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The Jambukeswara Temple
Tiruvannaikaval / Trichy, Tamil Nadu |
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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 |
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The Jambukeswara temple seen from the street
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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.
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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. |
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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 |
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The temple elephant is getting
ready
for the dialy walk in the
temple compound |
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Finish!
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A walk in the
temple compound |
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From scared little she elepant trained
for only eight months
to the pride of the Jambukeswara temple! |
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