In the previous article we mentioned about Pancha Bhoota Sthalas. It was also mentioned that worshiping Shiva Lingam at these places is considered very beneficial. In this article we are giving details about these sthalas.
The five basic elements in nature are - Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jala), Fire (Agni), Air (Vaayu) and Space (Akash)
Pancha Bhoota Sthalas refer to the five Shiva temples. Each of these temples represents the manifestation of one 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 above 5 elements are enshrined in the Shiva Lingas at these temples. The following chart lists these sthalas
Here are more details about each temple.
Kanchipuram
The Lingam at this Shiva temple represents Earth element. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Ekambareshwar). According to Puranas, Parvati worshiped Shiva in the form of Lingam made of sand (known as Prithvi Lingam) under a mango tree. According to another Sthala Puran, Prithvi Lingam is located at Thiruvarur, TN.
Thiruvanaikaval
The Lingam at this Shiva temple (Jambookeshwarar) represents the Water element. The sanctum of Jambookeshwarar has an underground water spring. Parvati was directed by Lord Shiva to do penance for her misconduct. As per his directions, she found Jamboo forest (Thiruvanaikaval) and made a Lingam of water from the river Kaveri under a white jamboo tree. This place is located near Trichi.
Thiruvannamalai
The Lingam at this Shiva temple represents Fire element. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared as column of Fire whose ends could not be gauged by Lord Vishnu and Lord Bramha. On the request of Lords Bramha and Vishnu, the column of Fire became a Hill. The Hill itself is considered as Lord Shiva. Since Shiva manifested in a column of Fire at this place, it is known as Arunachalam and hence the Lingam is known as “Agni Lingam”.
Srikalahastee
The Lingam at this Shiva temple represents Air element. This place is named after 3 staunch devotees of Shiva namely the spider (Sri), the serpent (Kala) and the elephant (hasti). Pleased by their devotion Lord Shiva gave them the boon that their names will be merged with the Vaayu Linga and it will be called as Srikalahasteeswara. There are several legends connected with the glory of this temple. This shetra is reputed to be Raahu-Ketu shetra where people perform rituals to get rid of Raahu-Ketu dosha and Sarpa dosha.
Chidambaram
The Lingam at this Shiva temple represents Space element. In the Shiva puran this place is referred as the place where Lord Shiva strolled into Thillaivanam (vanam means forest and thillai - species of mangrove trees). He was followed by Lord Vishnu as Mohini. The rishis were performing Tapas in this forest were disturbed by presence of Mohini and Lord Shiva. They tried to drive away Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu by their magical rituals and failed in their attempts. Then Lord Shiva with gentle smile and a serpent around his neck performed Aanand Tandava on the body of the demon (apasmara) under his foot. Hence deity is known as Thillainatarajan.
The five basic elements in nature are - Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jala), Fire (Agni), Air (Vaayu) and Space (Akash)
Pancha Bhoota Sthalas refer to the five Shiva temples. Each of these temples represents the manifestation of one 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 above 5 elements are enshrined in the Shiva Lingas at these temples. The following chart lists these sthalas
Elements
|
Shiva Linga
|
Temple
|
Name of consort
(Devi) of Shiva |
Location
|
Earth (Prithvi)
|
Prithvi Lingam
|
Ekambareshwar
|
Kamakshi
|
Kanchipuram, TN
|
Water (Jala)
|
Appu (Jambu)
Lingam
|
Jambukeshwar
|
Akhilandeshwari
|
Thiruvanaikaval
(near Trichi), TN |
Fire (Agni)
|
Agni Lingam
|
Arunachaleshwar
|
Unnamalai Devi
|
Thiruvannamalai,
TN
|
Air (Vaayu)
|
Vaayu Lingam
|
Srikalahasteeshwar
|
Jananaprasannamba
|
Srikalahastee,
(near Tirupati), AP
|
Space (Aakash)
|
Aakash Lingam
|
Thillainataraja
|
Sivakami
|
Chidambaram, TN
|
Here are more details about each temple.
Kanchipuram
The Lingam at this Shiva temple represents Earth element. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Ekambareshwar). According to Puranas, Parvati worshiped Shiva in the form of Lingam made of sand (known as Prithvi Lingam) under a mango tree. According to another Sthala Puran, Prithvi Lingam is located at Thiruvarur, TN.
Thiruvanaikaval
The Lingam at this Shiva temple (Jambookeshwarar) represents the Water element. The sanctum of Jambookeshwarar has an underground water spring. Parvati was directed by Lord Shiva to do penance for her misconduct. As per his directions, she found Jamboo forest (Thiruvanaikaval) and made a Lingam of water from the river Kaveri under a white jamboo tree. This place is located near Trichi.
Thiruvannamalai
The Lingam at this Shiva temple represents Fire element. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared as column of Fire whose ends could not be gauged by Lord Vishnu and Lord Bramha. On the request of Lords Bramha and Vishnu, the column of Fire became a Hill. The Hill itself is considered as Lord Shiva. Since Shiva manifested in a column of Fire at this place, it is known as Arunachalam and hence the Lingam is known as “Agni Lingam”.
Srikalahastee
The Lingam at this Shiva temple represents Air element. This place is named after 3 staunch devotees of Shiva namely the spider (Sri), the serpent (Kala) and the elephant (hasti). Pleased by their devotion Lord Shiva gave them the boon that their names will be merged with the Vaayu Linga and it will be called as Srikalahasteeswara. There are several legends connected with the glory of this temple. This shetra is reputed to be Raahu-Ketu shetra where people perform rituals to get rid of Raahu-Ketu dosha and Sarpa dosha.
Chidambaram
The Lingam at this Shiva temple represents Space element. In the Shiva puran this place is referred as the place where Lord Shiva strolled into Thillaivanam (vanam means forest and thillai - species of mangrove trees). He was followed by Lord Vishnu as Mohini. The rishis were performing Tapas in this forest were disturbed by presence of Mohini and Lord Shiva. They tried to drive away Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu by their magical rituals and failed in their attempts. Then Lord Shiva with gentle smile and a serpent around his neck performed Aanand Tandava on the body of the demon (apasmara) under his foot. Hence deity is known as Thillainatarajan.
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