Location: Jambukeswarar Temple is located in the Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Temple Timing: : Morning – 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Evening – 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Most Perfect month to Visit:
Address : Arulmigu Jambukeswarar Akhilandeswari Temple
Thiruvanaikkaval
Thiruvarankam Taluk
Trichy District - 620 005
Phone : 0431 2230257
E-Mail - jambukeswarar@tnhrce.org
By Bus: The temple is located at a distance of 8 km from the central bus stand and at a distance of about 3 km from the Chathiram bus stand of trichy.
By Train: The Trichy junction is located at a distance of 8 km from the temple.
By Air: The Trichy Airport is located at a distance of 15 km from the temple
Once Lord Shiva was angry with Parvati when she made fun of Shiva's penance for making the world a better place to live and as a result he sent Parvati on earth to perform penance. On the directions of Shiva, Parvati took the form of Akilandeswari and went to the Jambu forest to do her penance. From the water of river Cauvery she made a Lingam known as Appu Lingam under the Venn Naaval tree. She then started worshipping the lingam. In the end Shiva gave her Darshan to give Updesha.
There used to be two Siva Ganas or Siva disciples who lived on the Kailasha Parvata called as Malyavan and Pushpadanta. These two Siva Ganas always fought with each other and once Malyavan cursed Pushpadanta to be born as an elephant on the earth while Pushpadanta cursed Malyavan to be born as spider on the earth. The spider and the elephant came together to Jambukeswaram to worship Lord Shiva. The elephant started collecting water from the Cauvery River and started conducting ablution to the Jambu tree every day. On the other hand the spider out of its devotion constructed the web over the lingam to protect it from direct Sunlight and also to prevent dry leaves to fall directly on to the Lingam. The elephant thought it was the dust on to the Lingam and so he cleaned the web of the spider with water. Both of the spider and the elephant continued the process every day. But one day the spider became angry and out of anger it crwled into the trunk of the elephant and killed it. Shiva was amazed at the devotion of the two and relieved both of them from the curse. As a result the place came to known as Thiru Aanai Kaa which means holy elephant forest. Later the name was changed to 'Thiruvanaikaval' and 'Thiruvanaikoil'
The spider was born as the King Kochengot Chola in the next birth because he has done the sin of killing the elephant and he built 70 temples. Jambukeswarar temple is one of those 70 temples and taking account of his animosity with the elephant in its previous birth, the spider built a Siva Sannathi, so that no elephant could enter the temple. The entrance of the temple built such that it is only 4 foot high and 2.5 foot wide.
It is believed that all the devotees of the temple are blessed with happy and prosperous life both in this birth and in the next birth. Those who will worship Goddess Ahilandeswari will be blessed with intelligence, education, children and a great marriage. And, those come across the fifth divine wall called as "Thiruneetran thirumathil" will get all their wishes fulfilled.
The temple is one of those which implement the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's scheme of food donation. Every day the temple feeds 50 persons. Those who are willing to donate can, donate Rs 2000 per day and on Saturdays Rs 3000 and get the receipt for their donation. Also people can make a fixed deposit of Rs 20000 and can donate the interest of the fixed deposit during their marriage or birthdays or on any special occasions of their life.
Festivals: In March-April, the Panguni festival and the Aadi Pooram and Fridays are celebrated in the month of July-August. These are the major festivals celebrated at the temple.
The five Shiva temples is referred to as Pancha Bhoota Stalam and each of them represent the five prime elements of the nature that is air, water, space, Earth and fire. Here, Pancha refers to as five, Bhoota refers to as elements and Sthala is used for place. All these Pancha Bhoota temples are located in the South India, four of which are in Tamil Nadu and one in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is believed that the five elements are enshrined in the five lingams. Each of these five Lingams has been given a different name based on which element they represent. In the Jambukeswarar temple, Shiva has believed to manifest the water, five of the elements and is known as Appu Lingam.
Although the premises of the temple three deities are worshipped, Lord Shiva is the main deity. Inside the main chamber, Lord Shiva is the sole deity and also the temple has various mentions in many of the tales of Mahabharata and Lord Shiva. The God of this temple is called as the Destroyer and is also considered to be the most potent God of the Hindu trinity. One thousand eight names of the deity are known and are worshipped mainly as a lingam.
The priests of the temple follow many rituals while worshipping the deities at the temple. There are many minute details that are to be kept in mind while worshipping the main deity, Lord Shiva at the temple. And, because of which outsiders are not allowed inside the worshipping area during the ritual. The devotees are made to wait outside the temple and once the rituals are over, devotees can go inside and seek the blessing from Lord Shiva and offer Puja in their own way. Also, separate Aarti is performed for other two idols at the temple. Aarti is performed twice in the whole day, once in morning and once in the evening which is known as main aarti or Maha-aarti.
The beautiful temple is believed to be the oldest temples of the state of Sikkim and its serenity and purity of the draws devotees all over from the World. The unique Lord Shiva idol at the temple is made with stone and is in the form of lingam. And, it is a great belief that Mahadeva has emerged from that very stone.
The most apt time to visit the temple is from February to May and also you can visit the temple during the time of festivals. Two festivals including Bala Chaturdesi and Maha Shivaratri are celebrated at the temple with utmost gusto.
