The Nectar of Thiruppugazh

Jambukeswarar Temple at Thiruvanaikaval, a Suburb of Tiruchrirapalli, is on the northern bank of the river Kaveri at the Srirangam river island, being surrounded by the Kaveri and the Kollidam river, which splits itself here from the Kaveri. It was built by an early Chola King called Kochengat Cholan. According to the legend, Lord Shiva sent Goddess Parvati to perform ‘tapasya’ at the Jambu forest of Thiruvanaikaval, as He was offended by her mocking light heartedly his austerity. Parvati built a Shivalinga under the ‘venn naaval’ (white Jambu fruit) tree, with the water from River Ponni. After years of tapasya, Shiva appeared before Akilandeswari and gave her Shiva gnana (knowledge). Shiva stood facing west and gave Upadesa to Akilandeswari who stood facing east. Another legend says that two Shiva gana s, Malyavan and Pushpadanta, always fought with each other. Once, both of them cursed each other out of rage, as a result of which both descended onto earth, Malyavan as a spi...