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Pancha Bhoota Sthalams


5 Temples of Lord Shiva (in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh), each representing a prime element of Nature.

1. Kanchipuram - Ekambareshwarar (Prithivi Lingam):
Devi Kamakshi Ekambareshwarar temple Sri Varadaraja Perumal Kanchipuram (Moksha Puri) (Shakti Peetha) (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam) (Paadal Petra Sthalam)
(Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu)

Hastigiri Hill (Sri Varadaraja Temple)
▬ River Vegavathi flows
▬ River Palar flows
▬ River Kampa flows (Puranic)
Mango Tree (Aamra) (Devi Parvati penance)
(Tamil Nadu Plain)

- Devi abides in Kanchipuram as Kanchi Shakti Peetha (identified with Devi Kamakshi).
- Devi Parvati (Kamakshi) performed penance in Kanchipuram and got united with Lord Shiva.
- Lord Shiva abides in Kanchipuram as Lord Ekambareshwara where Devi Parvati (Kamakshi) performed penance.
- Kanchipuram has several other Shiva Temples apart from the main Ekambareshwarar Temple.
- Lord Vishnu abides in Kanchipuram as Lord Varadaraja (a Divya Desam) where Lord Brahma performed penance in Satya Yuga, Gajendra in Treta Yuga, Brihaspati in Dwapara Yuga and Adisesha in Kali Yuga.
- Kanchipuram has several other Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu apart from Lord Varadaraja Temple.

2. Thiruvanaikaval - Jambukeshwarar (Jala Lingam):

Thiruvanaikaval - Abode of Lord Shiva (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam):

Lord Shiva Thiruvanaikaval - Jambukeshwarar - Thiruvanaikaval (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam) (Paadal Petra Sthalam)
(Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu)
Shiva: Jambukeshwarar
Devi: Devi Akhilandeshwari
▬ River Kaveri flows
Jambu Tree


3. Thiruvannamalai - Arunachaleshwarar (Agni Lingam):
Lord Shiva Arunachala Mountain and Arunachaleshwarar Temple Devi Kamakshi Thiruvannamalai - Pavala Kundru Thiruvannamalai (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam) (Paadal Petra Sthalam)
(Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu)

Arunachala Mountain
(Tamil Nadu Uplands)

(Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya)

- Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) is the place where Lord Shiva manifested as an infinite Taijasa Lingam (Column of Fire).
- Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) is the place where Lord Shiva later manifested in a smaller form as the Arunachala Mountain.
- Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai) is the place where Devi Parvati performed penance after performing penance at Kanchipuram.

4. Srikalahasti - Srikalahasteeshwarar (Vayu Lingam):

Srikalahasti Kshetra - Famous Temple of Lord Shiva (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam)

Srikalahasti - Srikalahasteeshwarar Srikalahasteeshwarar temple, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh Srikalahasteeshwarar temple, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh - Srikalahasti (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam) (Paadal Petra Sthalam)
(Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh)
Shiva: Srikalahasteeshwarar Temple
▬ River Swarnamukhi flows
(Srikalahasteeshwara Sthalapurana)


5. Chidambaram - Natarajar (Akasha Lingam):
Sri Nataraja Devi Kali Chidambaram (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam) (Paadal Petra Sthalam)
(Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu)

Thillai Vana (Puranic)
▬ River Vellar flows
▬ River Kollidam flows (5 km south)
Shiva-Ganga Teertha (Temple Tank)
(Tamil Nadu Plain)

(Chidambara Mahatmya)

- Lord Nataraja danced the Ananda Tandava in Thillai Vana (Chidambaram) before sages Vyaghrapada, Patanjali and other celestials and sages.
- Devi Thillai Kali had a dance competition with Lord Shiva in Thillai Vana (Chidambaram).


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Last updated on Jun-2026

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