Pancha Bhoota Sthalams – The 5 Shiva Temples
All You Needed to Know and More about Lord Shiva’s Five Primary Manifestations on Earth
Lord Shiva is worshipped for many reasons all over India. However, in South India, He is worshipped as the presiding deity of the five elements of Nature, and is called Bhootapati or Bhootnath.
Na | Ma | Shi | Va | Ya – these five syllables indicate the five elements (known as Bhoota in Sanskrit) – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. The five elements are the building blocks of everything in Creation, including the human body, and Lord Shiva is the upholder of the five elements.
There is an ancient saying in India – Without the permission of Lord Shiva, even a blade of grass couldn’t sway to the wind. Honouring this aspect of Lord Shiva (as the upholder of the five elements) are the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams – the five Shiva temples, each of which represent one of the five elements of Nature. All of these temples are located in the Southern part of India and each temple has a unique story to tell with a distinct spiritual essence.
Here is a small attempt to take you on an imaginary tour of the five temples, till you get the opportunity to visit them life size.
Earth Element | Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
In the Ekambareshwarar temple, Lord Shiva is represented by a Lingam made out of sand to depict the Earth element. This is also known as Prithvi Lingam. Here, Lord Shiva is fondly worshipped as Ekambaranathar and Ekambareshwar. Ekambareshwarar means Lord of the Mango Tree and there is a legend regarding the origin of the temple.
Once upon a time, Goddess Parvathi was in deep penance under a mango tree. In order to test her devotion, Lord Shiva sent the river Ganga to disrupt her penance and test her devotion. Goddess Parvathi then prayed to Ganga not to harm her as they were sisters. Ganga then did not disturb her penance. Goddess Parvathi made a Shiva Lingam from the sand near the Mango Tree in remembrance of the Lord, and consecrated it. Even today, to prevent the sand-made Shiva Lingam from deteriorating, the Abhishekam is done with jasmine oil (as it is a low-density fluid).
Essence of the Story
One does not need special idols or sculptures to enshrine God, but just a fistful of sand with all of one’s devotion.
5 Facts about the Ekambareshwarar Temple
- The temple is the tenth largest temple in India, spread over 23 acres.
- It has one of the tallest Gopurams (monumental ornate gateway tower) in South India, at 190 feet.
- Having been in existence since at least 600 AD, the Ekambareshwarar temple is one of the most ancient temples in India.
- There is a mango tree inside the temple that is said to be more than 3000 years old.
- Many kings have contributed to the architecture of the temple.
Know more about Pancha-bhoota Temples
Pancha Bhoota temples are:
Air Element | Srikalahasti, Andra Pradesh - Kalahastheeshwara Temple
Earth Element | Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - Ekambareshwarar Temple
Water Element | Thiruvanaikaval, Trichy, Tamil Nadu - Jambukeshwarar Temple
Fire Element | Annamalai Hills, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu - Arunachaleshwarar Temple
Ether Element | Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu - Thillai Nataraja Temple
The Kalahastheeshwara Temple depicts the Vayu (Air) element. It is on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River. Lord Shiva is worshipped at this temple in the form of Vayu Lingam, representing the wind. Lord Shiva is said to have manifested as a Vayu Lingam. Vayu Deva—the God of Wind—prayed for a boon to be present in all living creatures across the Universe, like the Almighty himself. Lord Shiva then manifested himself as a white Lingam, also called Karpoora Linga. Even today, the lingam is white.
The Chidambara Rahasya depicts the priest unveiling the curtain to a space within the inner sanctum of the temple. It symbolizes the opening of the curtain of ignorance to attain the ultimate bliss. It is the only temple among the Panch Bhoota Sthalam where Lord Shiva is represented by an anthropomorphic idol rather than the lingam. The temple also worships Lord Shiva in the form of a Lingam made out of crystal and in his formless state (represented by an empty room).
The Cholas built the Thillai Nataraja Temple in the 10th century. The Gopuram of the temple carries a gold-plated roof by the Chola King Parantaka.
Chidambaram or Temple city is Nature at its best. It is worth visiting the Thillai Nataraja temple for its dravidian culture and brilliant architecture. It is one of the most prominent pilgrimage destinations.
There are many Lord Shiva temples in India. Some of them are mentioned here:
There are 12 Jyotirlinga Temples of Lord Shiva.
The Pancha Bhoota Sthalams – the five Shiva temples, each of which represents one of the five elements of Nature.
The Pancharama Kshetras (or the Pancharamas) are five ancient Hindu temples of Lord Shiva situated in Andhra Pradesh.
The five temples in Tamil Nadu. Shani Parihara Temples
Kashiwar Jiu Temple
Somnath Temple, Veraval, Gujarat
The 12 Jyotirlinga temples are the most powerful temples of Lord Shiva.
Arunachalam temple is the largest temple in the world dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva.
The temple is said to be the eighth largest temple in India.
Every full moon, thousands of pilgrims perform the Girivalam. It is a form of worship done by the circumambulation of the Arunachala hill. It is a 14-km long walk.
The temple has four Gopurams, one on each side. The highest of these is called Rajagopuram. It is 217 feet in height and is the third-largest in India.
Thiruvannamalai temple is 1100 years old. The temple has more than 1000 statues and 450 stone inscriptions. Numerous idols, bronze statues, paintings, 1000 pillar mahal and towering gopurams are the distinctive features of the temple. The east-gopuram built by King Krishnadevarayar has a height of 217 ft and is the second tallest gopuram in Tamilnadu.
Arunachalam temple or Tiruvannamalai temple can be visited best from October to March. Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated in the temple. One should see at least once in his life. Girivalam is also easily done (about a 14 km walk) as the climate is conducive. Visitors are allowed for darshan after registering their details on the temple's website. Check the current announcement by the district administration on Girivalam in the temple.
The specialty of Kalahasti Temple is:
The priests never touch the Vayu Lingam of the Kalahasthishwara temple with their hands. The temple is famous for its Rahu-Kethu poojas. The ill effects manifesting due to the positioning and movements of the planets Rahu and Kethu can be warded-off when a particular pooja is performed.
One can visit both Tirumala and Kalahasti temples. Traditionally, people visit Tirumala first and then Kalahasti if they have performed Rahu-Ketu pooja.
Kalahasti temple is visited by the people who wish to perform a pooja to ward off the ill effects manifested due to the planets Rahu and Kethu. Hindus also perform the last rituals for peaceful salvation.