Panch Bhoota Stalam Pilgrimage Package (5 Night / 6 Days)

Panch Bhoota Stalams are all located in the region of Deccan Plateau refers to the five elements of Universe, Water, Earth, Fire, Wind and Sky. All the Five Panch Bhoota Temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Each of the places are where Goddess Parvati worshipped Lord Shiva. The Five elements represent the life learnings.

Kanchipuram| Ekambareshwarar Temple | Earth: Is the place where Goddess Parvati did her deep penance under a mango tree, which tested her devotion to Shiva by sending Ganga to disturb her. Parvati requested that Ganga not harm her, as they are sisters. She made a Shivalingam out of Soil. Today, the same Prithvi Lingam of Ekambareshwarar (Lord of Mango Tree) is worshiped with Abhishekam of Jasmine oil to save it from deteriorating.

This teaches us that an idol is not necessarily needed to worship God, even a fistful of sand is also enough if devotion is strong

Tiruvanaikaval | Jambukeshwar Temple | Water: Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati in the form of Akhilandeshwari are worshipped as Guru and Disciple, as this is the place where Lord Shiva taught Goddess Parvati the Shiva Gyana. Goddess Parvati had made a Shiva lingam here out of water. Today's date a water stream flows through the Shivling here. Every day, the priest here dresses up in female attire to depict Akhilandeshwari, which is witnessed by all devotees. 

Water represents wisdom, and and flow of water represents learning. One who visits here with sincere devotion is blessed with wisdom and intelligence.

Tiruvanamalai | Arunachaleshwar | Fire: It is said that Goddess Parvati, for fun, closed the eyes of Lord Shiva, which brought darkness to the universe for 1000 years. As an answer to the prayer of Devotess, he appeared in the form of a fire column at Anamalai hills. 

Fire signifies purity, energy, and light.

Srikalahasti | Kalahasteeshwara Temple | Air: The white Shivling here is also known as Karpoora lingam, which is located on the place where the God of wind, Vayu Dev, prayed to Lord Shiva to bless him with his presence in each and every creature just like him. Impressed by his penance, Lord Shiva gave him the boon. 

Air signifies Life, without air there is no life. By worshipping Air one is worshipping the Shiv tattva present in each and everyone.

Chidambaram | Tillai Natraja | Sky: The idol worshipped here is of Lord Shiva in Ananda Tandava position. According to the legends, Lord Shiva eliminated the arrogance of the sages who lived here in the Tillai forest (mangrove forest). They believed that through magic and yagyas, God can be controlled. To break this arrogance of the sages, Lord Shiva defeated the snake, tiger, and elephant sent by the sages to harm Shiva. After defeating the demon Mayalakan, who resembles the arrogance and ignorance within all of us, Lord Shiva performed  Ananda Tandava to express the bliss. Sky depicts the hallowness which brings bliss after removing the curtain of arrogance. 

Do you know there are other, more revered temples of Lord Shiva, which are the Panch Kedar temples. Explore our Panch Kedar tour packages for a complete pilgrimage experience.