Jambukeswarar Temple Thiruvanaikaval | Pancha Bhoota Sthalam

Located on the Srirangam island, this temple is one of the five sacred places of lord Shiva, signifying as a water element. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where all Saivite Saints have sung glories about the deity. History starts by Goddess Parvati, who was born as a human as directed by lord Shiva. She made a Shiva Lingam with the waters of river Cauvery. The Lord appeared on the Linga and granted darshan to Mother. A sage Jambu by name performed penance in this place to attain Lord Shiva. The Lord granted darshan to the sage and offered Naaval (blackberry) fruit as Prasad. While consuming the fruit, the sage swallowed the seeds too, as he thought it a sin to spit the seeds out. Reaching the stomach of the sage, the seeds began to grow into a tree and pierced his head thus leading to his salvation. Naaval is called ‘Jambu’ in Sanskrit. The water lingam created by lord Parvati is under this tree. As lord granted salvation to sage Jambu, he is called ‘Jambukeswarar’. The temple was built by emperor Kocengannan Chola over 1,800 years ago. The temple bears inscriptions from this era. About 156 Inscriptions have been found at this temple. Inscriptions of King Madurai Konda Parantaka Chola are the oldest among them. Successive dynasties have also made their contribution to the development. The temple is endowed with 5 praharams. The sanctum with the Appu lingam is present in the last enclosure. The entrance of the sanctum sanctorum is only 4 feet high and 2.5 feet wide. There are no doors in the sanctum sanctorum of lord Shiva that the pilgrims have to get a glimpse of it through a stone window with nine holes. Devotees have to worship the lord through these holes only. The myth behind these nine holes of the window represent the nine outlets in the human body which we have to keep under control before the almighty. The temple is a treat for architecture and spiritual lovers.