Yaa devi sarva boodeshu jalaa roopena samsthitha |
Namasthasyei Namasthasyei Namasthasyei namo namaha ||
Akilandeswari - the re-incarnation of Parvathi devi has
her abode in Gaja-aranya-kshetra -
the name in classical literature. This place is popularly known as 'Thiruvanaikaval.
The Devi's consort siva is here as Jambukeswarar.
This peetham is called Varahi Peetham.
Akilandeswari, the Mother of the Universe, is said to have worshipped
the Lord in this temple. Symbolically the priest of this temple
performs the noon pooja dressed like a lady .
According to the legend the kneecap from the dismembered burnt body
of Dakshayani fell at this place and so became one of the
51 sacred Devi-sthals of India.
(refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story).
There are plenty of elephants in this place. Hence it is called Gaja-aranya-kshetram. (' Gajam ' means elephant, ' aaranya ' is forest and ' kshetra ' is sanctuary).
This place is in Tamil nadu. Another tamil name is Thiru-aanai-kaval. (' Thiru ' means beautiful ' aanai ' is elephant 'kaaval ' again is sanctuary in tamil language).
The universe consists of five elements i.e.1.vayu (Air) 2.appu (Water) 3.Boomi (earth) 4.Theju (space) 5.Agni (fire). This concept is very well known.
The linga here is Appu or water linga among the five lingas dedicated to the five elements 'Pancha Bootha Kshetras'. There is perennial oozing of water from underneath the Shivalinga in the Sanctum Sanctorum which is emptied at regular intervals.
Another legend about this place:
There was a lingam under a black berry tree. Lord Shiva is said to have done penance sitting under the tree to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu in order to get rid of the sin of Brahma-hatya (killing of a repository of Vedas).
An elephant was worshipping the lingam everyday and every day the elephant saw a spider's web woven there. It used to clear the cobwebs with water. One day the spider got very angry and went into the elephant's trunk and bit so hard that the elephant died.The elephant went to kailash as it had been worshipping the lingam every day. The spider was reborn as the Chola king of Thanjavoor.
It is said Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavadpada consecrated the Thatangam (earrings) the Sri Chakra, now adorning the ears of the Devi. He also installed a Ganapathy Vigraha (idol) in front of Sri Akilandeswari and this contained her 'Ugra kalai' - ' ferocious aspect '.
All festivals are celebrated like in all other devi temples.
'Pancha-prakaara vizhza' is special to this place. During this festival Shiva is dressed like a lady and Devi like a male. The reason for this is that Brahma created a girl and fell in love with the girl that he himself created. Because of that he could not do his duty of creation properly. Soon he realized his mistake and did penance to devi in expiation.
Lord Shiva and devi appeared before him. But they felt that Brahma in his romantic mood would fall in love with Devi. So Shiva was dressed like a woman and Devi was dressed in male attire. Brahma felt ashamed by this action of Shiva and Devi and apologised for his misdeed.This is commemorated in this annual festival.
There are plenty of elephants in this place. Hence it is called Gaja-aranya-kshetram. (' Gajam ' means elephant, ' aaranya ' is forest and ' kshetra ' is sanctuary).
This place is in Tamil nadu. Another tamil name is Thiru-aanai-kaval. (' Thiru ' means beautiful ' aanai ' is elephant 'kaaval ' again is sanctuary in tamil language).
The universe consists of five elements i.e.1.vayu (Air) 2.appu (Water) 3.Boomi (earth) 4.Theju (space) 5.Agni (fire). This concept is very well known.
The linga here is Appu or water linga among the five lingas dedicated to the five elements 'Pancha Bootha Kshetras'. There is perennial oozing of water from underneath the Shivalinga in the Sanctum Sanctorum which is emptied at regular intervals.
Another legend about this place:
There was a lingam under a black berry tree. Lord Shiva is said to have done penance sitting under the tree to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu in order to get rid of the sin of Brahma-hatya (killing of a repository of Vedas).
An elephant was worshipping the lingam everyday and every day the elephant saw a spider's web woven there. It used to clear the cobwebs with water. One day the spider got very angry and went into the elephant's trunk and bit so hard that the elephant died.The elephant went to kailash as it had been worshipping the lingam every day. The spider was reborn as the Chola king of Thanjavoor.
It is said Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavadpada consecrated the Thatangam (earrings) the Sri Chakra, now adorning the ears of the Devi. He also installed a Ganapathy Vigraha (idol) in front of Sri Akilandeswari and this contained her 'Ugra kalai' - ' ferocious aspect '.
All festivals are celebrated like in all other devi temples.
'Pancha-prakaara vizhza' is special to this place. During this festival Shiva is dressed like a lady and Devi like a male. The reason for this is that Brahma created a girl and fell in love with the girl that he himself created. Because of that he could not do his duty of creation properly. Soon he realized his mistake and did penance to devi in expiation.
Lord Shiva and devi appeared before him. But they felt that Brahma in his romantic mood would fall in love with Devi. So Shiva was dressed like a woman and Devi was dressed in male attire. Brahma felt ashamed by this action of Shiva and Devi and apologised for his misdeed.This is commemorated in this annual festival.
Om Sakthi
Location:
Jambukeswaram popularly known as
Jambukeswaram popularly known as
Thiru-vanaikkaval is situated near
Srirangam
in Trichy District, TamilNadu.
in Trichy District, TamilNadu.
Trichy has an airport and
all means
of transport
are available
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