Tiruvanaikovil Arulmigu Jambukeswarar Akhilandeswari Temple

Raghavan

This temple is one among the ‘Pancha Bhoota Sthalam’ - refers to as the five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of the five prime elements of nature - earth, water, fire, air and aether. Though this grand temple occupies approximately 18 acres with a massive fourth precinct measuring 2436 feet by 1493 feet, the entrance to the sanctorum of Jambukeswara (Shiva worshipped here in the form of Varuna Lingam, Consort Akilandeswari Amman) is just 4 foot high and 2.5 foot wide.

In the views of James Fergusson (British Architectural Historian, 1808-1886), Thiruvanaikoil temple excels the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple in many architectural aspects. The temple has five “Praharams” (enclosures), each wall's height ranging from 20-30 feet and 2 to 5 feet thickness. The 2nd and 3rd praharams were built in early 13th century CE and the 4th Praharam was constructed in the late 13th century CE. The impressive outer wall covering the 5th precinct stretches over a kilometer and is two feet thick and over 25 feet high was constructed by 'Thiruneetru Sundara Pandiyan'.

The Temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Thirunavukkarasar on worshipping the Shiva at Thiruvanaikkaval wrote: "ஒ மாடத் ள் ஒன் ப வாய் த ங்

க க ரிப் பதன் ன் னங் கழல ெதா ைககளாற் மலர் விநின் ற ம வர் க் கன் பன் ஆைனக் கா அண் ணேல".

Place: Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval, 10kms away from Trichirapalli, Tamilnadu.

Period: Temple’s earliest existence dates back to 1st-2nd century CE by Chola King “Ko Chengot Cholan” (ேகாச் ெசங் கட் ேசாழ நாயனார் also called as Chenkannan - Red eyed king). He had built 70 other Shiva temples and is one among the 63 “Nayannmars” (Holy Saivite saints).

Various Kings of Chola, Pandiya, Hoysala and Vijayanagar Nayakar dynasties have contributed for the upkeep of this temple and performed various renovations and constructions. There are 156 inscriptions from various Chola kings from 10th - 12th century indicating grants to the temple - earliest one from Paranthaka Chola (907-950 CE). The temple was widely expanded by Hoysala king Someswara, a strong devotee of Shiva in the later 13th Century CE. Many later additions were made in the 19th century by Nagarathar.