THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PANCHA BHOOTA STALAM;-

06 FACTS;-
1-Pancha Bhoota Stalam refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a
manifestation of the five prime elements of nature: land, water, air, sky, and fire.Pancha
indicates "five," Bhoota means "elements," and Stala means "place."
2-The temples are located in South India, four in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra
Pradesh. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams of the
temples, with each lingam named based on the element represented
3-According to Hinduism, life and the various species originated by the combination of
planetary globes and the five manifestations of nature namely air, water, fire, land and
sky. Bhoota in Sanskrit means compound and maha bhoota indicates a big compound.
4- According to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system, the equilibrium of the body
with the pancha bhoota is governed by the principles of tridoshas -kaph(phlegm),
pitta(bile), vayu(gas), dhātu and malas(waste products).
5-Rabindranath Tagore, a nobel lauerate for literature, in his poem, Pancha bhoota, has
explained the emotional faculty of the human mind is keenly sensitive to all objects of
light, colour, sound, effect of speed, sun, moon and stars.
6-These five celebrated Ishwarams or Pancha Ishwaram Temples were important
landmarks of the country and had India's adoration.
THE FIVE TEMPLES IN NUTSHELL;-
05 FACTS;-
1-Shiva is said to have manifested himself in the form of Prithvi Lingam as
Ekambareswarar. In Tiruvannamalai temple, Shiva is said to have manifested himself in
the form of massive column of fire, whose crown and feet could not be found by the
Hindu God of creation, Brahma and Hindu God of preservation (or maintainer) Vishnu.
2-Agni Lingam explains the mythics of life - duty, virtue, self-sacrifice and finally
liberation by and through ascetic life at the end of Agni kalpa.
3-In Thiruvanaikaval temple, Shiva represents water element where the appu lingam is
submerged in water and a perennial sub terrain spring gushes around the lingam.
4-In Chidambaram, empty space is worshiped as Shiva (akasha lingam) to signify God
is beyond human comprehension. Unlike the other temples, this one does not contain a
physical stone lingam.
5-All these famous Shiva temples are located in South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and
Andhra Pradesh.
THE DESCRIPTION OF FIVE TEMPLES;-
1-EKAMBARESWARA TEMPLE (Earth)Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu;-
05 FACTS;-
1-Ekambareswarar Temple of Kanchipuram is the most famous Shiva temple in Tamil
Nadu and one of the Panch Bootha Sthalangal of God Shiva. Lord Shiva is worshiped
as Ekambareswarar in the form of Prithivi Lingam,located in the town of Kanchipuram in
Tamil Nadu.
2-This is one of oldest functioning temples in India. Shiva is said to have manifested
himself in the form of Prithvi Lingam. Legend has it that once Parvati, the consort of
Shiva was doing penance under the temple's ancient Mango tree near Vegavathi
river.In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her.
3-Goddess Parvati prayed to her brother, Vishnu, for help. In order to save her, he took
the Moon from Shiva's head and showed the rays which then cooled down the tree as
well as Parvati. Shiva again sent the river Ganga to disrupt Parvati's penance.
4-Parvati prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so
should not harm her. Subsequently, Ganga did not disturb her penance and Parvati
made a Shiva Linga out of sand to get united with Shiva.
5-The the sacred mango tree here, its the same tree where Kamakshi (Parvati devi) did
penance for lord Shiva, and later their marriage took place here. Tree is said to be
3,500 years old whose branches are said to yield four different types (tastes) of
mangoes. Eka means one and Amra means Mango.. and hence the name Ekambra -
Lord of Mango Tree.
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2-JAMBUKESWARA TEMPLE (Water) in Tiruchirapalli Tamil Nadu;-
06 FACTS;-
1-Jambukeswarar Temple is one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu,
situated in Tiruchirapalli or Trichy of Tamil Nadu. The temple represents the element of
water and sanctum has an underground water stream.
2-The sanctum of Jambukeswara has an underground water stream and in spite of
pumping water out, it is always filled with water. As Akilandeswari worshipped Lord
Shiva in this temple, even today at noon the 'Archakar' (priest) dresses like a female
and does Pooja to Jambukeswara.
3-One of the Legends: Once Parvati mocked Shiva’s penance for betterment of the
world. Shiva wanted to condemn her act and directed her to go to the earth from
Kailayam (Shiva's abode) to do penance. Parvathi in the form of Akilandeswari as per
Shiva's wish found Jambu forest (Thiruvanaikoil) to conduct her penance.
4-She made a lingam out of water of river Cauvery (also called as river Ponni) under the
Venn Naaval tree (the Venn Naaval tree on top of the saint Jambu) and commenced her
worship. The lingam is known as Appu Lingam (Water Lingam).
5-Shiva at last gave darshan to Akilandeswari and taught her Shiva Gnana.
Akilandeswari took Upadesa (lessons) facing East from Shiva, who stood facing west.
6-The temples idols are installed opposite to each other - Such temples are known as
Upadesa Sthalams. As the Devi was like a student and Jambukeswara like a Guru
(teacher) in this temple, there is no Thiru Kalyanam (marriage) conducted in this temple
for Shiva and Parvathi, unlike the other Shiva temples.
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3-ARUNACHALESWARA TEMPLE (Fire)Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu
07 FACTS;-
1-Arunachaleswara Temple or Annamalaiyar Temple of Lord Shiva is associated with
Agni or Jyothi Lingam and the temple complex is one of the largest in India.
2-Annamalaiyar Temple is located at the foothills of the Annamalai Hil in the town of
Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu.Shiva is worshiped as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswarar
represented as Agni lingam, with his consort, Unnamulaiyamman (Apitakuchambaal -
Parvati).
3-The temple complex spans 10 hectares and is one of the largest temples in India.It
houses 4 gopurams (gateway towers) with the tallest being the eastern tower with 11
storeys and a height of 66 metres (217 ft), making it one of the tallest gopurams in India.
4-Legend has it that Shiva's consort Parvati once closed the eyes of Shiva playfully in
the flower garden of Kailasha (the abode of Shiva). The whole universe was darkened
for a moment and the earth was darkened for years, translating to a moment of time at
Kailasha.
5-Parvati performed penance with other worshippers and Shiva appeared as a flame of
fire at the top of the Annamalai hill to remove the darkness. He merged his half to
Parvati's in the form of Ardhanarishvara - the half-female, half-male form of Shiva.
6-The Annamalai hill (meaning red mountain) lying behind the Annamalaiyar temple is
always associated with the temple.The hill is considered sacred and considered to be a
lingam (representation of Shiva) in itself.
7-The Karthigai Deepam festival celebrated during the full moon day in November–
December during which a huge beacon lit on the top of the hill. It can be seen from
miles around and believed to be Shiva's lingam of fire joining the limitless skies. Once
the beacon is lit, piligrim perform Girivalam - circling the hill by foot and visit then
worship the deity in the temple. The event is witnessed by 3 million pilgrims.
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4-SRIKALAHASTEESWARA TEMPLE (Air)Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh
08 FACTS;-
1-Srikalahasteeswara Temple is one of the top five most famous Shiva temples in South
India, located in the town of Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh. Srikalahasti temple
representing wind and the only Pancha Bhootam Stalam located out of Tamil Nadu.
2-Sri Kalahasti temple is situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayu linga.
Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara with his concert Parvati as Gnana
Prasunambika Devi.
3-Legend: According to Hindu mythology, the elephant or Hasti used to clean the Shiva
deity by watering the idol with the help of river-water carried in his trunks and pray for
him by placing Vilva leaves. The spider or Sri tried to protect the deity from external
damage by weaving his web and to provide shelter for the Shiva lingam. The snake or
Kala used to place its precious gem on the linga to adorn the lord. In this way, they all
worshipped the Vayu linga separately without knowing what the other was doing.
4-One day, the spider had built a very big and thick web around the deity to protect it
from dust and weather while the snake places its gem. The elephant not knowing this
and assuming that this form of puja by Sri and Kala is a desecration by the seeming
miscreants, pours water on it and cleans it up. This causes a war between the three.
5-The snake punishes the elephant by entering its trunk and in the process kills itself
while the elephant runs amok and hits its trunk and head against the shiva linga. During
this struggle, the spider is squashed against the linga by the elephant's trunk and the
elephant dies due to the snake's poison.
6-Lord Shiva then appeared and gave moksha to all three of them for their selfless
devotion. The spider takes rebirth as a great king while the elephant and the snake
reaches heaven for satisfying all its karma.
7-This king continues his good work from his previous birth and builds a variety of
temples that seeks to protect the underlying deity with tons of stones. It is interesting to
note that all his temples, keep the deity beyond the access of an elephant. In this
temple, access to the deity is through a narrow passage in the side of the building that
prevents an elephant from extending its trunk over the lord from any side.
8-Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Temple is reputed as the Rahu Kethu Kshetra,
Thousands of Devotees from the country and abroad perform Rahu - Kethu Sarpa
Dosha Nivarana Puja in this Temple.
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5-THILLAI NATARAJA TEMPLE (Sky) Chidambaram, in Tamil Nadu
10 FACTS;-
1-The deity that presides here is Lord Shiva in form of Nataraj - Lord of Dance. We can
see Shiva as in pose of Nataraja performing the Ananda Tandava ("Dance of Delight")
in the golden hall of the shrine. The consort deity here is Sivakami Amman (form of
Amman - mother goddess and female energy).
2-The sculptures of Chidambaram inspired the postures of Bharatha Natyam.The
Chidambaram temple is representing the Aagaya Lingam and has one of the tallest
Gopuram in India.
3-Legend:The story of Chidambaram begins with Shiva strolling into the Thillai Vanam
.Vanam meaning forest and thillai trees - botanical name Exocoeria agallocha, a
species of mangrove trees (which currently grows in the Pichavaram wetlands near
Chidambaram).
4- In the Thillai forests resided a group of sages or 'rishis' who believed in the
supremacy of magic and that God can be controlled by rituals and mantras or magical
words.
5-Shiva strolled in the forest with resplendent beauty and brilliance, assuming the form
of Bhikshatana, a simple mendicant seeking alms. He was followed by his consort,
Vishnu as Mohini. 6-The sages and their wives were enchanted by the brilliance and the
beauty of the handsome mendicant and his consort. On seeing their womenfolk
enchanted, the rishis got enraged and invoke scores of serpents by performing magical
rituals.
7-Shiva lifted the serpents and donned them as ornaments on his matted locks, neck
and waist. Further enraged, the sages invokek a fierce tiger, whose skins and dons
were used by Shiva as a shawl around his waist.
8-The rishis gathered all their spiritual strength and invoked a powerful demon
Muyalakan - a symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance. Shiva wore a gentle smile,
stepped on the demon's back, immobilized him and performed the Ánanda Tandava
(the dance of eternal bliss) and disclosed his true form. The sages surrender, realizing
that Shiva is the truth and he is beyond magic and rituals.
9-This gold-roofed stage is the sanctum of the Chidambaram temple and houses the
Lord in three forms:
A-the "form" - the anthropomorphic form as an appearance of Nataraja, called the
Sakala-thirumeni.
B-the "semi-form" – the semi-anthropomorphic form as the Crystal linga of
Chandramaulishvara, the Sakala-nishkala-thirumeni.
C-the "formless" – as the space in Chidambara-rahasyam, an empty space within the
sanctum sanctorum, the Nishkala-thirumeni.
10-The Chidambara Rahasya...During the daily rituals, the Chief priest, parts the
curtain, indicating the withdrawal of ignorance and reveals the space, and the Lord’s
presence.The Chidambara Rahasya, is hence representative of that time when one, in
total surrender, allows God to intervene and remove our ignorance, even as we get to
'see and experience' His presence and hence - bliss.
.....SHIVOHAM....