspadanta are two Shiva Ganas or disciples. They were always in conflict over something, and once, Malyavan cursed the florist for turning into an elephant on Earth.
The second one was cursed to become a spider. The elephant and the spider came to Jambukeswaram and continued their worship.
The elephant collects water from the Cauvery River and performs daily ablutions under the jumbo tree. Both were moved by profound devotion, and Lord Shiva freed them from the curse in the form of Jambukeswarar.
As the elephant worships Appu Lingam here, the place is known as Thiru Anai Ka (Thiru means sacred, Anai means elephant, Ka (kaadu) means forest). Later, ‘Thiruvanaika’ was changed to ‘Thiruvanaikaval‘ and ‘Thiruvanaikoil’.
To the sin of killing an elephant, the spider Kochengot Chola was born as the king of red eyes and built 70 temples, and this temple is one of them.
Significance
The significance of the Jambukeswarar Temple Thiruvanaikaval is that the main deity is Jambukeswarar, which symbolizes the element of water. Also, Jambukeswarar was depicted sitting under a jumbo tree.
It grows on a small stream surrounding the deity during the rainy season. There is always lots of water in the sanctum sanctorum of Jambukeswarar.
The enormous outer wall covering the fifth courtyard is the Vibudhi wall. It stretches over miles and is two feet thick and 25 feet high. According to the mythology, Appu Lingam built the wall with labourers. The fourth courtyard has a hall with 796 pillars.
The temple is also the abode of Akilandeshwari Devi, one of the forms of Goddess Parvati. In addition, Akilandeswari Devi Sannati and Prasanna Vinayakuni Sannati were shaped by the Pranava Mantra “Om”.
Also, the idols of the temples face each other. Such temples are places of worship. Since Devi is a student and Jambukeswarar is a guru (teacher), unlike other Shiva temples, Thiru Kalyanam (marriage) to Appu Lingam and Parvati does not take place in this temple.
Jambukeswarar Temple Timings
The Jambukeswarar temple timings, poojas and rituals are:
| Jambukeswarar Temple Timings | FROM | TO |
| Morning Darshan | 6 AM | 12 PM |
| Evening Darshan | 5 PM | 9 PM |
| Ushakkala Pooja | 6:30 AM | 7:30 AM |
| Kaalashandhi Pooja | 8 AM | 8:45 AM |
| Uchikkala Pooja | 11 AM | 12 PM |
| Saayaraksha Pooja | 5 PM | 5:45 AM |
| Ardhajama Pooja | 9 PM | NA |
Festivals
Some of the festivals celebrated at Jambukeswarar temple Thiruvanaikaval are:
Panguni Brahmotsavam in March-April and Adi Pooram in July-August are the popular festivals celebrated at this temple.
Also, Puratasi Navratri celebrations are held extensively for ten days: Thai theppam(float) and Thai poosam festival.
Special pujas are held on Fridays during the month of Thai. Another name for vikasi is spring urchavam. It is another important ten-day festival.
The best time to visit
Jambukeswarar Temple: November to March is the best time to visit the temple during the winter as the weather is pleasant and conducive to outdoor activities.
Temperatures range from 19 degrees Celsius to 22 degrees Celsius. The weather at this time is relaxed and comfortable.
How to reach
Air: The nearest airport is Trichy, about 15 km away.
Train: Trichy Junction is 8 km away.
Road: Temple is about 320 km from Thiruvanaikaval on the Chennai & Kanyakumari National Highway. The temple is 8 km from the Central Bus Stand and 3 km from the Chatiram Bus Stand in Trichy.
Temples near the Jambukeswarar Temple Thiruvanaikaval
Some of the temples near the Jambukeswarar Temple:
Arulmigu Saptarisheshwara Temple
The Arulmigu Saptarisheshwara Temple holds a special place among the temples in Tamil Nadu. The seven sages, Atri, Brihu, Pulsitar, Vasistar, Gautama, Angirasar and Marichi, prayed to the presiding deity Saptareeswara here to ward off the bad times they were going through. Also, later kings expanded the temple.
Arulmigu Vekkalaimman Temple
It is dedicated to Vekkali Amman Swami. In her four hands, she holds a thrishulam, a Udukkai, a rope-pasam and an Akshaya vessel (a constantly flowing vessel of food to feed all living beings).
Erumbishwara Temple
This temple was dedicated to Lord Ishwara and built on a 60 feet high hill in Thiruverumbur. This temple opens at 05:30 AM and closes at 8:00 PM.
Ugrakaliamman Temple
This temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti and is located in Tennur, one of the business centres of Trichy. It is open all day from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Panchavarnaswamy Temple
This temple is a Shiva temple located in Voraiyur. The greatness of this temple is that it has inscriptions dating back to the Chola period.
It is open for morning screenings from 5:00 AM-12:30 PM and evening screenings from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM.
Where to stay near Jambukeswarar Temple
Some places to stay near Jambukeswarar Temple: Sri Maruti Pilgrims House offers accommodation in Tiruchirappalli. The temple is located at a distance of 2.1 km. It has a welcoming atmosphere.
Mayas Came Pride is a popular hotel at 75-I, Salai Road, Thillai Nagar. Also, Hotel Mayas 46, located at Karur By-Pass Road, Chatram Bus Stand, has reasonable accommodation.
Address
N Car St, Srirangam,
Thiruvanaikoil, Tiruchirappalli,
Tamil Nadu 620005.
Phone no: 0431 223 0257