The massive outer wall covering the fifth precinct, known as the
Vibudi Prakara, stretches over and is thick and over high. Legend maintains that the wall was built by Shiva himself, disguised as a laborer and working with the human laborers. The sanctum sanctorum is a square structure, found independently situated at the center of the innermost enclosure. There is a
vimana on the roof of the sanctum. The structure is open on three sides, with a shallow moat separating it from the circumambulatory path of the innermost enclosure. The sthala-vriksham, or holy tree here is the White
Jambuka (Tamil: வெண் நாவல் மரம்) (
Syzygium cumini), found growing along the south-eastern wall of the sanctum sanctorum. The trunk of the tree is protected by a walled structure. The western side of the sanctum, from where the deity is viewed, is continuous with a large closed hall, the Mukha Mantapa, containing four-pillars and housing a bronze idol of
Nandi. The Mukha Mantapa has a large, ornate western door gilded with silver that forms the principal entrance. There are two additional entrances to the Mukha Mantapa on the southern and North Eastern sides as well. A set of three steps descend to the level of the sanctum sanctorum from the Mukha Mantapa. The deity is viewed through a stone window that forms an integral part of the western face of the sanctum sanctorum. The window has nine viewing apertures, believed to represent the
Navagraha. There is a panel in bas-relief over the window depicting the sthala puranam: The jambuka tree growing out of the meditating sage Jambu's head on the extreme right; the linga of Jambukeswarar under the tree; a spider and an elephant worshiping the
linga along with the Goddess
Parvati who stands to the left of the linga. The sanctum sanctorum is divided into the Ardha Mantapam or Antaralam (whose western wall bears the window) and the
Garbha Griha where the deity of Jambukeswarar is housed. Entrance into the Sanctum is through a small door on the southern wall, about in height. The Ardha Mantapa is about X and contains an idol of Goddess Parvati on the right side of the door to the Garbha Griha. Devotees are admitted in groups of six into the Ardha Mantapa during sevas like Abhishekam or on payment of a small fee. The Garbha Griha is a wider structure compared to the Ardha Mantapa. At the center, the Brahma Sthana, is the self-manifested linga of Jambukeswarar. The upper conical part of the linga is of the color of copper, whereas the yoni-bhaga or the pedestal is of black granite. A brass ring is seen at the point of attachment of the linga to the pedestal. The height of the linga is about from the floor of the sanctum. The Garbha Griha and the Ardha Mantapa are unadorned from the inside, the only source of illumination within the sanctum being ghee lamps. A stream of water (a water spring from the Kaveri river) emerges from the linga, which is usually demonstrated as the soaking wet clothes in which it is draped. The water flow increases significantly during the Monsoon. The main deity of the temple is
Jambukeswara, representing the element water. Jambukeswara is depicted sitting under a
jambu tree, which grows over a small stream that engulfs the deity during the rainy season. The temple is also considered the abode of goddess
Akilandeswari, one of the forms of the goddess Parvati. The greatest of works related to this temple include Tiruvanaikaval and
Kilvelur Akshyalingaswamy temple.
Goddess Akilandeshwari's shrine The temples idols are installed opposite to each other - Such temples are known as
Upadesa Sthalams. As Akhilandeshwari (Parvati) was like a student and Jambukeswara (Shiva) like a
Guru (teacher) in this temple, there is no
Thiru Kalyanam (marriage) conducted in this temple for Shiva and Parvathi, unlike the other Shiva temples. The sanctum of the goddess Akilandeshwari and the sanctum of Prasanna
Vinayaka are in the shape of the
pranava manthra called "
Aum" in Tamil script. It is believed that the Amman in the temple was in deep anger hence during one of
Adi Shankara's visits he installed the Prasanna
Ganapathy idol right opposite to her sanctum and installed a pair of
Sri Chakra thaatankas (ear-rings) to reduce her anger. The 7-tiered
rajagopuram is also believed to have constructed by the Hoysala king. ==Religious significance==