Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval, Trichy

Element

Water (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam)

Timings

6 am to 1 pm, 3 pm to 8.30 pm

Nearest airport

Tiruchirappalli, about 13 km

Nearest railway station

Tiruchirappalli Junction, about 10 km

Ideal time needed

3 to 4 hours

What to see

The sanctum is small and low, and the lingam stands over a spring that keeps it touched by water whatever the level of the nearby Cauvery. Beyond it, the temple spreads over five enclosures, with long pillared corridors and a large hall of around a thousand pillars. The symmetrical pillared passage leading towards the main shrine is a favourite with photographers.

• The water-fed sanctum of Jambukeswarar
• Shrine of Goddess Akilandeswari
• Five concentric enclosures and pillared corridors
• Thousand-pillared hall

Akilandeswari and her earrings

The goddess Akilandeswari has her own large shrine within the complex. Local tradition says she was once fierce in temper, and that Adi Shankara calmed her by offering a pair of large ear ornaments called thaatankam, which she still wears. Fridays are especially busy at her shrine.

Festivals

Panguni Brahmotsavam (March to April) and Aadi Pooram (July to August) are the major festivals. In Aadi and Thai, every Friday brings thousands of devotees to the goddess. During Navaratri the temple displays a kolu of decorated dolls for nine nights, ending on Vijayadasami. A full-moon walk around the outer street is also popular.

Timings and how to reach

Darshan is usually possible between 6 am and 1 pm, then again between 3 pm and 8.30 pm. Trichy airport is around 13 km away, and Tiruchirappalli Junction is about 10 km, with good train links across South India. Autos, taxis and town buses run to Thiruvanaikaval, and the Srirangam temple is only a short ride away. From Virudhachalam it is roughly a two-hour drive, and we can combine it with Srirangam and the Rockfort in a day.

Tips for your visit

Traditional dress is preferred. Men usually wear a dhoti or trousers and a shirt or angavastram; women wear a saree, churidar or salwar suit, ideally with a dupatta. The sanctum is cramped, so expect short queues even on quiet days. Allow three to four hours if you want to walk all the corridors.

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