Temples: Jambukeswarar Temple – Pancha Bhoota Sthalas – 02/05
💧Apas Lingam (Water Element of Shiva)
🕉️ Introduction
The Jambukeswarar Temple, located at Thiruvanaikaval near Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) in Tamil Nadu, is the abode of Lord Shiva as Water — the Apas Lingam. It is one of the revered Pancha Bhoota Sthalas, where each element of creation is worshipped as Lord Shiva Himself.
Here, Shiva is worshipped as Jambukeswarar and Parvati as Akhilandeshwari — making this temple not only elemental but also one of Shiva-Shakti balance.
💧 Element: Water (Apas)
Water is the essence of purification, adaptability, flow, emotion, and compassion. The Appu Lingam (Water Lingam) here is constantly surrounded by a natural spring, which keeps the sanctum subtly wet — even during the dry season.
🛕 Temple Highlights
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | Thiruvanaikaval, Trichy, Tamil Nadu |
| 🕉️ Deity | Jambukeswarar (Shiva – Water Lingam) |
| 🌸 Consort | Akhilandeshwari (Parvati) |
| 🌊 Bhoota | Apas (Water) |
| 🧱 Lingam Type | Appu Lingam – constantly moistened by natural spring |
| 🧘 Energy Type | Feminine (Shakti) during the day, Shiva in night |
| 🏛️ Architectural Period | Chola Dynasty (2nd century CE) |
| 🌺 Famous For | Water spring under the sanctum, midday Devi-worship of Shiva by priest in saree |
📖 Sacred Legend
Once, Goddess Parvati incurred a curse and was sent to Earth to perform penance. She created a Lingam out of water from the Cauvery river, and worshipped it beneath a jambu (jamun/naaval) tree. Hence, the Lord is called Jambukeswarar, and the place came to be known as Jambu-Kshetra.
She stood facing East in deep devotion. Pleased, Shiva appeared and taught her Shiva Jnana (divine wisdom). The entire temple is a symbolic school of spiritual learning — where Shakti learns from Shiva.
🌊 Apas Lingam – Ever Flowing Spring
The most miraculous feature is that the sanctum of Lord Shiva always remains wet, as a natural underground water source springs just beneath the Lingam. Despite pumping or draining, the water reappears eternally, signifying the infinite nature of Apas (water) and Shiva’s compassion.
No abhisheka is needed — Mother Nature does it eternally.
🛕 Architectural Grandeur
This is a classic example of Chola and post-Chola architecture, with added Vijayanagara and Nayaka touches:
- 🌉 Massive compound walls (800+ meters long and 2.5 meters thick), resembling Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple.
- 🛕 Five prakaras (corridors) representing five koshas (layers of self).
- 🌳 Ancient jambu tree is still worshipped in the temple.
- 🔔 Beautiful shrines, sculptures, mandapams, and towering gopurams.
🧘 Unique Midday Ritual – Devi Worships Shiva
In a rare daily ritual, the temple priest dresses as a woman (in saree) during Uchikala Puja (midday worship) to symbolically represent Goddess Parvati herself offering worship to Jambukeswarar.
This symbolic act reinforces the Shiva-Shakti harmony, where the devotee sees the Divine as both worshipped and worshipper.
🌺 Akhilandeshwari Shrine
Located inside the complex, Akhilandeshwari Devi is one of the most powerful aspects of Parvati. Originally very fierce (Ugra Devata), Adi Shankaracharya installed Sri Chakra in her sanctum to balance her energies and make her benevolent (Saumya Roopa).
She is the universal mother — ‘Akhila-anda-Ishwari’ — the ruler of the entire cosmos.
🌸 Major Festivals
| Festival | Description |
|---|---|
| 🪔 Panguni Brahmotsavam | 10-day festival with car procession, marriage rituals of Shiva and Parvati |
| 🌕 Aadi Pooram | Celebrated grandly for Akhilandeshwari |
| 🌓 Mahashivaratri | All-night vigil, Rudrabhishekam, and deep meditation |
| 🕯️ Navaratri | Powerful Devi festival with Sri Chakra Puja and alankaram |
📿 Benefits of Worship
- Cleansing of past karmas and emotional pain
- Ideal for seeking knowledge, peace, and grace
- Resolves problems in marriage, partnerships, and feminine health
- Associated with removal of negative water-related doshas (like water retention, kidney issues)
📜 Scriptural Echo
अप्सु अन्तः शिवो देवः, जम्बूस्थले सदा स्थितः।
apsu antaḥ śivo devaḥ, jambū-sthale sadā sthitaḥ“In the waters, the Divine Shiva eternally resides at Jambukeswara.”
This verse echoes that Jambukeswarar is the inner Shiva found in the emotional waters of the heart.
📍 How to Visit
- Nearest City: Trichy (7 km)
- By Train: Trichy Junction, then local auto/taxi
- By Air: Trichy International Airport
- Ideal Visit Time: Shivaratri, Panguni, or during cool season (Nov–Feb)
🙏 Final Reflection
A visit to Jambukeswarar Temple is like walking into a sacred river of consciousness. The natural spring, the Devi’s presence, and the sanctified rituals merge together to wash away lifetimes of inner unrest.
To sit in silence before the Apas Lingam, where even air feels fluid, is to realize the Shiva within the self.
🔚 Closing Mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय आपो लिंगाय नमः।
Om Namah Shivaya Apo Lingaya Namah
Salutations to Lord Shiva as the Water Lingam.