Thiruvanaikaval - Abode of Lord Shiva (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam)

• Meditation:

Jambukeshwarar temple, Thiruvanaikaval, Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu

• Shiva: I meditate on Lord Jambukeshwarar abiding in Thiruvanaikaval (located on the bank of river Kaveri).
(Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu)

• Greatness:

• Thiruvanaikaval is a Shiva Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Shiva) which is a Pancha Bhoota Sthalam (Place representing a prime Element of Nature) [Kanchipuram (Prithivi), Thiruvanaikaval (Jala), Thiruvannamalai (Agni), Srikalahasti (Vayu), Chidambaram (Akasha)] representing the element of Jala (Water)

-- Thiruvanaikaval is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam (Glorified by Nayanmars) [Thiru Anaikka]

-- Since an elephant worshipped Lord Shiva in this place (and attained liberation), the place came to be known as Thiruvanaikka which means "grove of the holy elephant".

• Thiruvanaikaval is also a Devi Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Devi). Devi Parvati performed penance at Thiruvanaikaval (as directed by Lord Shiva) to get clarification of certain doubts. She worshipped a Jala Lingam made out of the water of river Kaveri. Lord Shiva appeared before Her and clarified her doubts.

• Sacred Geography:

▬ River Kaveri flows (Devi Parvati worshipped Lord Shiva on the bank of river Kaveri)
☘ Jambu Tree (The elephant (cursed Pushpadanta) and spider (cursed Malyavan) worshipped Lord Shiva under a Jambu tree)

• Puranic Events:

1. Presence of Lord Shiva in Thiruvanaikaval:
• Penance of Devi Parvati: Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeshwarar Temple is associated with the legend of the penance of Devi Parvati worshipping Lord Shiva.
- Events: Once Devi Parvati approached Lord Shiva for clarification of a doubt. Lord Shiva directed Her to perform penance at Thiruvanaikaval. The Devi made a Jala Lingam out of the water of river Kaveri and started worshipping the Lord. At a proper time, Lord Shiva gave darshan to the Devi and cleared Her doubts.
- Note: Devi Parvati is shown here facing Lord Shiva in the posture of taking upadesha.

• Worship of elephant and spider: Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeshwarar Temple is also associated with the legend of worship of Lord Shiva by an elephant (cursed Pushpadanta) and a spider (cursed Malyavan).
- Events: Once there were two devotees of Lord Shiva in Mount Kailash known as Malyavan and Pushpadanta. Each wanted to excel the other in the devotion of Lord Shiva. In due course, due to a quarrel they cursed each other. Pushpadanta became an elephant and Malyavan a spider. When they approached Lord Shiva, he advised them to go to the present Thiruvanaikaval. Accordingly they started worshipping the Shiva Lingam under a Jambu tree. The elephant used to worship the Lingam by pouring holy water over it. The spider used to construct a canopy over the Lingam with cobweb to prevent dry leaves from falling over it. The elephant did not like the cobweb and used to destroy it. The spider became angry and one day went inside the trunk of the elephant and bit it severely. The elephant out of great pain dashed its trunk on the ground. Both of them died in this fight. Lord Shiva was pleased with their devotion and gave them darshan. The elephant got liberation. The spider was born as the son of Chola king Subhadeva and was named Kosenkannan. He remembered his previous birth and constructed a Shiva temple near the Jambu tree where he in his former birth worshipped the Shiva Lingam as a spider.
- Note: Since an elephant worshipped Lord Shiva in this place (and got liberation), the place came to be known as Thiruvanaikka which means "grove of the holy elephant".

2. Presence of Devi in Thiruvanaikaval:
• Penance of Devi Parvati: Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeshwarar Temple is associated with the legend of the penance of Devi Parvati worshipping Lord Shiva.

• Temples (Summary):

• Shiva:
- Sri Jambukeshwarar

• Devi:
- Devi Akhilandeshwari

• Location:

• Thiruvanaikaval is located in the Tiruchirapalli district of Tamil Nadu. The temple can be visited from Tiruchirapalli (within city).

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