PANCHA BHOOTA STHALAMS

The 5 SHIVA TEMPLES

Each of which represent one of the 5 elements of nature. 

(Elaborate Thread)

Without the permission of lord Shiva, even a blade of grass couldn’t sway to the wind. He is worshipped as the presiding deity of the 5 elements of nature, and is called "Bhoota pati" or "Bhoota nath".(1)

Na | Ma | Shi | Va | Ya
These 5 syllables indicate the 5 elements (Bhoota in Sanskrit) that is Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Sky.(2)

The 5 elements are the building blocks of everything in creation, including the human body, and lord Shiva is the upholder of these 5 elements.(3)

EARTH ELEMENT- EKAMBARESHWAR TEMPLE, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
In the Ekambareshwar temple, lord Shiva is represented by a lingam made out of sand to depict the Earth element.(4)

This is also known as Prithvi Lingam. Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Ekambaranathar or Ekambareshwar.(5)

To prevent the sand made Shiva lingam from deteriorating, the abhishekam is done with jasmine oil which is of low density.(6)

The temple is spread over 23 acres. It has one of the tallest gopurams(gateway tower) in south India, at 190 feet.(7)

In existence since 600 AD, the Ekambareshwarar temple is one of the most ancient temples in India.(8)

WATER ELEMENT- JAMBUKESHWARAR TEMPLE, Thiruvanaikaval, Trichy, Tamil Nadu.
The Jambukeshwarar temple in Trichy depicts the water element. Here, lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of "Appu lingam" (water lingam).(9)

In the shrine of the temple, a stream of water flows under the lingam. This engulfs the lingam with water, embodying the water element.(10)

The temple was built by Kochchenganan Chola. It is spread over 18 acres. There are inscriptions on the walls of the temple from the Chola period.(11)

The "Uchi Kala" puja, which is conducted every afternoon is quite famous.(12)

FIRE ELEMENT- ARUNACHALESWARAR TEMPLE, Annamalai Hills, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil NADU.
The Arunachaleswarar Temple depicts the fire element bestowed by Shiva and is represented by the "Agni lingam".(13)

It is the largest temple in the world dedicated to worship of lord Shiva.
The temple has 4 gopurams, one on each side. The highest of these is called Rajagopuram, which is 217 feet in height and is the 3rd largest in India.(14)

AIR ELEMENT- KALAHASTHEESHWARA TEMPLE, Srikalahasti, Andra Pradesh
Located on the banks of the Swarnamukhi river, the Kalahastheeshwara temple depicts the air element.(15)

Lord Shiva is worshipped at this temple in the form of "Vayu lingam", representing the wind.(16)

Srikalahasti is known as the "Kailash of the South". Srikalahasti gets its name from Sri(spider), Kala(snake) and Hasti(elephant). These creatures had pleased Shiva with their devotion.(17)

The initial structure of the temple was constructed in 5th century. The construction continued for centuries thereafter.The main Gopuram is 120 feet high and was built in 1516 AD by the Vijaynagar king Krishnadevaraya.(18)

The temple is famous for its Rahu Ketu puja. It is believed that the bad effects manifesting due to the positioning and movements of the planets Rahu and Ketu can be warded off when this particular puja is performed.(19)

SKY ELEMENT- THILLAI NATARAJA TEMPLE, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
The Thillai Nataraja temple in Chidambaram worships the sky element. Lord Shiva is worshipped in his formless form in this temple.(20)

The temple expands over a space of 40 acres. The word “Chidambaram” is derived from the word “Chit”, which means consciousness, and “Ambaram”, which means the sky.(21)

It refers to the “Sky of Consciousness”, which is the ultimate aim of human life.(22)