Thiruannamalai Shiva Temple

The temple of Lord Shiva (Annamalaiyar) is located at Thiruannamalai in Tamilnadu. This is one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthala and represents the element Fire. It is also one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars in their sacred hymns. At this place the Shiva linga is the mountain itself. This place is also known as Shonachalam, Shonagiri and Arunachal. As stated, mountain forms the linga and the surrounding broad portion is the temple. It is stated in puran that the Lord exists at this place in the form of Jyoti (Flame).

Mulavar: Annamalaiyar
Devi: Parvati, Unnamali amman (Devi), Apitha Kuchambal
Sacred teertha: Agni teertha
Important festival: Lamp festival in the Tamil month of Karthik known as Karthigai dipam.
Other deities in the shrine: Nandi, Surya.

Behind the walls of sanctum, idol of Venugopalaswami (Vishnu or Lord Krishna) is found. The idols of Somaskandha, Durga, Chandikeshwar, Gajalaxmi, Arumagaswami (Sankmukha), Dakshinamurthi and Lingotbhavar are found around this sanctum. The shrine of Parvati (Unnamali amman) is depicted in the 2nd enclosure. To the North of flag staff (Kodimaram) we find Sambandha Vinayaka. There is a 1000 pillar hall and to its South, shrine of Subramanya is located. There is an underground lingam known as Patal-lingam where Raman Maharshi did penance.

The tantrik chakras personified in Shiva temples are known as Aadhar sthala. The Annamalaiyar temple represents Manipurag shalam and is associated with Manipurag chakra. Following legends are associated with this place according to Puran.

Once Brahma and Vishnu had an argument regarding their superiority. They approached Lord Shiva to settle the dispute. Shiva appeared as a column of Fire and asked them to find top and bottom of the flame. Vishnu became a boar (Varaha) and sought to find the bottom while Brahma became a swan and searched for the top. With the help of the Ketaki flower, Brahma stated (lied) that he had seen the top whereas Vishnu conceded his defeat and he could not see the bottom. As punishment for lying, Bramha was cursed so that he could never be worshiped in any temple on the Earth.

In another reference in the puran, Parvati once closed the eyes of Lord Shiva in a playful manner in a garden in mount Kailash. Due to this the whole world came to stand still. As atonement for this act, She performed penance along with the other devotees of Shiva at this place. Lord Shiva appeared as a column of Fire at the top of Annamalai mountain and blessed Her. Hence Annamalai mountain (Red mountain) which lies behind Annamalai temple is sacred and is considered as a lingam.

Festivals:
There are 4 major festivals at this place and are known as Brahmotsav. Kartigai dipam (Light festival), Chaitra pornima, Tiruvoodal in the first week of Tamil month Thai (i.e. around Sankrant on January 15-16th). Nandi is decorated with fruits, vegetables and sweets. This day is celebrated in Tamilnadu as the festival of bullock (Mattu-pongal). 

Besides this every full moon day, 10s of 1000s of pilgrimage performed Girivallam i.e. circumvallate Arunachal hills. There are 8 small shrines of Lingam located along the Girivalam. Each one of them is associated with the 12 moon signs.

God	Raas	Direction
Indra	Vrishabh, Tula	East
Agni	Simha	South-east
Yama	Vrishchik	South
Nirutti	Mesha	South-west
Varuna	Makar, Kumbha	West
Vaayu	Karka	North-west
Kubera	Dhanush, Meen	North
Ishaan	Mithun, Kanya	North-east

The day on which Lord Shiva manifested first in the form of Linga i.e. column of Fire is celebrated as Mahashivaratri. In Maheshwar khand of Skandha puran, sage Vyasa has described the greatness of Arunachala. A quote from Raman Maharshi on the sand city of Arunachala is as follows –
“ Holi places such as Kashi, Varanasi and Hrishikesh are sacred as they are abodes of Lord Shiva. Whereas Arunachala is Lord Shiva Himself. Arunachala is a secret kshetra. It is the place that bestows Gyana. In that place Lord ever abides the hill of light named Arunachala. ”

According to Arunachala Mahima one will certainly attain liberation by seeing Chidambaram, by being born in Tiruvarur, by dying in Kashi and by merely thinking of Arunachala.

The great Saint Raman Maharshi meditated on the slopes on Annamalai hills. His ashram is located in the foothills of Annamalai hills. Saints like Sheshadri swamigal and Yogi Ramsurat Kumar have been associated with this place.

Courtesy: Following sites
1. https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
2. https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/
3. https://indianmandirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/agni-lingam-tiruvannamalai.html

ShriKalahasti Shiva temple

This Shiva temple is situated at Kalahasti in Chittur district of Andra Pradesh. This is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam representing Vaayu tatva. It is also one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars. This is about 40 km from Tirupati Balaji temple. This temple is also a Rahu-Ketu Parihar sthala where sarpadosha shanti is performed. The temple is about 2000 years old. The river Swarnamookhi flows nearby.

Mulavar: Shrikalhastiswarar
Devi: Parvati, Gyana Prasunambika

This is a swayambhu linga where Lord Shiva is worshiped as Vaayu linga. This is the only temple to remain open during Lunar and Solar eclipse.

According to Purans, Brahma worshiped at this place in all 4 yugas. During Mahabharat, Arjuna worshiped here. As per puran, Vaayu performed penance at this place for about 1000 years with a lingam. Pleased by his penance, Lord Shiva granted him 3 boons. As per Vaayu’s wish, the lingam is known as Karpur (Camphor) lingam and is worshiped by all including Munis, Devas, Kinnars, Asuras etc. Besides, there are other references also found in puran. Parvati was asked to assume the human body by Lord Shiva. To get rid of this curse, She was asked to perform penance at this place. Pleased by Her penance, Lord Shiva recreated Her with much more beauty than Her previous heavenly body. She was initiated with Panchakshari mantra and with other mantras by Lord Shiva. Hence Parvati is addressed as, Gyana Prasunambika.

Mayura, Chandra, Devendra were freed from their curses at this place by bathing in Swarnamookhi river and performing penance.

Shrikalahasti gets the name according to the puran as per the following legend. During puranik days, a spider (Sri), serpent (Kal) and elephant (Hasti) worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. The spider lived in the inner sanctum and worshiped the Lord by weaving a web over Lord Shiva. Due to breeze, the web was destroyed by altar fire. Spider getting angry tried to gulp the flame and died. Appreciating its devotion it was granted moksha by Lord Shiva. This act of spider as if it was realizing the self (flame) by gulping and endangering its life i.e. its ego gave it moksha.

A cobra worshiped at this place by offering gems and valuable jewels. After sometime, an elephant came to worship and sprayed the lingam with water brought in its trunk. It placed bilva leaves over the lingam by removing gems and jewels. This process was going on for sometime. At last one day, the cobra getting angry, bit the elephant by entering into its trunk. The elephant dashed its trunk against the wall and both of them died. In appreciation of their devotion, Lord Shiva granted them moksha. At the foot of the linga we can see, the images of a spider, a five headed snake and 2 elephant tusks. A staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, Kannappa, sacrificed his both eyes and tried to fix it on the lingam. He had found the lingam bleeding from the eyes during one of his worship. After this incident, he was given moksha in appreciation of his devotion.

A lamp burns inside the inner sanctum that constantly flickers despite the lack of air movement inside. The Vaayu linga can be seen in motion despite the doors being closed (sanctum has no windows). The Linga is a swayambhu linga and is white in color. The Linga is made of a white stone resembling the trunk of an elephant. 

There is shrine of Lord Vinayaka which is cut in a rock. It is placed below the ground level. The idols (images) of Vallabha Ganapati, Mahalaxmi Ganapati and Sahastra Linga are the rare ones found in this temple. There is a large shrine for Gyana Prasunambika. There are small shrines of Kashi-Vishwanath, Annapurni, Suryanarayan, Sadyog Ganapati and Lord Subramanyam. There are 2 sacred teerthas namely Surya Pushkarni and Chandra Pushkarni.

Festivals:
Mahashivaratri is the most important festival. Brahmotsavams are celebrated along with Shivaratri for 13 days. Karthigai deepam and Maasi festival (Feb-March) are other
noteworthy festivals.

Courtesy: Following sites
1. https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
2. https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/
3. https://temple-timings.blogspot.com/

Jambukeshwarar Temple At Thiruvanaikoil

This Shiva temple is located at Thiruvanaikoil (Jambukeshwaram) in Trichy district of Tamil Nadu. This is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthala representing the element water. It is a Padal Petra Sthalam i.e. one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars i.e. Shaiva saints. 

Moolavar (Main Deity): Jambukeshwarar
Utsava moorti: Chandrashekarar, Somaskandha
Devi (consort): Parvati (Akhilandeshwari)
Sthalavruksha (Sacred tree): Safed (white) jambhool fruit

The temple is about 1700 years old and the Shivalinga is the swayanbhu linga. Other deities in the temple are Maha-Saraswati without Veena behind Lord Shiva’s sanctum, Chandra with wives Kritika and Rohini, Panchamukha Vinayak, Lord Shani with his wife Jyeshtha Devi.

On the bank of Jamboo-teertha, there is a Kuber linga (worshiped by Lord Kubera). Abhishek is performed on a full moon day of June-July with the fruits, plantain, mango and jackfruit on the Kuber linga. It is stated in Sthala puran that Goddess Ambika performed penance in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August) at this place. Mother Parvati graces this place as Maha Lakshmi in the morning, as Parvati in the afternoon and as Saraswati in the evening. The sanctum of Jambookeshwar lingam has an underground water stream. In spite of pumping the water under the lingam, it gets filled again and again. 

Kshetra Puran:

A number of legends are associated with this place in kshetra puran.

When Lord Shiva was in deep meditation at Kailas, Parvati thought why he should seat in meditation when I am by his side. She teased him on this account. Due to this Lord Shiva got angry and cursed her to go to Bhulok as an atonement. She asked for forgiveness and he stated that he will give her dnyanopadesh in the Bhulok and will pardon her. Parvati reached bank of Kaveri and discovered a shiva linga in the waters. The place where she performed penance and installed the appu linga (shiva linga in water) is Thiruvanaikaval. Lord Shiva became her Guru and gave dnyanopadesh at this place which indicate that the Guru is necessary for obtaining dnyanopadesh. There was no need for Parvati to have a Guru as she was Adi Parashakti herself but to teach the world a necessity of Guru for dnyanopadesh she must have enacted this drama. In this temple we come across the scene where Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva and this is enacted by the Shivacharya (Shaiva priest) in this temple.  The water spring under the Shiva Linga is known as Hema Teertha (Pataal Ganga). The water from Hema Teertha is used for the Abhishek of Jambukeshwar linga. It is believed that the water from this spring was used by Parvati for worshiping Shiva Linga. At this place Parvati is depicted as an unmarried girl performing penance and as a student waiting to get upadesh from the Guru.

There were 2 quarrelsome Shiva ganas namely Malyavan and Pushpadanta. During one of their fights Malyavan cursed Pushpadanta to become an elephant and in turn Pushpadanta cursed Malyavan to be a spider on the earth. The elephant and the spider came to Jambookeshwar and continued the worship of Lord Shiva. The elephant collected water from Kaveri and did Abhishek. The spider spun a web over the Shivalinga to prevent the dry leaves falling on the lingam from the Jamboo tree. The elephant thinking the web to be the dust over the lingam, cleaned the lingam daily by pouring water. And in turn the spider spun the web everyday. Once getting angry the spider crawled into the trunk of the elephant and bit the elephant to death. In this process it also got killed. Lord Shiva, moved by their devotion, relieved them of the curse and gave moksha. As the elephant worshiped at this place, the place is known as Thiruaanaikaa (thiru means holy, aanai is elephant, kaa (kaadu) means forest). Later the name 'Thiruaanaikaa' became 'Thiruvanaikaval' and 'Thiruvanaikoil'. In the next birth, the spider was born as a King and built the Shiva sanctum so small that no elephant can enter the temple. The entrance is about 2.5 ft wide and 4 ft high. 

Goddess Parvati is known as Akhilandeshwari at this temple. The idols of Shiva and Akhilandeshwari are opposite to each other. This type of temples are known as Upasana sthalams. There is no Thirukalyanam (divine marriage) conducted at this place as Parvati is a student and Lord Shiva is Guru. 

Aadi-Shankara installed Prasanna (pleasant) Ganapati opposite to Akhilandeshwari and installed a pair of Srichakra (as ear rings) to reduce the anger of Parvati. The shrines of Parvati and Prasanna Ganapati are in the shape of Pranav Mantra “OM”. The image of Ekapada Trimurti (Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) is similar to the one at Thyagaraja temple at Thiruvottiyur near Chennai. 

Kanchi Ekambareshwarar Kovil

This Shiva temple is located in Kanchipuram in Tamilnadu. This is the first place in Pancha Bhuta Sthalams representing the element Earth (Prithvi). This is one of the Padal Petra Sthalams revered by the Nayanmars. The vaishnavas consider this place as one of the 108 Divya Desams as there is a Vishnu temple in the complex. This is also one of the Pancha Mayanam Sthala. 

Mulavara: Ekambareshwarar, Ekambar Nadar 

Devi: Kamakshi (AEZAVAR KUZHALI)

Kshetra Vruksha: Mango tree

Sacred teertha: Shiva Ganga Teertha

There is a single mango tree in the temple complex which is about 3500 years old.

Ekam (one) ambar (mango tree) nadar (lord). That is why the name Ekambareshwarar

About this temple – The temple spans about 25 acres of land and is considered as one of the largest temples. It has 4 gopurams and raj gopuram is in the south. It is 11 tiered and about 195 feet in height.

The temple is more than 1500 years old and was originally built by Pallavas. It was later developed by Chola kings and Vijayanagar kings. Of late, it was also developed by Vallal Pachaiyappa Mudaliar during the British rule. His statue can be found in the temple complex. The temple has a number of mandaps and among them one mandap has 1000 pillars and is known as Aayiram (1000) Kall (pillars) Mandap. 1008 Shiva lingams are arranged along the walls. A teertha known as Kampai teertha (temple tank) is believed to have an underground river. The fourth courtyard houses a Ganapati temple and a pond whereas a third courtyard has a number of small shrines. The Shiva Linga (known as Prithvi linga) in the sanctum sanctorum has an image of Lord Shiva. There is no separate shrine for Goddess Parvati here as well as in any Shiva temple in Kanchipuram as she rules here as Rajrajeshwari (Kamakshi). A small shrine houses Lord Vishnu in standing posture. He is known as Nilla Thingal Thundathan. Lord Vishnu is worshiped here as Vaman Murthi. 

The kshetra vruksha (the mango tree) is said to yield 4 different types of mangos from 4 of its branches which have different tastes (bitter, sour, sweet, salty). 

In an inner corridor (parikrama) there are 10 pillars which are said to produce 10 different musical notes when hit by a stick. Under the kshetra vruksha there is a shrine of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.

Other deities – Vellakambar - worshiped by Lord Bramha

Kallakambar – worshiped by Lord Vishnu

Nallakambar – worshiped by Lord Indra

Vikata-chakra Vinayaka, Shanmukha, 108 Shiva lingas, 63 Nayanmars, Sage Markandeya, Bhikshatanar, Nataraja, Devi who saved the world from Pralaya (great deluge) and Navagraha idols are found in the temple. There is a very rare idol of Lord Ganesh sitting on a peacock. 

About Lord Vishnu shrine in the temple – Lord Vishnu is known as Chanda-chud-perumal facing west. Goddess Mahalaxmi is known as Nilla-Thingal-Thinda-Thaayar (in Tamil Ner-Orudar-Illavalli-Nachiyar). Here daily pooja is performed by a shaiva priest. The temple tank in this temple is known as Chandra-pushkarini. The tower (gopuram) above the sanctum sanctorum is known as Purush-sukta-vimanam. 

Greatness of temple – The Shiva linga is swayambhoo. It is the sand which Devi Kamakshi worshiped as Lord Shiva. There is mark on this Shiva Linga to indicate that Devi Kamakshi embraced Lord Shiva. On the prakaram (parikrama) opposite to sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva there is a spatika linga facing the west. There is a spatika nandi opposite to that. In the tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), on the day of Ratha-saptami, rays of the Sun fall on the Shiva Linga. It is believed that the four branches of the mango tree represent four vedas. The utsav murthi or Lord Shiva is in a separate shrine in a glass casing. He is under a pandal made of 5008 rudrakshas. They reflect 1000 of images of Lord Shiva. Besides this, the sahastra lingas (1008) and ashtottara lingas (108) worshiped by Lord Ramachandra (to get rid of his brahma hatya dosha) are found in the temple. The Ganesha in this temple is known as Vikat-chakra-vinayaka and Lord Muruga is known as Mavadi-sundarar. 

Kshetra Puran - Once Goddess Parvati closed eyes of Lord Shiva in a playful manner with her hands. Later realizing her mistake, she asked for atonement. Lord Shiva asked her to go to earth and perform penance. She came to Kanchipuram and was doing penance under a mango tree by preparing a Shiva linga out of sand. She stood on a agnikunda with four more agnikunda on four sides (known as Panch-agni kunda). In order to test her, Lord Shiva sent Ganges to disturb her penance by causing a flood. Fearing that Ganga will wash away the Shiva linga, she protected the Shiva linga by embracing it. Lord Shiva gave her divine vision and forgave her for her mistake (sin). Later He married Her under the mango tree.

According to another kshetra puran, the Shaiva saint- Sundarar got vision on his left eye at this place due to the grace of Lord Shiva. A maid servant named Anithathai was serving Lord Shiva on the earth. While on a teertha-yatra, Sundarar met her and married her by promising not to leave her at any time. As he broke the promise, he lost his vision. He came to this place, during the teertha-yatra. After reaching this place, he begged for pardon of Lord Shiva for breaking the promise. Lord Shiva gave him vision in his left eye. 

The marriage of Lord Shiva to Ambika is depicted in the idol in a shrine below the mango tree. This is considered as the bridal form of Lord Shiva. The mango tree is known as a Veda-maram (a veda tree). 

Nila-thundu-perumal – The poisonous vapors were emitted by Vasuki during the Samudra-manthan. Lord Vishnu who was affected by this hot vapors, worshiped Lord Shiva for relief. The cool rays from crescent moon on Lord Shiva’s head cured Lord Vishnu. Hence Lord Vishnu is known as Nila-thundu-perumal at this place. 

Once Parvati was cursed by Lord Shiva to become dark like Kali. To get rid of this sin, she did penance under a mango tree near Vegavati river. In order to test her Lord Shiva sent fire. Goddess Parvati sought help of brother, Lord Vishnu who took the crescent moon from Lord Shiva’s head and cooled Goddess Parvati and mango tree. Later Lord Shiva sent river Ganga to disturb her penance. Goddess Parvati convinced Ganga that she was her sister and hence Ganga also did not disturb the penance. Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand and got united with Lord Shiva under the mango tree. So, Lord Shiva at this place is known as Ekambareshwarar (Lord of Mango tree).

One of the 63 Nayanmars (Thiru kurippu thonda nayanar) was a washer man near the temple. Lord Shiva appeared as an aged Shaiva brahmin and gave a bundle of clothes to be washed before sunset. At the same time, He made the evening so cloudy that it became dark. Since the saint could not wash the clothes as per his promise, he dashed his head against the stone, Lord Shiva appeared in true form and graced him. 

Prayers – 

1. This is a siddha sthal, people come here seeking, various boons under the belief that they will be fulfilled.
2. People come to this place for mental peace
3. As Lord Shiva is in his bridal form, a large number of people come here to perform their marriage.

Festivals – 

1. Weekly Somavar and Shukravar pooja
2. Regular pooja on Amavasya, Poornima, Kritika nakshatra, Chaturthi and Pradosh
3. Brahma utsav in Tamil month of Panguni (March-April) is held for 10 days concluding with Kalyan utsav. On 5th day, Ekambareshwarar is taken in procession in a silver chariot while Nandi is taken in procession in morning and Ravneshwar vaahan in evening. 
4. 63 Nayanmars are taken in procession on the sixth day morning whereas Ekambareshwar is taken in procession in a silver chariot in the evening.
5. On the ninth day, a worship known as silver mavadi (under mango tree) seva is conducted. 
6. Special abhishekas are performed on Tamil and English new years on Diwali and on Sankrant day. 

Courtesy: Following sites 

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Pancha Bhuta Sthalam

The five basic elements in nature are - Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Aakash (Space)

These Pancha Bhoota Sthalams refer to the five Shiva temples which represent the manifestations of the above five elements. All these temples are located in South India – 4 in Tamil Nadu and 1 in Andhra Pradesh. It is believed that the above 5 elements are enshrined in the Shiva Lingas at these temples. The following chart refers to these five Sthalams

Elements	Shiva Linga	Temple	Name of Consort (Devi) of Shiva	Location
Earth	Prithvi Lingam	Ekambareshwar	Kamakshi	Kanchi-puram, TN
Water	Appu (Jambu) Lingam	Jambukeshwar	Akhilandeshwari	Thiruvanaikaval (near Trichy), TN
Fire	Agni Lingam	Arunachaleshwar	Unnamalai Devi	Thiruvannamalai, TN
Air	Vaayu Lingam	Srikalahasteeshwar	Jananaprasannamba	Srikalahastee, (near Tirupati), AP
Aakash (Space)	Aakash Lingam	Thillainata-raja	Sivakami	Chidambaram, TN

We will give a summary of these five shiva temples in our following articles.

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/