Sri Akilandeshwari Samedha Jambukeshwarar Swamy Thiruvanaikaval

Thaadanga Pradhishtaa / Adhi Shankara

Once Goddess Akilandeswari was fierce like 'Ugra Devatha'. Sri Adhi Shankara transferred her ferocity into 'Thadangas'(ear rings) and the adorned her with the 'Thadangas'. He also installed 'Prasanna Vinayaga' (Lord Ganesh), opposite to her shrine so that She might look on with a beneficent eye. The Thadanga Pratishtha is done even today (once in few years) by the Sankaracharyars (successors of Adhi Shankara) of the Kanchi Kamakoti Pitham. The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is also running a 'Vedha Padasala' (religious school where the Vedas are taught) on the North Car street.

Sage Jambu

Sage by name 'Jambu Munivar' (munivar – sage). He once got a rare and sacred 'Venn Naaval' fruit and he offered that fruit to Lord Siva. The Lord after eating the fruit spitted the seed. Jambu Munivar took and swallowed the seed, as it is sacred as the seed came from the Lord’s mouth. Immediately a 'Naaval' tree began to grow in the Saint's head. The Saint prayed to Lord Siva that He should take his abode under that tree. Lord accepted and asked him to continue his penance in the forest on the banks of river Cauvery and said that he will one day come there and abode under that tree.

After many years Devi Akilandeswari worshiped Lord Shiva under that tree during her penance. Thus as he took adobe under the tree on Jambu Munivar he was called as 'Jambukeshwara' and the place is called as 'Jambukeshwaram'. Also thus the 'Venn Naaval' became the 'Sthala Vriksham' (Temple’s Sacred tree). The Shiva Lingam is placed under the Venn naaval tree in this temple. Even today you can see that Venn Naaval tree at the temple, which is said to be many hundred years old.

Kotchengatchozha Nayanar:

A king in Chola dynasty whose past life is Spider (associated with Jambukeshwar temple). Born as a king he designed and built elevated temples (maada kovil). Due to the fear of elephant from his pervious birth which he carried in his mind, he built around 70 Madakovil in Tamilnadu. These temples are built at a higher elevation with steep steps and the sanctum sanctorum is very narrow and sometimes steep steps intentionally to keep the elephants away. These 70 temples are still vibrant and active worship in Tamilandu.

At the site of his previous birth legend site, he built this magnificent Jambukeshwar temple around the sacred Jambu tree. You can find this story of this legend in the west wall of sanctum sanctorum.

Poet Kalamegam

Kalamegam works as a cook and care taker in temple kitchen (Thirumadapalli) in the Srirangam temple, later moved to Jambukeshwarar temple due to a rival created for his scared ash smeared over his forehead. One fine day Amma Akiladeshwari came as a women chewing betel leaves (thambulam). She asked a Brahmin who prayed Amma to bless him to became a poet, to open his mouth for her betel leaves. But the Brahamin got angry, so Amma moved to devotee Varadhan, who is taking a nap in the temple. She asked him to open his mouth for her betel leaves. He opened his mouth and instantly he poured Tamil poems upon Amma Akilandeshwari. Later people called him Kalamegam for his poetic skill. So devotees offer betel leaves to Akilandeshwar to become scholars.

In Sanatana Dharma saliva is called as uchchhishta, which is used instantly transfer the energy and knowledge into the devotees.

Vibuthi Chittar

Lord Shiva himself came in the form of Vibuthi Siddhar completes the fifth prakaram of this temple, when a Chola king has to encounter a invasion for his kingdom. Hence, fifth prakara is named Vibhuti Prakara and the walls around as Tiruneetran Tirumadhil (Sacred ash walls). There is a shrine for Vibhuti Chitthar on the banks of Brahmma Theertha.