[Aaradhana M]

I found this very interesting information on Panchabhoota Shivasthalams ( Panchabhoota Lings Temples)

In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is regarded as the representation of the Supreme Being. He is known as the third element in the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti), the other two members being Lord Brahma – the creator and Lord Vishnu – the protector.
He controls the 5 elements of nature named as the Pancha Bhoota – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Pancha Bhoota Stalams In South India, five temples were built for each representing the manifestation of the five prime elements of nature. Known as Pancha Bhoota Stalam, these temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Five elements of nature, in these temples, are believed to be manifested in the form of five Lingams, the divinity of Lord Shiva. Each lingam of Shiva is known by the name of element represented by them. ‘Pancha’ indicates Five, ‘Bhoota’ means elements and ‘Stala’ means place. All these temples are located in South India with four of these temples in Tamil Nadu and one in present-day Andhra Pradesh.
These set of five temples are considered to be of great importance in south India. The temple for water is in Thiruvanaikaval, fire is in Thiruvannamalai , air is in Kalahasti , earth is in Kanchipuram and The temple for space/sky is in Chidambaram. Geographic specialty The five temples were built according to the yogic sciences, and are placed in a certain geographic alignment with each other, so that the entire region reverberated with the possibility they offered.

Three of the five Pancha Bhoota Stalam temples stand on a straight line exactly at 79 degree 41 minutes East longitude. Chidambaram Natrajana Temple, Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple, Srikalahasti Temples are aligned Exactly in a straight line Positions.

All 3 temples are constructed at least 1000 years ago. No satellite technology was available at that time but very accurate placements. Truly an engineering, astrological and geographical wonder. Of the other two temples, Thiruvanaikkaval is located at around 3 degrees to the south and exactly 1 degree to the west of the northern tip of this divine axis, while Thiruvannamalai is around midway (1.5 degree to the south and 0.5 degree to the west).

The five grand temples associated with the five basic elements are:
Earth – (Prithivi) – Kanchipuram – Ekambareswarar Temple (12.847604, 79.699798)
Water – (Neer) – Thiruvanaikaval – Jambukeswara Temple (10.853383, 78.705455)
Fire – (Agni) – Tiruvannamalai – Annamalaiyar Temple (12.231942, 79.067694)
Wind – (Vayu) – Chitoor – Srikalahasti Temple (13.749802, 79.698410)
Sky – (Akasha) – Chidambaram – Chidambaram Nataraja Temple (11.399596, 79.693559)

A flickering lamp in the SriKalahasti temple shows the play of wind, the water spring in the innermost sanctum of the Tiruvanaikka temple shows the temple’s relationship to the element water, the annual Kartikai Deepam festival at Tiruvannamalai where a giant lamp is lighted atop the Annamalai hill shows the Annamalaiyaar’s manifestation as fire.

The swayambhu lingam of sand at Kanchipuram signifies the deitie’s association with the earth while the formless space at Chidambaram shows the association of the Supreme being with formlessness or nothingness.

[Aman Singh]

Very interesting article and we must appreciate the knowledge our ancestors possessed. I have been to Ekambareswarar, Srikalahasti and Chidambaram temples and the energy one gets while visiting these temples is truly profound. Shivoham |

[Vinayak Iyer]

Excellent information, thanks for sharing. I have been to Ekambareshwarar and it’s a beautiful temple.

There is an interesting story about Ekambareswarar temple and the sacred mango tree. As per the legend, the goddess Parvati once playfully closed the eyes of Lord Shiva, and the entire universe went into darkness. Due to this blunder, Parvati had to take birth on the earth (as Kamakshi). Kamakshi came to Kanchipuram, made Shiv linga out of sand, and installed it under a mango tree and worshipped with the objective of getting married to Lord Shiva. The Vegavati river overflowed and threatened to engulf the Shiva Linga. Kamakshi, embraced the Linga and saved it from getting eroded. Lord Shiva appeared before Kamakshi and married her. The mango tree under which Kamakshi installed Shiv linga is believed to be still there in this temple complex, which is believed to be 3000 years to 3500 years old. This mango tree is the sthala vruksham of this temple. The mango tree is said to bear fruits of four different tastes in each season, representing four Vedas of Hinduism. You can find the small shrine with the idols of Kamakshi and Shiv linga under this sacred mango tree. Ekambareshwarar means “Lord of Mango Tree”.

[team]

@Aman Singh
I am totally agree with you. I like topic too.

[aminaraifi]

Nice

[Author]

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