SHIVA - THE COSMIC DANCER

JAMBUKESHWAR TEMPLE - THIRUVANAIKAVAL  Jambukeswarar Temple is a famous Shiva temple in Thiruvanaikaval near Trichy. The temple was built by Kocengannan (Kochenga Chola),one of the Early Chola, around 1,800 years ago. Thiruvanaikal is one of the five major Panchabhoota Sthalams (5 Elements of creation) representing the element of Water. The sanctum of Jambukeswara has an underground water spring & it is always wet. Parvathi (cursed by shiva) in the form of Akilandeswari found Jambu forest  in Thiruvanaikoil to conduct her penance. She made a Lingam (Appu Lingam) out of water of river Cauvery (Ponni) under the Jambul or Jambu tree (Eugenia Jambolana, the rose-apple tree) and commenced her worship. Pleased with her devotion Siva taught her Siva Gnana. 'Malyavan' and 'Pushpadanta'. The Siva Ganas always quarreled with each other. 'Malyavan' cursed 'Pushpadanta' to become an elephant and the latter cursed the former to become a spider. The elephant and t

 ERUMBEESHWARAR TEMPLE - TIRUVERUMBUR Erumbeeswarar Temple  in Tiruverumbur,(13 KM’s from Trichy  junction) is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. It is built on top of a small hillock of 60 FT, The access is through a few number of steps with intermittent resting places in between. Two Prahrams, the two tiered Rajagopuram, including the sanctum is on top of the hill, while the large temple tank ( Teppa Kolam) and a hall (Mandapam) are situated at the foot of the hill. Another mandapam on top of the hill adjascent to the temple is in ruins. The Shivalingam (East facing) is tilted to its left and the surface of the lingam is rough making it easier for the Ants to climb up and worship the lord.The gurukkal told me that the back side of the lingam is bent forward. The name of the lord Erumbeeswarar ( Erumbu = Ants) ( Eswarar = Lord) aptly defines the legend attached to it. Lord Indra & the Devas took the form of ants in order to avoid the persecution of the Asura Tharakasuran. On lord Bramha

Brahmapureeswarar Temple – Thirupattur - Trichy   The  Brahmapureeswarar Temple  is located in Thirupattur in  Manachanallur Taluka 33 KMs away from the Trichy. The temple has mention in scriptures written in the 8th century & is older than the Brihadeeshwa Temple in Tanjore. The temple has seen generations of  Pallavas, pandyas,Cholas taking care of its maintenance.   Lord Shiva has advised Lord Bramha to bless & change the fate of Worshippers who   seek the blessings of Lord Bramha at this temple.     Overwhelming pride as the Creator of the Universe, Lord Brahma felt that He was omnipotent than Lord Shiva This sense of pride provoked Lord Shiva, who Cut off Bramha"s Fifth Head, and cursed Him to lose His power of creation.   To propitiate, Lord Shiva , Brahma visited this temple and installed 12 Shiva Lingams & worshipped the Lord here for exoneration. Moved by Lord Brahma's prayers, Lord Shiva, on the appeal of his consort Bramha Sampath Gowri

PANCHAVARNEESHWARAR TEMPLE – WORAIYUR – TRICHIRAPALLI DISTRICT - TAMILNADU Uraiyur or Tirumukkeeswaram, was one of the oldest capitals of the early Chola kings (3020 BC to 245 CE) as noted by the Greek traveler Ptolomy in the 2 nd  CE. The 7th century Shaiva canonical work  Tevaram  by Tirugnanasambandar mentions the place as "Tirumukeechwaram”.  Uraiyur   is an area of  Tiruchirapalli  in  Tamilnadu , sometimes spelt as   Urayur , this location is also known as   Thirukkozhi ,   Nikalaapuri ,   Uranthai , and   Kozhiyur .  It has a history dating back to before 200 BCE There is definite mention of the Cholas, and their capital in Ashokan inscriptions in   Orissa  pushing back the antiquity of the Cholas as well as Uraiyur to 272–232 BCE, which was the period of   Ashoka  (ca. 304–232 BCE) who was ruler of the  Maurya Dynasty  of   Patliputra   (modern   Patna ). Inscriptions and rock edicts of Ashoka and the   Satavahana   describe Urayur as "the citadel and