The Jambukeshwarar temple in Tiruvanaikkaval alongside the holy river Cauvery, is one the Panchabhootha sthalam where the Lord manifests as the element of water. The temple is believed to have constructed by King Kochengot Chola.The shrine was then widely expanded by Hoysala king, Someswara, the son of Vira Narasimha. The tiered gopuram is also believed to have constructed by the Hoysala king.The temple has inscriptions from the Chola era showing their endowments to the place. The four most revered Nayanars have sung praises of the Jambukeshwarar. The temple has been maintained by Nattukottai Chettiars during the later centuries.

Location TamilNadu, Tiruchirappalli, Chennai

Legend

Legend regarding Jambukeswarar Temple states that Parvati made a lingam out of water from river Cauvery and conducted here penance to Lord Shiva here. Shiva, pleased with her devotion taught her Siva Gnana.

Another legend regarding the origin of the temple revolves around two disciples of Shiva who were cursed to be born as elephant and spider. The elephant and the spider came to Jambukeswaram and worshipped Shiva. The elephant conducted ablution to the lingam while the spider constructed his web over it to protect from dry leaves and sun. The spider angry that the elephant's abhishekam daily removed his web, crawled into the trunk of the elephant and bit it to death, as well as killing itself. Shiva moved by the devotion, relieved them from the curse. As he killed an elephant, the spider was then reborn as the King Kochengot Chola who built 70 temples including this one. His enmity to the elephant made sure that the sanctum surely had a door which an elephant cannot ever enter.

This temple is part of the famous Pancha Bootha Stalam Yatra.

Architecture

The Jambukeswarar Temple built in Dravidian style has a huge 7-tiered rajagopuram with intricate carvings. There are five enclosures inside the temple. The massive outer wall is believed to have built by Lord Shiva along with labourers.The innermost enclosure has the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum is divided into the Ardha Mantapam and the Garbha Griha where the deity of Jambukeswarar is housed. Entrance into the Sanctum is through a small door on the southern wall. The upper part of the swayambhu linga is copper coloured, whereas pedestal is of black granite. A stream of water is said to emerge from the linga, the flow of which increases during the Monsoon.

Culture

Tiruvanaikkaval is a small and peaceful town on the northern bank of the river Cauvery, close to the river island of Srirangam. The Jambukeshwarar temple is one of the most important attractions of the place.  It is the birth place of Nobel Laureate Sir C. V. Raman.

Darsan Info

Fridays of Aadi month, the temple is open from 2 AM to 12 PM.  The temple also hosts the annual Natyanjali, a festival of classical Indian dances

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and traditional clothing. Western attire are not allowed in the temples of Tamil Nadu

Famous Festival

January - Thai Poosam(Jan/Feb)

March - Sivrathri(Feb/Mar)

May - Vasantha Urchavam (May/June)

July - Aadipuram festival (July/August)

October - Navrathri

Temple Rituals

The priests perform regular pujas to the deities. There are five main pujas performed during regular days. Annabhishekam is performed to the Lingam at Jambukeswarar Temple

Special Rituals

During the noon puja, the priest dresses like a female and does pooja to Lord Jambukeshwara

Additional Info




Eateries near Jambukeswarar Temple

Hotel Saravana Bhavan

Sri Sakthi Vilas hotel

Rama Cafe

Supermarket : Available