The Jambukeswara Temple
Tiruvannaikaval / Trichy, Tamil Nadu

 

 

Jala - water


In the Jambukeswara Temple
Lord Shiva takes the form of Jala - water
- one of the five elements, everything in nature comprises of
according to Hindu philosophy.

The The Jambukeswara Temple dates back to the mid-17th century. Legend says that the linga was created by Shiva´s consort Parvati, and in hommage to her, the priests wears a sari when performing the puja.
Non-indus can view the outher shrines in the complex, but not the main sanctum.

See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jambukeswarar_Temple_Thiruvanaikaval

 


The Jambukeswara temple seen from the street

The Five elemental Shiva Temples
 in South-East India

Abroad it is less known to the public that 5 magnificent Shiva temples dedicated to the 5 natural elements: ether (Akasha), air (Vayu), fire (Thejo), water (Jala) & earth (Pridhvi), is situated in the eastern part of South India:
The southernmost temple in Tiruvannaikaival, near Tiruchirapalli is apx. 350 km from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. From south going north the other Panch Bhoota Sthalams can be found in: Chidambaram, Tiruvannamalai, Kanchipuram and barely 100km north-west of Chennai in Andhra Pradesh the Sri Kalahasti Temple is situated.


The five natural elements - the "Pancha Bhootas" is a central and most important concept in Indian philosophy and tradition. In Hindu faith it is beleived that these five essential elements created man and the universe.
 
Lord Shiva, one of the three main Gods in the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, is represented in these temples as the embodiment of these five elements.
 

In the Ekambareswara Temple the Shiva Linga is made of earth.
In Jambukeswara Temple Lord Shiva takes the form of water and the Linga here is immersed in water.
In the Arunachaleswara Temple Shiva takes form as fire.
In the Kaahateeswara Temple Shiva is representing wind or air.
Last, but not least in the Nataraja Temple Lord Shiva takes the form of ether, the most sacred of the five elements.

The Vedic rituals performed in the numerous Hindu temples all over India has been worshipping the Gods using the natural elements in every ritual performed since time immemorial.

Acess for foreigners
These days it is difficult to enter into the Sanctum Sanctorum to see the Shiva Lingam and thereby get the darshan of Lord Shiva. The atmosphere in these magnificent temples is soothing to the heart and just visiting the temple compound itself is a divine experience.  
No photos exists of the Shiva idols inside, only paintings are allowed.

The 5 Shiva temples are as follows:

Sri Ekambeswara Swamy Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - representing the earth element
Sri Jambukareswara Swamy Temple, Thiruvanaikaival, Tamil Nadu - representing the water element
Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu - representing the fire element
Sri Kalahasteeswara Swamy Temple, Sri Kalahasti, Tamil Nadu - representing the wind element
Sri Nataraja Swamy Temple, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu - representing the ether (Akasha) element

 

The  Jambukeswara Temple


 

 

The temple elephant is getting ready
for the dialy walk in
the temple compound

 


 

 

 

 


Finish!
 

 

A walk in the temple compound

 

 

And what she can do ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


From scared little she elepant trained for only eight months
to the pride of the Jambukeswara temple!

 

 

Other pages on the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams in India on this website:

Sri Ekambeswara Swamy Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - representing the earth element
Sri Arunachaleswara Swamy Temple, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu - representing the fire element
Sri Kalahasteeswara Swamy Temple, Sri Kalahasti, Tamil Nadu - representing the wind element
Sri Nataraja Swamy Temple, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu - representing the ether (Akasha) element

 

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