How a curse across rebirths inspired an Architectural Style
The sacred island of Srirangam
Deep within the river-sculpted heart of Tamil Nadu, where the Cauvery and Kollidam embrace to form the sacred island of Srirangam, the air is thick with more than just incense—it is heavy with the echoes of ancient rivalries and divine destinies.
While the sprawling majesty of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple often commands the world’s gaze, those who look closer will find that this island is merely a portal into a much larger, interconnected tapestry of Indian folklore. It is a land where the lines between the animal kingdom, the mortal realm, and the heavens blur, serving as the starting point for a series of mystical tales that span across lifetimes and landscapes.
The Sri Ranganathaswamy temple is one of the largest temple complexes you will ever see. Spread over 150 acres with more than 50 temple complexes, this is as big as it gets.
To understand the soul of India’s spiritual heritage, one must venture beyond the towering gopurams and into the whispered legends of rebirth and retribution that bind these sacred sites together.
However, it is a smaller temple, slightly to the south-east and just a few kilometers away on the same river island, that has an interesting story about it.
This story is, of how a tussle between two ardent devotees, ends up in inspiring a temple architecture style. A legend that belongs to possibly the 3rd Century AD.
The Arulmigu Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari temple is tucked away almost out of sight, overshadowed by the imposing Ranganathaswamy temple. The legend that surrounds this temple and the folklore centred around it are as interesting as they can get. While there are many myths that connect to this temple and its beginnings, one of them really stands out among the innumerable tales that make India and its mythical heritage interesting.
The Arulmigu Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari temple is the originating point of a saga that plays out across rebirths.
The Spider King: The Beginning of a mystical tale
Two disciples of Lord Shiva were at constant loggerheads with each other, each trying to outdo the other in their worship of the lord. As the arguments and quarrels increased, they differed on their ways of worshipping the god. In one of the daily fights, in a fit of rage, they cursed each other. One cursed the other to live as an elephant, and in return, he was cursed to become a spider.
They came down to earth and started worshipping Lord Shiva again at Jambukeshwaram on the banks of the Cauvery. They found a Shiva lingam (the representation of Lord Shiva) and started to worship it in their own ways. The Spider would weave its web over the lingam to shield it from the falling leaves and other debris. It worked diligently to ensure that the Lord’s form was protected. The elephant, meanwhile, worshipped the same lingam and would, in its own way, get water from the river and spray it over to keep the Siva lingam clean. It was a battle of faith, effort, and dedication.
This daily cycle was infuriating to both the spider and the elephant, and it was only a matter of time before things escalated. A fight ensued, one to settle the score once and for all. In the battle, the spider entered the elephant’s trunk and bit him, and the elephant thrashed his trunk on the ground, and both lost their lives. Their loyalty to the Lord, however, pleased him, and he relieved them of their animal forms.
The myth takes a turn when the spider is reborn as a Chola King of the medieval period, Kochchenkannan (the one with red eyes). It is said he got red eyes because his mother, when expecting him, hung herself upside down to ensure a delay so that he was born at the most auspicious moment. Being a Shiva devotee he was, he built several temples dedicated to Lord Shiva during his reign.
Kochchenkannan: The Red-Eyed King
Almost all of the 78 temples he built were in a style of architecture referred to as the Maadakoil. “Maada” is in Tamil “an elevated level,” and “koil” is temple. The entire temple in this style is built elevated, with access only by steps on the side of the structure. In some cases, the main entrance is a small, rectangular one. This is where the story gets interesting.
Bhakti and its combativeness seem to have transcended time. The spider, in his life as a king, still remembered his enmity with the elephant, and the elevated steps and the narrow access door of these temples ensured that no elephant would be able to enter and offer his prayers.
The spider had his revenge…
King Kochchenkannan at the end of it, had the last word.
and Tamil Nadu a new architectural style….
Enjoyed this tale? > If you found the legend of the Spider King fascinating, continue your journey through our Mystical India Series. Discover the Mystical India Unveiled: The Enchanting Eagle Legend of Thirukazhukundram Temple of the Sacred Eagles of Thirukazhukundram, where two birds have traveled through time to offer their daily prayers for centuries.
Sudhir Bhattathiripad
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Have been to this temple a few times but never had this insightful background told by anyone yet.
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