Gajāraṇyamāhātmya: A Study of the Village Name Tiruvānaikkā and its Relevance to the Jambukeśvara Temple

This presentation is based on a study that examines the sthālamāhātmyas of Srirangam and Tiruvanaikkovil—two geographically proximate and spiritually significant sites— highlighting their literary and theological commonalities. Although not formally part of the Purāṇas, these texts often stem from brief mentions within them, later expanded by poets into elaborate Sanskrit or regional compositions using established literary conventions. The primary purpose of sthālamāhātmyas is to disseminate dharma and promote devotion by celebrating the spiritual glory of sacred sites and reinforcing the religious identity of local communities.

His paper explores how these narratives function within the broader Sanskrit literary tradition while shaping and reflecting regional religious culture. A comparative analysis of the Gajāraṇyamāhātmya (GajM) and two Tamil adaptations reveals interpretive variations and thematic shifts, illustrating how regional retellings localize panIndian myths within specific devotional contexts. Through this examination, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of māhātmyas as dynamic texts bridging classical Sanskrit and vernacular religious expression.​

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