The Pancha Bootha Sthalams are the five ancient Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, each representing one of the five fundamental elements of nature: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Sky. It is believed that these five elements are embodied in the five lingams housed within these temples, as Lord Shiva is considered the guardian of these elements. These revered temples are situated in South India, with four located in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh, and have been venerated for centuries by the Hindus. Let us delve into the mystique and divine presence that envelops these sacred locations as part of the South India tour packages.
Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
The Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the five Pancha Bootha Sthalas dedicated to Lord Shiva, symbolizing the element of Earth. In this sacred site, Lord Shiva is revered as Ekambaranathar, represented by a Lingam crafted from sand, referred to as the Prithvi Lingam. This temple is considered one of the most prominent places to visit in Kanchipuram, with its origins tracing back to approximately 600 CE. Various dynasties, including the Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, and later the Vijayanagar kings, have contributed to its reconstruction and expansion. Spanning 23 acres, the temple features one of the tallest Gopurams in South India, reaching a height of around 190 feet, and the hall, which is adorned with 540 pillars and 1008 Shiva Lingams. Until recently, a mango tree, estimated to be around 3500 years old, stood within the temple grounds but succumbed to age two years ago. The name Ekambareswarar translates to Lord of the Mango Tree, and it is believed that Goddess Kamakshi Amman worshipped Lord Shiva beneath this ancient tree in Kanchipuram, among the most famous pilgrimage sites near Chennai.
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Jambukeshwarar Temple, Thiruvanaikoil
Jambukeswarar Temple also referred to as Thiruvanaikoil, was constructed by Kochengon, a notable figure among the Early Cholas, approximately 1800 years ago on Srirangam Island, among the famous places to visit near Trichy. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is recognized as one of the five principal Shiva Temples, collectively known as Pancha Bhoota Sthalas, symbolizing the element of water. According to legend, Goddess Parvathi, in her form as Akhilandeshwari, created a Lingam from water (Appu Lingam) and worshipped it at this site to attain Shiva Gnana or ultimate knowledge. The sanctum houses the Shiva Lingam in the form of the Appu Lingam. Notably, the sanctum of Lord Jambukeshwara features an underground water stream, which continuously flows and is visible to visitors. The temple complex comprises five enclosures. The first, a substantial outer wall known as Vibudi Prakara, stretches a mile in length, stands 25 feet high, and is 2 feet thick. The fourth enclosure contains a hall supported by 796 pillars and a small tank replenished by springs. The third enclosure is marked by two gopuras while the second enclosure features an additional gopura that is 65 feet tall, along with several smaller shrines. The sanctum housing the Appu Lingam is located within the final enclosure. Devotees frequent this temple to seek blessings for emotional well-being, purification, and harmony, often as part of Srirangam tour packages.
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Arunachaleswara Temple, Tiruvannamalai
Arunachala Temple, also referred to as Annamalaiyar Temple, is an awe-inspiring temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the panch booth sthalas where Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared as a column of light, represented here by a fire lingam, or Agni Lingam. This temple is recognized as the eighth-largest Hindu temple globally and is one of the most renowned places to visit near Chennai. The original structure dates back to the 9th century during the Chola dynasty, with subsequent expansions credited to the Vijayanagar dynasty. Covering an area of 25 acres, Arunachaleswarar Temple is a magnificent edifice constructed in the traditional Dravidian architectural style. It features four towering gateways, known as gopurams, each surrounded by mandapams, shrines, and enclosures adorned with intricately carved sculptures and pillars. The eastern gopuram, with its 11 stories, reaches a height of 66 meters, making it one of the tallest temple towers in India.
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Srikalahasteeshwara Temple, Srikalahasti
The SriKalahasteeswara Temple, one of the five pancha bootha sthalas dedicated to Lord Shiva and representing the element of Air, is located along the banks of the River Swarnamukhi in Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh. The temple’s interior dates back to the 5th century, while the exterior was constructed in the 12th century under the patronage of the Chola and Vijayanagar dynasties. Renowned for its impressive gopurams and remarkable architectural design, this ancient temple features a white Vayu Lingam, which is believed to be self-manifested (Swayambhu). This sacred lingam is not to be touched by devotees or priests alike. Notably, a lamp within the sanctum continues to flicker despite the absence of any airflow. The temple is also linked to the celestial bodies Rahu and Ketu, with the belief that visiting this site can alleviate the troubles associated with Rahu’s unfavorable placements in one’s astrological chart. Additionally, Srikalahasti, among the top pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh, is closely associated with Bhakta Kannappa, a revered devotee of Lord Shiva who is famed for his profound devotion, including the offering of his own eyes to the deity.
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Thillai Natarajar Temple, Chidambaram
The Thillai Nataraja Temple, located in Chidambaram, is the final place among the five panch bootha sthalas dedicated to Lord Shiva, embodying the element of Ether (Sky). This temple venerates Lord Shiva in both an anthropomorphic representation, manifested as a crystal Lingam, and in His formless aspect, depicted by an empty chamber. Constructed in the 10th century during the period when Chidambaram served as the capital of the Chola dynasty, it stands as one of the oldest continuously active temple complexes in South India and is regarded as one of the highly revered pilgrimage sites near Trichy. The intricate carvings on the temple walls illustrate all 108 karanas from the Natya Shastra, authored by Bharata Muni, which serve as the foundational postures for Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form. The Chidambara Rahasya conveys the profound divine secret, wherein the unveiling of the curtain exposes an empty space, symbolizing the formless essence of Lord Shiva. It is in Chidambaram that Lord Shiva is said to have performed the Ananda Tandava, or the dance of eternal bliss, representing the perpetual cycle of creation and destruction.
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