This is the 114th Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 60th Shiva sthalam on the north side of River Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Both Thiruvanaikoil and Srirangam are on the island formed by the rivers Kaveri and Kollidam before Kallanai. This place was called in different names from ancient times.
In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that, Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva Thayumanavar of Tiruchirappalli.
விண்ணவர் போற்றிசெய் ஆனைக்காவில் வெண்நாவல் மேவிய மெய்ப் பொருளைநண்ணி இறைஞ்சிமுன் வீழ்ந்து எழுந்து நாற்கோட்டு நாகம் பணிந்ததுவும்அண்ணல் கோச்செங்கண் அரசன் செய்த அடிமையும் அம்சொல் தொடையில் வைத்துபண்உறு செந்தமிழ் மாலைபாடிப் பரவி நின்று ஏத்தினார் பான்மையினால்
Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar, Ayyadigal Kadavarkon, Kalamegam and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
வானைக்காவில் வெண்மதி மல்குபுல்கு வார்சடைத்தேனைக்காவில் இன்மொழித் தேவிபாக மாயினான்ஆனைக்காவில் அண்ணலை அபயமாக வாழ்பவர்ஏனைக்காவல் வேண்டுவார் ஏதும் ஏதும் இல்லையே....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் நாவால் நன்று நறுமலர்ச் சேவடிஓவாது ஏத்திஉளத்தடைத் தார்வினைகாவாய் என்றுதம் கைதொழு வார்க்கெல்லாம்ஆவா என்றிடும் ஆனைக்கா அண்ணலே....... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்மறைகள் ஆயின நான்கும் மற்றுள பொருள்களும் எல்லாத்துறையும் தோத்திரத் திறையும் தொன்மையும் நன்மையும் ஆயஅறையும் பூம்புனல் ஆனைக் காவுடை ஆதியை நாளும்இறைவன் என்றடி சேர்வார் எம்மையும் ஆளுடையாரே........ சுந்தரர்குழீஇயிருந்த சுற்றம் குணங்கள் பாராட்டவழீஇயிருந்த அங்கங்கள் எல்லாம் – தழீஇயிருந்தும்என்னானைக்காவா இதுதகா தென்னாமுன்தென்னானைக் காஅடை நீ சென்று......... ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன்ஏரானைக் காவிலுறை என்னானைக் கன்றளித்தபேரானைக் கன்றதனைப் போற்றினால் – வாராதபுத்திவரும் பத்தி வரும் புத்திர உற்பத்தி வரும் சக்தி வரும் சித்தி வருந்தான்......... காளமேகம் ---“நாற்றிசையும்தேனைக்காவுண் மலர்கள் தேங்கட லென்றாக்குவிக்கும்ஆனைக்கா மேவி யமர் அற்புதமே........ திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Jambukeswarar, Sri Appu Lingeswarar, Sri Vennavalesar, Sri Jambunathar, Sri Aanaikka Annal, Sri Neerthiral Nathar.Consort : Sri Akilandeswari
Some of the important features of this temple are....The temple is facing west with a 7 tiers and the east Rajagopuram is of 13 tiers. The Balipeedam, Rishabam and Dwajasthamba under a mandapa are in front of sanctum sanctorum. This is one of the pancha bootha sthalangal and Appu sthalam ( Water ). To signifies this water will be coming from the base of the Linga even during summer. Moolavar is facing west. There is a 9 way jala in front of moolavar and we cannot enter straight to Sanctum Sanctorum like any other temples, instead we have to enter through side way.
In prakaram Maha Saraswati is in standing posture without Veena, Chandra with Karthika & Rohini, Pancha mukha Vinayagar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Shaniswarar, Bhairavar, Jyeshta Devi, Kubera worshiped Kubera Linga and Chandikeswarar.
Some of the sannathis are Rajarajeswarar Sannadhi ( The Moolavar is of 5 mukhas ), Sri Vindeeswarar Sannadhi, Shankareswarar Sannadhi, Pidari Sannadhi, Veerabhadra Swamy Sannadhi and Subramaniya Swamy Sannadhi.
Ambal is in a separate temple facing Lord Shiva ie east direction. Since Ambal worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple, archakar used to do the uchi kala pooja wearing sari. Sri Sakkathodukal ( a type of ear ring ) given by Sri Adhi Sankarar is still is being used for Ambal.
The 15th Century Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple. In one of the hymns he mentions Lord Shiva as “Jambu Nathar” and Sriranga Perumal also.
நாடித் தேடித் தொழுவார்பால்நானத் தாகத் திரிவேனோமாடக் கூடற் பதிஞானவாழ்வைச் சேரத் தருவாயேபாடற் காதற் புரிவோனேபாலைத் தேனோத் தருள்வோனேஆடற் றேகைக் கினியோனேஆனைக் காவிற் பெருமாளே
கருதிய ஆறங்க வேள்வி யந்தணர் அரிகிரி கோவிந்த கேச வென் றிரு கழல்தொழு சீரங்க ராச னண்புறு மருகோனே கமலனு மாகண்ட லாதி யண்டரு மெமது பிரானென்று தாள்வ ணங்கிய கரிவனம் வாழ்சம்பு நாதர் தந்தருள் பெருமாளே
ARCHITECTUREThe temple at Thiruvanaikoil is a big covering an area of about 18 acres with high walls and gopuras on all the 4 sides. The temple has 5 prakaras and 7 Rajagopuras. The main sanctum sanctorum ( in the 5th prakara) can be reached by entering a series of Gopuras (Towers). The Sanctum Sanctorum was built about 4 feet below the Ground level, in such a way that Shiva linga partly submerged in water that comes as a spring for River Kaveri & Kollidam. The entrance to the sanctum is from side and climb down to reach the sanctum sanctorum.
The 4th prakara wall is of 35 feet high, 6 feet thick and 2436 X 1493 feet. The Shrine of Sri Akilandeswari is situated in the 4th prakara.
Some of the mandapas are Oonjal Mandapam, Vasantha mandapam, 1000 pillar mandapa ( centre mandapa was built like a Chariot with horses and wheels ), 100 pillar mandapa, Navaratri mandapa, Dwajasthamba mandapa, Natarajar Mandapa, Mummoorthy mandapa, Mani Mandapa and Somaskandar Mandapam.
The Temple has 9 Theerthas / Temple Tanks, namely Brahma Theertham, Indra Theertham, Jambu theertham, Rama Theertham, Srimat Theertham, Agni Theertham, Agasthiya Theertham, Chandra Theertham and Surya Theertham.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSBRIEF HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE :Thiruvanaikoil is a beautiful small urban village at Tiruchirappalli District ( 'Trichy', 'Tiruchirappalli', 'Tiruchinopoly', 'Tiruchi') in Tamil Nadu of Southern India. Thiruvanaikoil is also popularly known as Thiruvanaikoil, Thiruvanaikaval, Thiruvanaika, Thiruanaikaa. Thiruvanaikoil is around 3 Km away from the heart of Tiruchirappalli city and adjacent to Srirangam another small historic town, where Maha Vishnu as Ranganathar’s temple is there. Thiruvanaikoil and Srirangam are on the banks of river Cauvery. Literally these two place on an island, surrounded by river Cauvery and river Kollidam /Coleroon.
This large temple celebrates Lord Shiva as Jambukeswara, an embodiment of the element water and is often referred as Appu sthalam and is hence one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams, the other four temples are Tiruvannamalai (fire), Chidambaram (Space), Kanchipuram (Earth) and Kalahasti (Air) respectively.
INSCRIPTIONSThe original temple might have been constructed by Chengat Chozha and latter reconstructed with stone during medieval Chozhas period. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvanaikavudayar, Thiruvanaikavudaya Nayanar, Mahadeva Battar. And Ambal was called as Akilandeswari, Akilandanayagi. This place was under Thenkarai Pandya Kulanasini Valanadu.
Rajarajan-I’s 20th reign year inscription records that three people gifted the proceeding of the sale of land and housing plot to this temple, by three people.
An inscription with out king’s name records the endowment of daily naivedyam with vegetables to Ambal Akilandeswari after purchase of land for gold, by Thondai mandalam Pulivelurudayan Thevarai Thozhunthan. Please note that this person belongs to Thondai mandalam or Jayangonda Chozhamandalam.
Rajaraja-III, Kulothunga Chozha-I, Kulothunga Chozha-III, Rajendra Chozha Period inscriptions records the endowment poojas, prayer, Naivedyam, burning of petual lamps for which land, gold and kasu etc, was gifted to this temple.
Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 47th reign year inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam and sacred bath on two days during festival to Rishabathevar and nampiratiyar for which a land was sold to Munayan Arumozhithevan alias Villavarayan and the money was deposited in the temple’s pandaram / treasury.
Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan ( 1251 – 64 CE ), Kulasekara Pandyan ( 1278 CE ), Kakathiya king Pratapha Rudradevan period inscriptions records the gift of Lands to this temple. It is believed that East side of the 4th prakara Rajagopuram was built by Sundara Pandya.
Hoysala King Veera Someswara ( 1253 CE ) period inscription on the North wall of 3rd prakara records that Hoysaleswara Temple was built by him at their Capital Kannanur aka Samayapuram. Now called as Bhojaraja Temple. Veera Someswaran also established the images of his Grand Father Vallalar, Grand Mother Padmala, His father Narasimhan-II and his wife Somaladevi and worshiped. They also gave gifts to this temple.
Veera Someswaran’s son Veera Ramanathan’s 1271 CE, inscription records, that he also donated lands to this temple. Kannanoor alias Samayapuram was a Capital for Hoysala Kings and Veera Someswaran period this place was called as Vikaramapuram.
The Chalukya King Kopparajan’s son Thirumalairayan 1450 – 80 CE, inscription on the Ambal temple’s south wall records the endowment of donation of an ornament to Lord Shiva. The Same king has given lot of wealth to Kalamega poet to recover from poverty. The poet mentions the same in his poem.
The Konerimai Kondan’s period inscription on the west wall of Sri Sankaracharya madam records that a madam was established in the name of Narpathonayiravar ( May be a merchant group ) madam and annadhanam was served. The same King gave donations to the Thiruppainjeeli temple Rajagopuram.
A Chozha’s Provincial Chief Valakakamaya’s, inscription on the north wall of 3rd Prakara records the gift of one Veli land in the Village, Vadakarai Venkonkudi to Lord Shiva of this temple. He calls himself as Bhima of the Chozhas. He also bears the title of maha mandaleswara which suggests that he was a subordinate Chief under one of the last Kings of the first Vijayanagar Dynasty ( ?). The donation was made on 3rd February 1482 CE.
Major Thirupani was carried out by Kanadukathan Chidambaram Chettiar and maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted 1908. After attending repair works maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 96th April, 1960.
Two Chariots was donated by Chidambaram Chettiar in 1910. The Palliyar Sannadhi was also constructed during 1908. Electrification of the temple was done in 1935.
LEGENDSLord Shiva of this temple was called in different names and some of them are, Jambu Nathar, Jambunayagar,VeNNavaleesar, Jambu Lingam, Appu Lingam, Amudha lingam, Amudhewarar, Brahma Lingam, Brahmeesar, Gajaranyanathar, Pachathabeswarar, Adhiperunchelvar, Shankareswarar, Chezhuneerthiral ( by Appar ), etc,.
Brahma, Spider, Elephant, Ashtavasukkal, Ambal, Prasrar, Ko-Chenkat- Chozha, Gauthamar, Kubera, Agni, Indra, Ashtavasukkal / Ashtadikpalakas, Adi Sankarar, Moovar, Aiyadigal Kadavarkon, Rama worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
The muthu aram ( Pearl aram ) an ornament adorn Lord Shiva was belongs to Chozha King who ruled Chozha Dynasty with Uraiyur as capital. As per the legend when the Chozha King was taking a bath in the river Kaveri he lost this precious “Muthu Aram“. The Chozha King Prayed Lord Shiva and let the ‘Muthu Aram be yours, Please accept it”. The Muthu aram/ mala entered in to the Thirumanjana kudam / pot, when the Pandithar fetched water from from River Kaveri. While the Pandithar was doing Abhishekam the Muthu Haram had fallen on Moolavar. This was mentioned by Sundarar in his hymns and Periya Puranam also mentions as “ Valavar Peruman Thiru Aram – வளவர் பெருமான் திருஆரம்“ and the Sundarar Hymns as...
தார மாகிய பொன்னித் தண்துறை ஆடி விழுத்தும்நீரில் நின்றடி போற்றி நின்மலா கொள்என ஆங்கே ஆரங் கொண்டஎம் ஆனைக் காவுடை ஆதியை நாளும்ஈரம் உள்ளவர் நாளும் எம்மையும் ஆளுடையரே
According to the legend, this place was once a forest with jambu trees. Nearby was a tank called Chandra theertha which was filled by water from the river Kaveri. Lord Shiva appeared as a Linga under one of the sthala Viruksha Jambu tree / White Naval maram, Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Jambulingam.
In another legend a sage called Jambu did a penance on Lord shiva of this temple. Appreciating the sage’s devotion Lord Shiva gave darshan and gave him a Vellai Naaval fruit ( Jambu in Sanskrit and blackberry in English ) as Prasad. The Sage Jambu ate the fruit and swallowed the seed too, since it was a prasand, he do not want to spit out. On reaching Sage’s stomach, the seed started sprout and grown as tree piercing through his head and the Sage Jambu attained mukthi. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Jambukeswarar.
In another Legend. Ma Parvati Came to earth and did penance on Lord Shiva. She had made a Shiva Linga out of Kaveri river water and worshiped him. Hence this temple has become one of the Pancha Boota sthalas - Water.
Due to a curse, two Shiva ganas Pushpadanta and Malyava, were born in the forest as a white elephant and as a spider. The elephant worshiped the Lingam with flowers and do abhishek with water brought in its trunk from river Kaveri. The spider too worshiped the Lingam, spinning out a web over the Lingam to prevent leaves of the tree, falling on it. The spider's web appeared to be unclean for the elephant and it destroyed the web. This lead to big clash between the two and ultimately resulted in their death. Lord Shiva granted Moksha (salvation) to both. The Spider was born in a royal Chozha family as the great king Ko Chenkannan, a Chozha King who built about 70 temples ( Madakovil ) including the temple of Jambukeswarar at Thiruvanaikoil. Because the king remembered about his earlier birth as Spider, he built 70, mada temples in a such way that no elephant can enter the sanctum sanctorum. Thirumangai Alwar mentions the same in one of his pasurams.
இருக்கிலங்கு திருமொழிவாய் எண்தோள் ஈசற்குஎழில் மாடம் எழுபது செய்து உலகாண்ட திருக்குலத்து வளச் சோழன்......... திருமங்கையாழ்வார்The ( 4th ?) 5th Vibhuti prakara wall is called as “Thiruneetran mathil”.. It is 32 feet high 6 feet thick and 8000 feet long. The legend behind this is, after completion of the wall, Lord Shiva came in the form of Siddhar gave Vibhuti as wages to the labourers. When they opened their hand and found that the Vibhuti has changed to Gold.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas, Pradosham, 10 days Vaikasi Vasantha Utsavam in the month Vaikasi ( April ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi ( October – November ), Thai Poosam, Thai Theppotsavam, Fridays in the month Thai ( January ), 40 days Brahmotsavam in the months Panguni ( March – April ) . In addition to this Car festivals, Pancha Prakara festival are celebrated in grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe Temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs. Usha kala pooja will start around 06.30 hrs, Uchikala poojas will be conducted at 12.00 hrs and Artha Jama pooja will end around 21.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS :Land line Number +91 431 2230257.Temple website http://www.thiruvanaikavaltemple.tnhrce.in/history.html
HOW TO REACH:Frequent Buses are available from various parts of Tamil Nadu.Frequent Town buses are available from Main guard gate, MalaikottaiThe temple is 1 KM from Srirangam Sri Ranganathar Temple, 4.0 KM from Thayumanavar temple tank and 8 Km from main bus stand, 60 KM from Thanjavur and 320 KM from Chennai. Nearest Railway station is Tiruchirappalli.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Golden Car
Golden Car procession
Nayak kings
Chandrasekarar
Somaskandar
Sthalapurana bas-relief
Sthala purana Painting
Temple Layout 
Hero Stone--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
புத்திவரும் பத்தி வரும் புத்திர உற்பத்தி வரும்
Moolavar : Sri Jambukeswarar, Sri Appu Lingeswarar,
அரிகிரி கோவிந்த கேச வென் றிரு
The temple at Thiruvanaikoil is a big covering an area of about 18 acres with high walls and gopuras on all the 4 sides. The temple has 5 prakaras and 7 Rajagopuras. The main sanctum sanctorum ( in the 5th prakara) can be reached by entering a series of Gopuras (Towers). The Sanctum Sanctorum was built about 4 feet below the Ground level, in such a way that Shiva linga partly submerged in water that comes as a spring for River Kaveri & Kollidam. The entrance to the sanctum is from side and climb down to reach the sanctum sanctorum.
நீரில் நின்றடி போற்றி நின்மலா கொள்என ஆங்கே
According to the legend, this place was once a forest with jambu trees. Nearby was a tank called Chandra theertha which was filled by water from the river Kaveri. Lord Shiva appeared as a Linga under one of the sthala Viruksha Jambu tree / White Naval maram, Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Jambulingam.
எழில் மாடம் எழுபது செய்து உலகாண்ட
Golden Car
Golden Car procession
Nayak kings
Chandrasekarar
Somaskandar
Sthalapurana bas-relief
Sthala purana Painting
Temple Layout
Hero Stone
It would be so wonderful if we can access the temple map in English. There are many non-tamil speaking enthusiasts. I am one such individual. If anyone has an English map please share.
ReplyDelete