Jambukeswarar Temple, Tiruvanaikka, Tamil Nadu

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Jambukeswarar TempleSignificance: This ancient temple is dedicated to Shiva (Jambukeswara) and Parvati (Akhilandeswari) is the foremost Saivite shrines in Tamilnadu. This large temple celebrates Shiva as Jambukeswara, an embodiment of element water and is called Appustalam and is a Pancha Bhoota Stalams - the other being Tiruvannamalai (fire), Chidambaram (Space), Kanchipuram (Earth) and Kalahasti (Air) respectively.


Antiquity: This temple was built in the 1st century BC and was patronized by the Chola Pandya, Hoysala and the Madurai Naik kings. The Chola King Ko Chenkannan built the temple. This temple was in existence during the Sangam period, and it has undergone major changes over the last 2000 years. Inscriptions from the tenth century tell of the Chola patronage. The Pandyas and the Hoysalas contributed to the Eastern tower. Architecture: This temple has five prakarams with massive walls and lofty towers. The second and the third prakarams date back to the thirteenth century. The Akhilandeswari shrine is located in the fourth prakaram. The Eastern tower has seven levels with fine sculptures of musical scenes, while the Western tower has nine levels. The first prakaram was renovated in the 20th century.

Jambukeswarar TempleLegends: There was a forest of Jambu trees near the Chandrateertha tank and Shiva is appeared under one of the trees as a lingam. Two devotees of Shiva were born under a curse as a white elephant and a spider. The elephant worshipped Shiva with flowers and water brought in its trunk hence the name Tiru Aanaikka. The spider worshipped the lingam by spinning a web on top, to protect it from falling leaves. The elephants destroyed the spider`s web, and the spider`s web was considered a desecration in the eyes of the elephant. This led to a fight between them and their death. The spider was reborn in the royal Chola family. His parents Subhadeva and Kamalavati prayed to Nataraja of Chidambaram for a male successor. The royal astrologer predicted the time and birth of a successor who would be a great ruler.