Thiruvanaikoil is a beautiful small urban village at Tiruchirappalli district ('Trichy', 'Thiruchirapalli', 'Tiruchinopoly', 'Tiruchi') in Tamil Nadu of Southern India. Thiruvanaikoil is also familiarly known as Tiruvanaikoil, Tiruvanaikaval, Thiruvanaikaval, Thiruvanaika, Thiruanaikaa.
Thiruvanaikoil is around 3 Kms away from the heart of Trichy city and adjacent to Srirangam another small historic town and one of the holy places in India. Thiruvanaikoil and Srirangam are in the banks of river Cauvery. Literally these two places form an island, surrounded by river Cauvery and river Coleroon.
This ancient temple dedicated to Shiva (Jambukeswara) and Parvati (Akhilandeswari) is one of the foremost Saivite shrines in Tamilnadu. This large temple celebrates Shiva as Jambukeswara, an embodiment of the element water and is often referred to as Appustalam and is hence one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams the other four being Tiruvannamalai (fire), Chidambaram (Space), Kanchipuram (Earth) and Kalahasti (Air) respectively.
The Sri Jambukeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and has five concentric walls and seven gopurams. It is built around a Siva lingam partly submerged in water that comes from a spring in the sanctum sanctorum. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple. The complex was built in the same time when Sri Ranganathaswamy temple was also built.
The presiding deity is Lord Siva as Kalahasteeswarar. The
Siva Linga here is one of the five supreme Lingas representing the five
elements (Panchabutha Lingams): water (appu), fire (tejas), air (vayu), ether
(akash) and earth (prithivi). The Linga form in Kalahasti is believed to represent
vayu. Even today the flame placed in Garbhagraha inside the temple flickers
indicating the presence of the wind while there is no entry of wind to disturb
the flame. The air is just sufficient to breathe in. This according to a belief
is the existence of Shiva in the temple.
According to the legend there was once a forest of jambu trees in the place of modern Tiruvanaikka. Nearby was a tank called Chandratheertha which was filled by water from the river Cauvery. Lord shiva appeared as a Lingam under one of the trees. The lingam came to be called the Jambulingam. Due to a curse, two of the shiva ganas Pushpadanta and Malyava, were born in the forest as a white elephant and as a spider. The elephant worshipped the Lingam with flowers and with water brought in its trunk. The spider too worshipped the Lingam, spinning out a web over the Lingam to prevent leaves of the tree from falling on it. The spider's web appeared to be unclean for the elephant and it destroyed the web.
This lead to big clash between the two and ultimately resulted in their death. Lord shiva granted Mokshaa (salvation) to both. The spider was born in a royal Chola family as the great king Ko Chenkannan who built about 70 temples (Maadakovils) including the temple of Jambukeswarar at Tiruvanaika. Because the king remembered about his earlier birth, he built the temples in a such way that no elephant can enter the sanctum sancotrum and come near the Sivalingam.
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.
According to the legend there was once a forest of jambu trees in the place of modern Tiruvanaikka. Nearby was a tank called Chandratheertha which was filled by water from the river Cauvery. Lord shiva appeared as a Lingam under one of the trees. The lingam came to be called the Jambulingam. Due to a curse, two of the shiva ganas Pushpadanta and Malyava, were born in the forest as a white elephant and as a spider. The elephant worshipped the Lingam with flowers and with water brought in its trunk. The spider too worshipped the Lingam, spinning out a web over the Lingam to prevent leaves of the tree from falling on it. The spider's web appeared to be unclean for the elephant and it destroyed the web.
This lead to big clash between the two and ultimately resulted in their death. Lord shiva granted Mokshaa (salvation) to both. The spider was born in a royal Chola family as the great king Ko Chenkannan who built about 70 temples (Maadakovils) including the temple of Jambukeswarar at Tiruvanaika. Because the king remembered about his earlier birth, he built the temples in a such way that no elephant can enter the sanctum sancotrum and come near the Sivalingam.
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.
Theerthams: There are nine Theerthams (Holy Water Points)
near this temple.
Sreemath Theertham
Rama Theertham
Chandra Theertham
Agni Theertham
Indira Theertham
Akasthiya Theertham
Jambu Theertham
Surya Theertham
Brahmma Theertham
Sreemath Theertham
Rama Theertham
Chandra Theertham
Agni Theertham
Indira Theertham
Akasthiya Theertham
Jambu Theertham
Surya Theertham
Brahmma Theertham
The Legend
It is said that a spider, elephant, Goddess Parvati and a saint received the grace of the Lord by offering worship to Him in Thiruvaanaikaval. .
As per the legend, it is said that Lord Shiva had manifested Himself in the form of a Shivalingam under a Jambu tree in a forest near a water body called Chandratheertha. Two devotees born as an elephant and a spider started offering worship to the Lord in their own ways. The elephant washed the Lingam with the water brought in its trunk and with flowers from the Jungle. Hence the name 'Thiruvaanika or 'Thiruvaanaikovil', 'Aanai' meaning elephant in Tamil. Later it evolved as 'Thiruvaanaikaval'. The spider weaved a cobweb around the Lingam to serve as a protection against the withering leaves and dust.
The worship of the spider and the elephant seemed to intrude in their personal modes of worship. The elephant's washed away the spider's web which resulted in hostility between each other. This instigated the spider to get into the trunk of the elephant to punish it which led to the death of both. The elephant was said to have attained eternal bliss while the spider was reborn as the King Kochenkannan in the Chola family of Uraiyur.
The Karmas or actions of the past births abounds to be Samskaras that are said have an impact on the present life as well. This served to be true in the case of Kochenkannan as well. After leading a kingly life, he resorted to constructing temples of Lord Shiva. It is said that the Thiruaanaikaval or Tiruaanaika was also constructed by Him. All the temples erected by the King are said to have constructed in a such a fashion denying access to elephants owing to the impact of the previous birth.
It is said that a spider, elephant, Goddess Parvati and a saint received the grace of the Lord by offering worship to Him in Thiruvaanaikaval. .
As per the legend, it is said that Lord Shiva had manifested Himself in the form of a Shivalingam under a Jambu tree in a forest near a water body called Chandratheertha. Two devotees born as an elephant and a spider started offering worship to the Lord in their own ways. The elephant washed the Lingam with the water brought in its trunk and with flowers from the Jungle. Hence the name 'Thiruvaanika or 'Thiruvaanaikovil', 'Aanai' meaning elephant in Tamil. Later it evolved as 'Thiruvaanaikaval'. The spider weaved a cobweb around the Lingam to serve as a protection against the withering leaves and dust.
The worship of the spider and the elephant seemed to intrude in their personal modes of worship. The elephant's washed away the spider's web which resulted in hostility between each other. This instigated the spider to get into the trunk of the elephant to punish it which led to the death of both. The elephant was said to have attained eternal bliss while the spider was reborn as the King Kochenkannan in the Chola family of Uraiyur.
The Karmas or actions of the past births abounds to be Samskaras that are said have an impact on the present life as well. This served to be true in the case of Kochenkannan as well. After leading a kingly life, he resorted to constructing temples of Lord Shiva. It is said that the Thiruaanaikaval or Tiruaanaika was also constructed by Him. All the temples erected by the King are said to have constructed in a such a fashion denying access to elephants owing to the impact of the previous birth.
The Lingam here is called 'Appu
Lingam' owing to a natural spring present in the sanctum, there by revealing
the aspect of water signifying the place as a Panchabootha Sthalam representing
'Water'. Appu in classical Tamil meaning 'Water'. The Lingam gets submerged in
water during rainy season.
Goddess Parvati here is worshipped as Akhilaandeshwari. It is said that she had also offered worship to Lord Shiva here. It is said that Akilaandeshwari was a 'Ugara Deivam' or is said to have exposed the fierce side of Her. Adi Sankara is said to have converted the fierce aspect of Her through presenting two earrings called the 'Thandakams' with the Shri Chakra inscribed in them.
The sacred tree or the Sthala Viruksham is said to have grown out of a saint who was offering worship to Lord Shiva.
The Temple
Thiruvaanaikaval is located in the Trichy district of Tamilnadu, around 6 Km from Trichy or Tiruchirapalli. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Jambugeshwarar owing to His emergence under the Jambu tree. The Lord is also worshipped as 'Appu Lingam' and the temple is also addressed as the 'Appu Sthalam' (Water temple). The Goddess Akhilaandeshwari has a separate shrine. To this day it is a belief that She still offers worship to the Lord.
The sacred waters of the temple belong to the 'Brahma Theertham' apart from the other temple tanks like Jambu theertham, Rama Theertham, Sri Math Theertham, Agni Theertham, Agasthiya Theertham, Soma Theertham, Soorya Theertham etc. Some claim the 'Kaveri' to also be the sacred waters owing to the temple. The temple tree or the 'Sthala Virusham' is said to be a 'Jambu tree' . The Chola, Pandya , Hoysala Madurai Naik kings have said to have contributed to this temple.
Festivals
Pankuni Bhrammotsavam, Vasanta Utsavam, Aadi Pooram and the Pancha Prakara festival are some of the major festivals celebrated here.
Hence lets also partake of the Lord's grace to liberate us from the network of Karma and Samskaras to ultimately abide in Him.
Goddess Parvati here is worshipped as Akhilaandeshwari. It is said that she had also offered worship to Lord Shiva here. It is said that Akilaandeshwari was a 'Ugara Deivam' or is said to have exposed the fierce side of Her. Adi Sankara is said to have converted the fierce aspect of Her through presenting two earrings called the 'Thandakams' with the Shri Chakra inscribed in them.
The sacred tree or the Sthala Viruksham is said to have grown out of a saint who was offering worship to Lord Shiva.
The Temple
Thiruvaanaikaval is located in the Trichy district of Tamilnadu, around 6 Km from Trichy or Tiruchirapalli. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Jambugeshwarar owing to His emergence under the Jambu tree. The Lord is also worshipped as 'Appu Lingam' and the temple is also addressed as the 'Appu Sthalam' (Water temple). The Goddess Akhilaandeshwari has a separate shrine. To this day it is a belief that She still offers worship to the Lord.
The sacred waters of the temple belong to the 'Brahma Theertham' apart from the other temple tanks like Jambu theertham, Rama Theertham, Sri Math Theertham, Agni Theertham, Agasthiya Theertham, Soma Theertham, Soorya Theertham etc. Some claim the 'Kaveri' to also be the sacred waters owing to the temple. The temple tree or the 'Sthala Virusham' is said to be a 'Jambu tree' . The Chola, Pandya , Hoysala Madurai Naik kings have said to have contributed to this temple.
Festivals
Pankuni Bhrammotsavam, Vasanta Utsavam, Aadi Pooram and the Pancha Prakara festival are some of the major festivals celebrated here.
Hence lets also partake of the Lord's grace to liberate us from the network of Karma and Samskaras to ultimately abide in Him.
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