Roads Less Travelled

The Arulmigu Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari Temple in Srirangam, South India, has a unique legend involving a spider and elephant that both worshipped Lord Shiva but were at constant feud. Cursed into animal forms, their conflict led to their deaths but their devotion also brought them relief from reincarnation. The spider was reborn as a king, Kochchenkannan, who built numerous temples in the Maadakoil architectural style, designed to prevent elephants from entering, thus taking revenge on his old rival.