Jambukeshwar Thiruvanaikaval

Jambukeshwar Thiruvanaikaval

Jambukeshwar Thiruvanaikaval is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas — five temples in South India where Shiva is worshipped as one of the five classical elements. Here he is appu (water). The Appu Liṅga is constantly half-submerged in spring water that emerges continuously from the sanctum floor. No mechanical mechanism has ever been found; the water sources from an unknown underground aquifer.

The temple sits on the island of Srirangam. The liṅga is perpetually surrounded by a shallow pool of clear spring water, said to be the urine of the elephant that worshipped Shiva here (giving the place its name — ānai + kāval = elephant's jungle). Every day the temple priests must pump out gallons of excess water that would otherwise flood the sanctum.