Kshetradanam (Temple Visits) - Continuation

Temple No. 2 - 11-7-2026

Jambukeswarar and Akilandeswari Temples, Thiruvanaikaval, Trichy -One of the Padal Petra Temples.

From Adhimooleswar Temple, we proceeded to Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval which is a Siva Temple in Tiruchirapalli. It is one of the five major shiva temples in Tamil Nadu representing the five elements; this temple represents the element of water. In this temple Siva is worshipped as Jambukeshwarar and his consort Parvat as Akilandeswari.

Once Parvati mocked Siva’s penance for betterment of the world. Siva wanted to condemn her act and directed her to go to the earth from Kailasa to do penance. Parvathi in the form of Akilandesari as per Siva’s wish found Jambu forest to conduct her penance. She made a lingam out of water of river cauvery under the Venn Naaval tree and commenced her worship. The lingam is known as Appu Lingam (Water lingam), Siva at last gave darshan to Akilandeswari and taught her siva gnana. Akilandeswari took upadesa(lessons) facing East from Siva who stood facing West. The Siva lingam is in the water.

Behind Siva’s temple there is a temple for Akilandeswari. Following the legend, a priest performs the pooja every day. It is believed that saint Adi Shankara offered ear rings with a Sri Yatra carving on it to goddess. Akhilandeshwari worshipped her husband Lord Siva in this temple, even today at noon the ‘Archakar” (chief priest) dresses like a female and does puja to Jambukeshwarar and cow. The noon pooja is very famous and a host of pilgrims attend it every day. A special variety of black cow, called Karum Pasu is used for occasion. Annabhishekam to lingam (ablution with cooked rice) is daily ritual performed in the temple.

The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu

The timings are 530 am to 1.00 pm and 3.00pm to 8.30pm (upto 9 pm on certain days).

Distance from Adhimooleswar Temple to this temple is 10 kms, even from City is also 10 kms.

Picture: Gopuram of Jambukeswarar, Trichy