Skip to main content

Pancha Bhoota Shivalinga Temples in South India

As per Hinduism the entire physical existence is a combination of five physical elements known as Pancha Bhootas viz. Prithvi (Earth - the solid state), Aakaash, (Space / Ether), Agni (Fire), Jal / Neer (Water i.e the liquid state) and Vaayu (Air i.e the gaseous state)

Lord Shiva is believed to manifest Himself in 5 different elements in the Lingam form. In South India there are five Shiva temples that are dedicated to Pancha Bhoota Lingams. These are known as Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. These five places are considered highly sacred for Shaivites. These temples are heavily crowded with devotees on Maha Sivaratri day.

There is one Pancha Bhoota Shivalinga temple in Andhra Pradesh while the rest of the four temples are in Tamil Nadu. Following are the five Panchabhoota Shivalinga temples in South India:

  1. Ekamreswara Temple in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu - Prithvi Lingam

    Ekamreswara / Ekambareswara temple in Kancheepuram (also known as Shiva Kanchi) is located in Tamil Nadu. Kancheepuram is at a distance of around 70 Km from Chennai. The main deity, Ekambareswara represents Earth and is in Prithvi Lingam form. The temple was rebuilt by the Pallava Kings, Cholas and Vijayanagara Kings. It dates back to 600 C.E (Current Era).
    The temple is very spacious with inscriptions in Telugu language in old Telugu script on the stones. There is a 3,500 years old mango tree in the temple which is considered highly sacred. There is a belief that Goddess Parvati Devi (Siva's wife) installed the Lingam under the shade of this oldest mango tree. In the temple, it is Pardhiva Lingam i.e made of Earth (soil), 'abhishekams' (i.e pouring of water / liquids) are not performed to the Lingam here.

    The Raja Gopuram i.e the tower of the main entrance gate is one of the tallest one in India. It has 11 storeys with beautiful sculptures.

    Goddess Parvati Devi resides in Kancheepuram in the form of Kamakshi Devi which is one of the Ashtadasa (18) Shakti Peethams

  2. Jambukeswara Temple in Jambukeswaram, Tamil Nadu - Jala Lingam

    Jambukeswara temple is located in Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) in Tamil Nadu. Due to the popularity of the temple, the place is also known as Jambukeswaram. Lord Shiva is known as Abhisheka Priya i.e the one who is fond of 'abhishekams'. The Jala Lingam in this temple is immersed in pool of water. In this temple Goddess Parvati Devi is worshiped as Akhilandeswari. It is said that Lord Siva meditated under the Jamun tree here, hence known as Jambukeswara.

    The temple is very spacious with tall gopurams i.e towers.

  3. Arunachaleswara in Arunachalam, Tamil Nadu - Tejo (Agni) Lingam

    As per the mention in the legends, Lord Siva has evolved in the form of Agni Lingam on Mahasivaratri night. Arunachalam also known as Tiruannamalai gained popularity as Siva Lingam in this temple is in the form of Agni. As per sthala puranam i.e legend of the place, it is said that to settle the dispute between Lord Vishnu and Brahma, Siva took the form of Tejo Lingam at this place. Parvati Devi is worshiped in the named of Apeetakuchalamba Devi in this temple. It is a large temple complex.

    Kartika Masam is specially celebrated in this temple with specially lit Kartika Deepam. The temple is heavily crowded with devotees to see the oil lit lamp. Many devotees do giri pradakshina i.e going round the sacred hill.

  4. Sri Kalahastiswara in Srikalahasti Temple, Andhra Pradesh - Vayu Lingam

    Sri Kalahasti in Andhra Pradesh is located near Tirumala-Tirupati. It is on the bank of River Swarnamukhi. Sri Kalahastiwara is in the form of Vayu Lingam in this temple. One can see the moving flames of the oil lit lamps inside the garbhalaya i.e sanctum sanctorum. The flames of oil lit lamp keep moving due to the wind that comes from the hollow lingam which confirms that it a Vayu lingam. In this temple Parvati Devi is worshiped as Sri Gyana Prasunamba.

    Pilgrims from Tirumala, compulsorily visit this place as it is believed that visiting the temple is equivalent to visiting Kailash - the abode of Lord Siva.

    The temple gained popularity for Rahu-Ketu pooja specially performed to get rid of doshas. This is the only temple in India that remains open even during Grahan / eclipse time.

  5. Nataraj temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu - Akasa Lingam

    In Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, Lord Siva is in Aananda Tandava pose i.e in dance pose in Cosmic Bliss. Behind the idol of Nataraj is the Akasa Lingam. There is a curtain which is raised for a fraction of a second by the temple priest after the pooja. Devotees can only see the hanging garland of bilwa patra (leaves) which keep moving due to the wind. It is said that there is no lingam but the devotees are made to believe that there is Akasa lingam that is invisible.

    In this temple, Parvati Devi is worshiped as Sivakama Sundari. The temple architecture here is awesome.

    These five famous Siva temples together make the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam temple. A visit to these temples makes one spiritually elevated.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Seemantham - The South Indian Traditional Baby Shower ceremony

Seemantham is a traditional south Indian way of celebrating baby shower. The same is celebrated in north India as 'godbharai' ('god' means lap in Hindi - 'd' in 'god' is pronounced as 'the' and bharai means 'to fill'). The celebration differs from region to region. Seemantham is also known by the names 'poolu mudupu' (i.e adoring flowers in the hair) and 'gajulu todagadam' (i.e wearing glass bangles) in Telugu. It is celebrated in the 5th or 7th or 9th month of pregnancy. Seemantham is one of the 16 Hindu samskaras known as 'simantonnayana' in Sanskrit. It is a samskara of the embryo / foetus that develops in the pregnant woman's womb. Usually, seemantham is celebrated for the 1st pregnancy only and not for the subsequent conceives. There are certain superstitious believes on celebrating the function. In the olden days, people believed that pregnant women are easily prone to 'dishti' or evil e
Post a Comment
Continue Reading »

How To Perform Aksharabhyasam At Home And Basar temple

Aksharabhyasam Meaning The word 'Akshara' means letters (alphabets) in Sanskrit and 'abhyasam' means practice. Aksharabhyasam is a traditional religious function of Hindus. It is also known as 'Vidyaarambham' which literally means starting of education. In this function a child is given initiation for writing / education. With this function the child is ready to receive formal education in a school. The function is performed in different ways in different regions of India. When to perform aksharabhyasam In the olden days, aksharabhyasam was performed when the child was 5 years old. But presently because of early education at Kindergarten level, parents perform this ceremony when the child is in his 3rd year i.e. after the child completes 2 years. Normally there is a belief that aksharabhyasam should not be performed after the child completes 3 years and is in its 4th year. Where to perform aksharabhyasam The function can be performed either in a temp
Continue Reading »

School Speeches - Farewell Speech By School Principal to Outgoing Students

Author Reserves All Rights. Listen to the speech in my YouTube Channel: This sample speech would be helpful for the school principal to deliver on the occasion of school farewell day party. Respected teachers and my dear students, Good Morning / Good Afternoon to each one present here and a very warm welcome to you to the school farewell party. It's a nostalgic feeling as I remember my student life in school and my school farewell party. I am sure we all have mixed feelings on this day which is a blend of joy and sadness. On one hand you feel enthusiastic as you will be stepping into a completely new different world where you will find relatively more freedom than in a school life. While on the other hand you will feel sad as you have to depart from your school / classmates. My dear friends the time has come to bid you all farewell with a heavy heart from this esteemed institution which protected you, cared for you, supported you and guided you all these years.
Post a Comment
Continue Reading »