Pancha Bootha Sthalams
Panchabootha Sthalas are the abodes where the Lord is worshipped in his manifestation as Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Space which are the Pancha boothams or the five natural elements which are considered sacred and imminent to Life.
- the Thillai Natarja temple at Chidambaram , where the Lord is worshipped in his manifestation as Sky
- the Ekambareswarar temple at Kanchipuram, where the Lord is worshipped in his manifestation as Earth
- the Jambukeswarar temple at Thiruvanaikaval, in Tiruchirapalli, where the Lord is worshipped in his manifestation as Water
- the Annamalaiyar Temple at Tiruvannamalai, where the Lord is worshipped in his manifestation as Fire
- the Kalahasti temple at Srikalahasthi, where the Lord is worshipped in his manifestation as air/wind.
Kalahasthi temple, Sri Kalahasthi
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Phone : 085782 22240
Constructed in 1516 by Krishnadevraya the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is huge and beautifully constructed. It has intricate carvings detailing mythological events and happenings.
The temple emanating lot of Vibrancy and Energy represents one of the five elements – Air or Vaayu. The architecture of the temple in unique and the towers are highly ornamental and interiors are exquisitely carved
The name of Srikalahasti Temple is derived from the myth that a spider (Sri), a snake (Kala), and an elephant (Hasti) worshipped Lord shiva and attained salvation.
The Cholas made many changes in the infrastructure which was further developed through new structures, expansion and Renovation by the Cholas as well as the Vijayanagara Dynasty. Tamil poet Nakkeerar and Telugu poet Dhoorjati, have praised its divinity and beauty
The Srikalahasti Temple boasts of the beautiful Dravidian style of architecture. It was built during the Pallava period in the 5th century. This majestic temple has a fantastic view for the visitors to gaze at as it is situated at the base of a hill. Some people believe that it is a monolithic structure, meaning that it is made of a single large block of stone.
While the main entrance of the Temple faces south, the main shrine faces the west direction. The Shiva Lingam inside the shrine is made up of white stone and is in the design of an elephant’s trunk. The main gopuram of the temple was more than 120 feet in height. The gopuram collapsed in 2010 and a new gopuram was built in 2017. The temple complex has a hall with hundred intricately carved pillars believed to be constructe during Devaraya’s reign. A nine feet tall rock-cut shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha can be seen. Shrines for Kasi Viswanatha, Suryanarayana, Subramanya, Annapurna, and Ganapathi along with Ganapati, Mahalakshmi Ganapathi, Vallabha Ganapati, and Sahasra Lingeshwara. There are two more mandapams namely the Sadyogi Mandap and the Jalkoti Mandap in addition to two water bodies – Chandra Pushkarani and Surya Pushkarani.
The Srikalahasti Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalam, where Air or Vaayu Lingam is worshipped. Interestingly all the other temples close down during the Solar and the Lunar eclipse except for the Srikalahasti temple. Rahu-Kethu pooja is a significant pooja done here and Srikalahasti Temple is famous nivarthi of such dosham and also protect the people from the effects of Raahu and Kethu.
Brahma had worshipped Kalahatiswara at this place apart from Arjuna, who too is believed to have worshipped the presiding deity here. The famous hunter Kannappa, is associated with the Srikalahasti Temple. Many saints have sung in praise of the Lord here.
Ekambareswarar temple, Kanchipuram
Timings : 6.00 a.m to 11.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m to 8.00 p.m
Phone : 27222084
Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the sacred Shiva temples representing the element Earth. One of the oldest temples and reconstructed by Pallavas around 600 A D , Shiva is worshipped here as Ekambareswarar. Most of the tamil Dynasty has added to the beauty and glory of this temple. The gigantic Rajagopuram which is an architectural wonder built by the Vijayanagara Empire is around 170 ft tall.
Legend has it that the lingam is made and worshipped by Goddess Parvati herself and the marks on the Lingam endorses the legend. When Goddess Parvati covered Shiva’s eyes, the world suddenly filled with darkness and even Sun and moon lost their Lustre. When Parvati felt guilty, Shiva advised her to do penance to atone her wrong act. Parvati came to earth as Kamakshi, did a penance by making a Shiva linga out of sand and worshipped in the form of Prithvi Lingam [Lingam made of earth] under the ancient temple mango tree.
Shiva in order to test her devotion caused a flood where Kamakshi was immersed in his worship. Kamakshi got scared of the flood washing away the lingam, embraced it. Lord Shiva started melting due to her devotion and out of divine love for her, married Kamakshi. The marks seen on the lingam are during this time when Kamakshi accidently her bangles and kuchas hit the sand made lingam.
The “Sthala Vriksham” is the ancient temple mango tree with four branches representing 4 vedas, which is more than 3500 years old under which Kamakshi worshipped here. There is also a 1000 pillared hall, 1008 Shiv Lingams that adorn the inner walls of the temple and ten musical pillars at the inner corridor of the temple. The sun rays falls directly on the Shiva linga every 19, 20 and 21 of the Panguni month (March-April) when the most important festival panguni Uthiram of the Ekambareswarar Temple is celebrated.
Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannanmalai
Timings : 5.30 to 12.30 3.30 to 9.30
Phone : 04175 252 438
Arunachaleswarar Temple, one of the Panchambootham Sthalams, represents the element of fire or Agni and Lord Shiva is in the form of the Agni Lingam.
The temple complex is one of the largest in India and has four gateway towers. The temple has numerous shrines and among those of the primary deities of Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman are prominent. The temple complex houses many halls including the thousand-pillared hall built during the Vijayanagar period.
When Goddess Parvati in a playful mood closed the Lord’s eyes for a moment, all light vanished from the universe and it was plunged into darkness. When The Goddess then performed penance along with the other Gods, Pleased Lord appeared as a column of fire, on top of the Annamalai hills, returning light to the universe. He then appeared in the form of Ardhanarishvara, the half-female - half-male form. The Annamalai, or red mountain, is sacred and is considered a lingam, or iconic representation of Shiva, in itself.
Lord Brahma and Lord Thirumal wanted to ascertain who was greater to the other. No other than Lord Siva was asked to be the judge who stipulated that whoever was able to see his crown or his feet would be the winner. Then he took the form of a Jothi (a column of fire) touching the heaven and earth. Thirumal dug the earth by taking varaha (wild boar) form but conceded defeat. Brahma took the form of a swan and flew to see the crown of Siva but failed. When He then saw a thazhambu flower falling from Shiva’s crown and asked him the distance, the flower replied that he had been falling for forty thousand years which made Brahma resort to conceit and requested the flower to act as a false witness.
When the thazhambu flower declared that Brahma had seen the crown. Siva became angry and cursed Bramha that he should have no temple on earth and that the thazhambu flower will not be used to worship Lord Siva. The place where Lord Siva appearing as a column of fire to eliminate all the ego is Thiruvannamalai.
It is believed that the Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Krithayugam, Maanikkam (Emerald) during Threthayugam, Pon or Thangam (Gold) during Dwaprayugam and rock during Kaliyugam as per the legends. As requested by Thirumal and Brahma, Siva took the form of a Sivalingam at the foot of the hill where the Temple is located.
Thiruvanaikaval temple, Trichy,
Timings : 5.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. 3.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone : 91-431- 2230 257.
This temple is situated the two rivers, Cauvery in south, coleroon in North. It is considered as one of the Pancha Bootha sthalams where Lord Shiva represents the element of water (Appulinga).
An Elephant was blessed here after worshipping here and hence the temple is known as ‘Thiruvanaikka’. As Lord Siva is seated below Jambu tree at this temple, it also gets its name Jambukeswaram. This is also called Gnaankshetjram as Goddess Ahilandeswari performed penance here and Lord Siva blessed her.
It is believed that a spider in his previous birth worshipped Lord and was blessed to be born as King Kochengat cholan who constructed this temple about 2500 years ago. By worshipping in this temple Umai, Thirumal, Brahma, Attathikku Balakhargal, Attavasukkal, Jambu Munivar, Gowthamar, Aghasthiyar, a spider known as Gananatharul maliyavan, elephant named Pushbadhanthan, Suryan and Chandran attained bliss and glory.
Thirugnana Sambanthar, Appar, Sundarar, Arunagirinathar, Iyyadigal kadawarkon, Thayumanavar have sung the glory of Lord Jambukeswarar. Kalamega Pulavar was blessed by Devi with the talent to write poems at this temple.
This temple has 5 praharams.(corridor) out of which as lord Siva himself is believed to have built the 5th praharam, it appears in the form of Spider and known as ‘Thiruneettan thirumathil’. Also the location where Lord Siva blessed the spider and elephant to attain moksha.
Monolithic stone pillars are seen in the mandapam, at the entrance of Aariyavittan tower in 3rd Praharam. You will find stone chains and 12 zodiac signs are beautifully carved on these pillars. Pillars in 1000 pillar hall and in other parts of temple have artistic work on them. 2 Temple cars and various Vahanas are seen in this temple. Inscriptions of many kings including that of Madurai konda Parakesari varman paranthaka cholan which is considered the oldest among them.
Devotees worshipping here are blessed both in this birth and in next birth. Goddess Ahilandeswari blesses with good education and intelligence, Marriage and Child boon. By circumambulating the fifth divine wall known as "Thiruneetran thirumathil one with gets fulfilled.
Thillai Natarajar Temple, Chidambaram
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. 4.00 pm. To 10.00 p.m.
Phone : 9443635280
Chidambaram Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Sangam classics claims Viduvelvidugu Perumtaccan, renowned clan of traditional Vishwakarmas, as being the chief architect of the temple renovation. Apart from this, There have been several renovations done by Pallava/Chola emperors.
Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples, representing akasha (aether).
Spread over 50 acres in the heart of the city, this is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal, where both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one.
The word Chidambaram is said to be derived from “Chit”, meaning "consciousness", and ambaram, meaning "sky" (from aakasam or aakayam); It is also said to be derived from chit + ambalam. Ambalam means a "stage" for performing arts. The chidakasam is the state of supreme bliss or aananda and Lord Natarajar is the symbolic representation of the supreme bliss or aananda natanam.
It is strongly believed that a darshan at Chidambaram leads to liberation. There are several who consider that it is derived from the word chitrambalam, “chithu” meaning "play or dances of God" and “ambalam” meaning "stage"
The bejeweled image of Nataraja. depicts that Lord Shiva as the Lord of the dance Bharatanatyam and is one of the few temples where Shiva is represented by an anthropomorphic murthi rather than the classic, anionic Lingam. The temple has five courts and was rebuilt in 1213 AD. The temple is being traditionally administered by an endogamous group of shiavite brahmins called Dikshitars, who also officiate as its priests.
In the Thillai forests resided a group of saints or 'rishis' who believed that God can be controlled by rituals and 'mantras' or magical hymns. The Lord enters the forest with his natural brilliance, assuming the form of 'Pitchatanadar', a simple mendicant seeking alms. Vishnu follows him as Mohini who enchants the rishi patnis which andgers the Rishis to invoke scores of 'serpents' on them through magical rituals. When the Lord dons them as ornaments on his matted locks, neck and waist, the rishis invoke a fierce tiger, whose skins become a shawl around his waist. When the rishis gather all their spiritual strength in desperation, invoke a powerful demon, the Lord steps on the demon's back, immobilizes him and performs the Ánanda Thaandava and presents his true form. The rishis surrender when they realise and acknowledge that Lord is the truth and he is beyond magic and rituals.
Adhisesha, who is the divine bed for the Lord Vishnu, prays the Lord to witness the Änanda thaandava. The Lord blesses him to assume the saintly form of 'Patanjali' and proceed to the Thillai forest, informing him that he will have get to witness the dance in due course. Patanjali and his student Upamanyu move into the Thillai forest and worship Lord Shiva in the form of Shivalinga, a deity worshipped today as Thirumoolataneswarar (Thiru - sri, Moolatanam - primordial or in the nature of a foundation, Eswarar- the Lord). It is said that Lord Shiva blessed them with his dance of bliss (the Aananda Thaandavam) - as Nataraja to these two saints on the day of the poosam star in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan – Feb).
The Ananda Tandava posture of Lord Shiva is one of the most famous posture recognized around the world. The demon under his feet signifies that ignorance is humbled.
The Fire signifies destroyer of evil. The raised hand signifies that he is the savior of all living things.The Ring is the cosmos and The drum is the origin of Life.
Chidambaram is also referred to as Thillai (after the Thillai forest of ancient times in which the temple is now located), Perumpatrapuliyur or Vyagrapuram (in honour of Saint Vyagrapathar).The spot where the Lord displayed his dance of bliss, the Änanda Thaandavam - a spot exactly south of the "Thirumoolataaneswar temple", today is the Ponnambalam/ Porsabhai (Pon meaning gold, Ambalam/Sabai meaning stage) which houses the Lord Shiva in his dancing form and the Lord is hence referred to as the Sabhanayakar, Lord of the Stage.
The gold-roofed stage is the sanctum sanctorum of the Chidambaram temple and the Lord in three forms:
1. As Lord Nataraja, called the Sakala thirumeni.
2. As the Crystal linga of Chandramouleswarar, the Sakala nishkala thirumeni.
3. As the Space in Chidambara Rahasyam, an empty space within the sanctum sanctorum, the Nishkala thirumeni.
Chidambaram also is one of the Panchasabhai sthalams where Lord Shiva is said to have displayed his dance. Chidambaram is called the Por sabhai (Por meaning Gold)
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