Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval – Temple
Architecture
This is a vast temple (18 acres) with lofty gopurams, 5
prakarams and ornate mandapams. The second and third prakarams date back to the
13th century. The Dwajasthampa mandapam has grand sculptural work. There is an
image of Ekapada Trimurthy representing the unity of Bhrama Vishnu and Shiva in
this temple.
The Akhilandeswari shrine is located in the fourth
prakaram. The Eastern tower with seven levels has fine sculptural specimen of
musical scenes, while the Western tower has nine levels. The first prakaram has
been renovated in this century.
As per Fergusson, the temple surpasses the Srirangam
Ranganathaswamy temple in architectural terms, which were both constructed at
the same time. There are five enclosures inside the temple. The massive
outer wall covering the fifth precinct, known as the Vibhuti Prakara,
stretches over a mile and is two feet thick and over 25 feet high. Legend
maintains that the wall was built by Shiva working with the laborers.
The fourth precinct contains a hall with 796 pillars and
measures 2436 feet by 1493. It also has a small tank fed by perpetual
springs. The third enclosure is 745 feet by 197 surrounded a wall 30 feet
high. This area has two gopurams (gateway towers) 73 and 100 feet
tall, a coconut Thoppu and a small water tank. The second
enclosure is 306 feet by 197, a gopuram 65 feet high and several
small shrines. The inner most enclosure measuring 126 feet by 123 has the
sanctum.
The temple is also considered the abode of goddess Akilandeswari, one of the forms of the goddess Parvati. Mother Maha
Saraswathi graces the devotees from behind the Lord’s shrine in a standing form
but without Veena. Nearby is Chandra the Moon with Karthika and
Rohini. Other important shrines are that of Lord Panchamukha
Vinayaka (with five faces) and Sani Bhagwan with Jeshtadevi. Kubera
Linga worshipped by Kubera is on the bank of Jambu Theertham to whom abishek is
performed with three fruits-plantain, mango and jack on Aani Poornima day-full
moon in June-July.
This is one of the 8 temples in TN with 1000 pillared
mandapa. The vimanam is a granite structure – similar to the one seen in
Thittai. Vikrama Chozha built the 3rd prakara, Sundara Pandyan the
4th prakara, while Shiva Siddhar built the outermost and biggest
5th prakara. An inscription refers to Hoysala King ruling this place from
Samayapuram (Vikramapuram).
Temple Layout:
Chola King “Ko Chengata Cholan” (He is also called
as Chenganan) constructed this temple in 1st Century B.C. Ko Chengata
Chola had built 70 other Shiva temples all over Tamil Nadu and he is one among
the 63 “Nayanmars” (Holy Saivite saints). Thiruvanaikoil temple was built
according to 'Saiva Aagama Sasthra'. According to Saiva Agamam, the
temple reflects the human body and the idol of Lord Shiva are considered as
the soul. Many other kings like Pandiyas and Nayakkars of
Madurai later renovated this temple.
The 2nd and 3rd Praharams were built in
13th century A.D. and the 4th Praharam was constructed in the late
13th century A.D. There is eight other “Kodi Maram” (flag masts) in this
temple in the 3rd praharam. Apart from the main huge “Kodi Maram” in front
of the Lord and one in front of Devi Akilandeswari.
Thiruvanaikoil temple was built in an area close to 18
acres and measures 2500 feet by 1500 feet. The temple has five “Praharams”. All
the temple “Madhils” (wall) are 35 ft. high and 6 ft. thick and measures 2436
feet by 1493 feet. The “Swami” (Shivalinga) is installed facing West and “Ambal”
(Akilandeswari) facing East.
Although the original temple is believed to be built by
Kochenganan Chola, there are more than 100 inscriptions of various dynasties
such as Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara kings and Madurai Nayakkars are
found in this temple. This is one of the largest temples in South
India.
Monolithic stone pillars (made from single stone) are
found in the mandapam, situated at the entrance of Aariyavittan tower in 3rd
Praharam. Stone chains and 12 zodiac signs are beautifully carved on these
pillars. Pillars found in 1000 pillar hall and in various parts of temple have
artistic sculptural works.
The architecture of the temple is so wonderful that it
is said to have even surpassed that of the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple
which was constructed around the same period.
Architecture of the temple is explained in detail as
below;
Mandapams:
There are many mandapams in the temple, a 1000 Pillar
(This Mandapam is on the North West corner of the 3rd praharam. To be
precise it’s on your left when you enter the temple) and a 100 Pillar Mandapam
(this is on the North East corner of the 3rd Praharam), Vasanta mandapam
(The mandapam is surrounded by pool of water where Lord Shiva and Goddess
Akilandeswari are worshipped on summer evenings), Somaskanda mandapam, Nataraja
mandapam, Trimurthy mandapam, etc. The thousand-pillared mandapam looks
like a chariot.
Sthala Viruksham:
The Sthala Vriksham or holy tree here is the White
Jambuka, Syzygium samarangense, found growing along the south-eastern wall of the
sanctum sanctorum. The trunk of the tree is protected by a walled structure.
Gopurams:
Raja Gopuram:
This is the Gopuram in the West 5th Praharam (the
main entrance). The other 3 entrances of 5th praharam have no Gopurams.
Sundarapandiyan Gopuram:
The East Gopuram is located on the 4th praharam.
Pandiya King Jadavarman Sundarapandian constructed this Gopuram.
Mallappan Gopuram:
This is the West Gopuram in the 4th Praharam. King
Sandhirabendiran son of King Adhithya Devan built this in 1435 A.D.
Karthigai Gopuram:
This Gopuram is the West Gopuram after Mallappan
Gopuram. This was constructed in the early 13th century (at the period of
Third Kulothunga Chola).
Fifth Enclosure:
The temple has a huge and magnificent seven tiered Raja
Gopuram in the entrance. The idols of Kali and Veerabhadra are on either side
of the entrance. The outermost fifth enclosure is a massive outer wall known as
the Vibhuti Praharam. It is two feet thick, over 25 feet high and stretches
over a mile. Legend says that Lord Shiva himself assisted the labourers who
built the wall.
Vibhuthi Praharam:
There are many interesting legends in this
temple. When the king “Thirruneetru Sundara Pandiyan” was constructing the
5th Praharam wall on the East Side, he was running out of money to pay to
the laborers for the next day of work. On that night in the Kings dream Lord
Shiva asked him to continue the work. As per the Lords wish the King
continued the construction and at the end of that day
a Sanyasi (saint) came there and he gave the laborers pinches of
sacred ash. That sacred ash turned into gold equivalent to the work done by
them. Then only the King and others came to know that the Sanyasi is none other
than the Lord himself. Because of this instance the East Side praharam is known
as “Vibhuthi” (sacred ash) praharam.
Fourth Enclosure:
There is another seven tiered tower with a shrine of
Lord Ganesha at the entrance. The fourth precinct encloses a hall with 796
pillars and is 2436 feet by 1493 feet. It also has a tank with ever flowing
springs.
Third Enclosure:
At its entrance it has another tower called the Mallappan
tower with two shrines of Ganesha and Subramanya at its entrance. The third
precinct encloses two gopurams (gateway towers) which are 73 and 100 feet tall,
a coconut grove and a small water tank. It measures 745 feet by 197 feet and is
surrounded by a wall 30 feet high.
This is the third enclosure which has a small four
pillared mandapa, a small tank and a garden with a lot of coconut trees.
Second Enclosure:
Beyond that there is a huge seven tiered tower. The
actual temple starts from this area. The second precinct is 307 feet by 197
feet with a gopuram 65 feet high and several small shrines and pillared
mandapas. On the left side there is a big sub shrine almost like a separate
temple dedicated to Jambukeshwarar-Akhilandeshwari. Beyond that there is ‘Oonjal
Mandapa’. After that there is a mandapa full of pillars containing beautiful
sculptures.
A small Ganesha idol is located here. The right side
area has a small temple like shrine dedicated to Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar, a
tank named Indira Teertham, a small shrine with mandapa and prakara for Shiva
linga called Kashi Vishwanatha and three sub shrines with small Shiva Linga
idols named Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
This enclosure has thinnais or raised platforms with lot
of pillars on either side having beautiful sculptures on them. There are sub
shrines of Bala Dhandayuthapani and Saneeswara with Jyeshta Devi which is a
rare sight. Few Dhwajasthambas or flag posts are found in the backside of the
main shrine of this enclosure.
A few small mandapas are located here. In a particular
mandapa there are four statues of dancing girls found which are extremely
attractive. The 100 pillared mandapa is also located here.
There is an entrance from the backside in this prakara. There
are two towers found in this section. The area between the two towers have few
sub shrines and Jambu Teertham or the holy tank. A big shrine more like a
separate temple is dedicated to Shiva Linga named Sankaralingeshwara. The Goddess
Sankareshwari, Dakshinamurthy Narthana Ganapathy and Subramanya Valli are also
located in this shrine. A big Linga named Kubera Linga, a small linga named
Jambu Linga and Akhilandeshwari are found near the holy Teertham.
Goddess Akhilandeshwari’s Shrine:
Unlike the other Shiva temples, there is no marriage conducted
in this temple for Shiva and Parvati as here Parvati (Goddess Akhilandeshwari)
was like a student and Lord Shiva (Jambukeshwara) was like a teacher (Guru).
The temple idols are therefore installed opposite to each other. Such temples
are known as Upadesha Sthalas. Goddess Akhilandeshwari and Prasanna Vinayaka
are in the shape of the Pranava Mantra ‘Om’.
It is believed that the Goddess was in deep anger hence
during one of Adi Sankara’s visits he installed the Prasanna Ganapathy idol
right opposite to her (as no mother would be angry in the presence of her
child) and installed a pair of Shri Chakra earrings (Thatankas) to reduce her
anger.
The entrance to the shrine of Akilandeswari is
located at the backside of the main shrine in the second enclosure. This shrine
is more like a separate temple with a separate flag post, Bali Peetham and
Nandi idol facing the Goddess. The shrine has two prakarams.
The idol of the Goddess is very tall and attractive with
four arms. The prakara has two Shanmuga-Valli-Devasena idols, four Ganesha
idols and the rare Chandra with his Consorts Rohini and Krithika. The
bas-relief images of Iccha, Kriya, Jnana, Durga and Chandikeshwari are found on
the wall surrounding the shrine as the Goshta Idols. Few more idols like
Saraswati, Ganesha and Bhadra are also located in the temple of
Akhilandeshwari.
First Enclosure:
In the first enclosure there is a sub shrine which
houses the tall idols of Nataraja and Sivakami. In this enclosure the idols of Dakshinamoorthy,
Chandikeshwarar, Bhairava and two Jura Deva (sandalwood idols of Shiva with
three legs and three arms) are all located. The important sub shrine here is Kochenganan
shrine, the Chola King who built this temple. There is a sub shrine housing the
big idol of Vallabha Ganapathi with 10 arms and holding his Consort.
Nandi Mandapa:
The Nandi Mandapa is adorned with four wide decorated
pillars. There are intricate sculptures in the ceiling of this mandapa.
Navagraha shrine is located near the Nandi Mandapa. Facing the main shrine
stands the tall flag post (Dhwajasthambha) and an adjacent small flag post
along with Bali peetham and big Nandi idol. The Nandi mandapa is adorned with
four wide decorated pillars; the ceiling of this mandapa also has intricate
sculptures. Navagraha shrine is located near the Nandi mandapa.
Innermost Enclosure:
There is a small tower at the entrance. In this inner
enclosure there are shrines of Subramanya with his consorts, Kalyana Sundara,
Nataraja and Sivakami, Navagrahas, Chandikeshwarar, Mahalakshmi, Ganesha, 63
Nayanmars as Utsava idols and a big Shiva Linga- Sahasra Linga. The idols of
Bhairava, few Goddesses, Surya, Subramanya Saptamata, Dakshinamurthy and
Chandra are also found here.
The Sahasra Linga with 1008 small lingams is opposite to
the Navagraha Sannidhi. It is said that even Lord Rama on his return to Lanka
after vanquishing Ravana installed a lingam called the Maragatha Lingam to get
rid of the ghosts of the Asuras that were following him. Hence devotees pray to
Him for removal of obstacles in marriage leading to marital bliss and harmony.
Mukha Mandapam:
The western side of the sanctum, from where the deity is
viewed, is continuous with a large closed hall, the Mukha Mantapa, containing
four-pillars and housing a bronze idol of Nandi. The Mukha Mantapa has a large, ornate western door
gilded with silver that forms the principal entrance. There are two additional
entrances to the Mukha Mantapa on the southern and North Eastern sides as well.
A set of three steps descend to the level of the sanctum sanctorum from the
Mukha Mantapa. The deity is viewed through a stone window that forms an
integral part of the western face of the sanctum sanctorum. The window has nine
viewing apertures, believed to represent the Navagraha. There is a panel in bas-relief over the window
depicting the sthala Puranam.
The Jambuka tree growing out of a meditating sage's head
on the extreme right; the linga of Jambukeswarar under the tree; a spider and
an elephant worshiping the linga along with the Goddess Parvati who stands to
the left of the linga.
Ardha Mandapam:
The sanctum sanctorum is divided into the Ardha Mantapam
or Antaralam (whose western wall bears the window) and the Garbha Griha where
the deity of Jambukeswarar is housed. Entrance into the Sanctum is through a
small door on the southern wall, about 4 feet in height. The Ardha Mantapa is
about 4 feet X 4 feet and contains an idol of Goddess Parvati on the right side
of the door to the Garbha Griha. Devotees are admitted in groups of six into
the Ardha Mantapa during Sevas like Abhishekam or on payment of a small fee.
Main Shrine:
The innermost precinct encloses the sanctum sanctorum
which is a square structure open on three sides found independently situated at
the center of the enclosure and measures 126 feet by 123 feet. This structure
has a shallow moat separating it from the circumambulatory path of the
innermost enclosure. There is a Vimana on the roof of the sanctum. The
Sthala Vruksha or the holy tree is the White Jambuka which grows along the
South Eastern wall of the sanctum sanctorum. A walled structure protects the
trunk of the tree. There is a large closed hall on the western side of the
sanctum from where the deity is viewed called the Mukha Mantapa.
The Garbha Griha is a wider structure compared to the
Ardha Mantapa. At the center, the Brahma Sthana is the self-manifested linga of
Jambukeswarar. The upper conical part of the linga is of the color of copper,
whereas the yoni-bhaga or the pedestal is of black granite. A brass ring is
seen at the point of attachment of the linga to the pedestal. The height of the
linga is about 3 feet from the floor of the sanctum. The Garbha Griha and the
Ardha Mantapa are unadorned from the inside, the only source of illumination
within the sanctum being ghee lamps.
A stream of water is said to emerge from the linga,
which is usually demonstrated as the soaking wet clothes in which it is draped.
The water flow increases significantly during the Monsoon. The main deity of
the temple is Jambukeswara, representing the element water. Jambukeswara is
depicted sitting under a Jambu tree, which grows over a small stream that engulfs
the deity during the rainy season.
The Shiva Linga (Jambukeswarar) is found always
submerged partially in the naturally formed underground stream water. The west
facing shrine doesn't have entrance there. Instead it has a window with
nine holes. The devotees generally worship the idol through the holes.
Nevertheless there is an entrance at the southern side.
The small idol of Parvati (Akilandeswari) is also
located in a corner in the sanctum sanctorum. Facing the nine holed window
stands the well decorated mukha mandapa where the bronze idol of Nandi is
located.
The image of Trimurthy Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva is present
in the temple. There are separate shrines beyond the temple compound namely
Lord Muruga in the form of Aandi having the same typical structure as the main
shrines in Palani. The temple also has a shrine of Adi Shankara.
This is a temple which any devotee or tourist should not
miss.
Other Shrines inside & around the Temple:
There are many small shrines inside this temple in the
Praharams dedicated to other goddesses. “Murugan” Sannadhi on the way to Amman
temple from Swami temple is an important shrine. Lord Muruga is in the form of
“Aandi” (like the one in “Palani”). One the month of “Aadi” on the day of
“Krithigai” star (the birth star of Lord Muruga) it draws thousands of devotees
from all around. The “Kaavadi” (offerings carried as a procession) and
continued “Abishekam” on that day are very famous.
Adjacent to Lord Muruga is the Sannadhi for Lord Saneeswara
(Saneeswarar – Saturn) with Jeshtadevi. Thiruvanaikoil is one of the very few
temples where you can find a separate Sannadhi for Saneeswarar that to with the
goddess Jeshtadevi.
There is a “Vallabhai Ganapathy” Sannadhi on the
2nd Praharam of the Swami temple. It’s on your right just before entering
the 1st Praharam of Swami temple.
Raja Rajeswarar Shrine deserves special mention. The
Lingam installed here has five faces and is known as Panchamukha Lingam.
In the Swami temple just opposite to the Navagraha you
can see the “Sahasra Linga”. Sahasram means 1008. The “Sahasra Linga” is one
large Linga on which 1008 small Lingas were carved.
Other Sannadhis at Swami temple are Sangareshwarar,
Dakshinamoorthy (Guru Bhagavan), Lakshmi, Subramaniar, Natarajar and statues
and “panchaloha” (five metals) idols of 63 Nayanmars.
Sri Rama & Thiruvanaikoil:
Sri Rama on his way back to Ayodhya after the war with
Ravana installed a Lingam (Marakata (Green Stone) Lingam now known as
Nilavindiswarar) in Thiruvanaikoil to eliminate the ghosts of the “Asuras”,
which followed him.
Ellaiyamman Temple:
Each and every village will have a “Kaaval Deivam” (Protector
God/Goddess). Usually the temple of that God/Goddess will be at the boundary of
that village. Thiruvanaikoil also have one “Kaaval Deivam” and its “Pidari
Amman” also called as “Ellai Amman” and “Iraniyamman”. This Ellaiyamman is an
Ugra Devatha (Goddess with Fury). It’s believed that Ellaiyamman is formed from
the sweat of Goddess Devi Akilandeswari.
Ellaiyamman protects the Thiruvanaikoil village from the
evil. The temple of the Ellaiyamman is in the South East corner outside the
Thiruvanaikoil temple. You can see this in the Trichy – Chennai By-Pass road.
Every year in the month of Thai a five day festival is
celebrated for this Goddess and the Goddess is taken into procession in side
all streets of village in four different Vahanams (Yanai – Elephant, Kudhirai –
Horse, Bootham and Ther – Chariot).
Inscriptions:
There are hundreds of inscriptions inside the temple
dating back to the rule of Chozhas, Pandyas and Hoysalas. 156 Inscriptions have
been found at this temple. Inscriptions of King Madurai konda Parakesari Varman
Paranthaka Cholan is the oldest among them. Information about renovations and
wealth of this temple are found in these inscriptions.
Temple cars:
In the year1910, 2 big temple cars were made for god
& goddess. ‘Coratham’ (used for procession) and several wooden Vahanas are
present in this temple.
