Temples of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry: Temple Group #1 - Pancha Bhootha Sthalangal

பஞ்ச பூத தலங்கள்

There are five important and ancient Sivan temples that are collectively referred to as the Pancha Bootha Sthalams. Pancha means five and bootha stands for the elements. They each venerate Lord Siva as a manifestation of the five elements of nature: Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Ether or Sky. These are very ancient temples and all are Paadal Petra Sthalams. They have been praised by the Tamil Saivite saints in the Thevaram and thus they have existed at least since the 7th century. They are likely much older. Every dynasty that has ruled the Tamil lands has contributed immensely to these temples. They are vast temples with a large number of exquisite sculptures, inscriptions and tall and intricate gopurams. They are important pilgrimage sites for Saivite Hindus and draw large crowds during festivals and special days. Four of the temples are located in present day Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh just across the border from Tamil Nadu

1. The Chidambaram Nataraja Temple: Also known as the Thillai Nataraja Temple, this temple venerates the Sky or Ether. It is the holiest Sivan temple in the Tamil Thirumurai or Holy Canon of devotional texts. In many instances it is referred to simply as the Koil (temple) signifying its great importance. Here the Lord is celebrated in his formless state as emptiness instead of a lingam. The Chidambara Rahasiyam (the secret of Chidambaram) is an empty room in the sanctum sanctorum and symbolizes the belief that the Lord has no form and it is we who imagine him in various forms. Here the Lord is also venerated as Nataraja, the Lord of the Cosmic Dance. The familiar form of Lord Nataraja is consecrated here. He performs the Ananda Thandavam (the Dance of Bliss) here. The temple is quite ancient and its origins are obscure. It was present in the 6th century, but the present structures date back to the 9th century. The Chola emperors were very fond of this temple and the Nataraja here was their Kuladheivam (clan deity). At 40 acres in area, it is a large temple complex and is one of the largest in India.

2. The Annamalaiyar Temple at Thiruvannamalai : This temple celebrates Fire. It draws large numbers of people for its spiritual significance. It has attracted ascetics in search of spiritual meaning from time immemorial. The Lord manifests as the Agnilingam here. Many legends are attributed to this site including the one about the time the Lord bade Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to find the top and bottom of the pillar of fire he manifested as here at this much venerated site. Built beside the holy Annamalai hill, it is again one of the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu. Contributions to its construction have been made by various dynasties over the centuries including the Cholas. The Hoysalas credited with later construction. It has impressive, tall gopurams on all cardinal directions. The East gopuram, at 217 feet is one of the tallest in India. At 24 acres the temple is one of the largest active temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every Pournami (full moon day) thousands gather here to circumambulate the holy hill in a 14km pathway known as the Girivalam.

3. The Jambukeswarar Temple at Thiruvanaikaval: This temple is for Water. Situated on the island of Srirangam, near the very famous Ranganathar temple, it is in Trichy or Thiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu. Again its antiquity is difficult to ascertain. It is a very ancient temple and is believed to have existed for at least 1800 years. Legend says that the Sangam era Chola king Kochengannan built it. It is celebrated in the Thevaram and thus has been here since the early 7th century at least. The cholas and later dynasties including the Hoysalas have contributed much to this temple. The Lord here is venerated as the Appulingam. The lingam is bathed in a stream of water that never dries up. The sculptures here are well known for their lifelike perfection. Spread over 18 acres it is again a vast temple with multiple prakarams and is one of the largest Sivan temples.

4. The Ekambareswarar Temple at Kanchipuram: Here the Earth is venerated. This ancient temple is in the heart of historic Kanchipuram. Once the capital city of the Pallava emperors, the historic city of Kanchipuram is home to many important temples. The Ekambareswarar is one the most most ancient and important temples in Kanchipuram. Legend says that Goddess Parvathi herself consecrated the lingam here made of sand near a mango tree. The lingam is known as the Prithvilingam. Only jasmine oil is used to do Abishekam here and not water to preserve the lingam and prevent erosion. The temple has been recorded to have existed as far back as the early 7th century but is likely older. It is 18 acres in area and is one of the largest Sivan temples. The mango tree here which is the Sthala virutcham is believed to be 3000 years old. The 190 feet high Rajagopuram is one of the tallest in India.

5. The Kalahasteeswarar Temple at Srikalahasti: Here the Lord is celebrated as the Wind or Air. This ancient temple is situated on the Swarnamukhi River in Andhra Pradesh just across from the northern border of Tamil Nadu and is quite close to Chennai. Although it is now in Andhra Pradesh in modern day India, it was likely at the northern border of the traditional Tamil Country. The initial construction is believed to have started in the 5th century. Rajendra Chola I renovated the temple in the 11th century and many other Chola kings have contributed to its construction. The beautiful 120 feet rajagopuram was built by the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya in 1512. The rajagopuram collapsed in 2010 as it was destabilized by urban expansion around it. It has been rebuilt now. The legend of Kannappa Nayanar, the tribal devotee of Lord Siva who was willing to donate his eyes to the Lord, is connected to this site. The Lord manifests here as the Vayulingam. It is considered a Rahu-Kethu Parikarasthalam.

Courtesy Google Maps

Access:

The Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is best accessed from Pondicherry. Although there are local accommodation choices, Pondicherry offers a wider variety of hotel choices. The drive is about an hour in good traffic. As it is a large temple, temple goers should budget at least an hour or two depending on their interests. As such it is a half day trip. If you leave in the morning you can be back in Pondicherry for lunch,

There is some accommodation in Thiruvannamalai but Pondicherry might also be an option. The drive is about 2 hours. So it is more of a day trip.

For the Thiruvanaikaval Temple the best place to stay is Trichy or Thiruchirapalli. There are plenty of quality accommodation.

The Ekambareswarar is in Kanchipuram and there are good accommodation choices in Kanchipuram itself. If traveling from Chennai the drive is around 1.5 hours in good traffic. As there are other important temples in Kanchipuram to visit, it is at least a day trip.

The Srikalahasti temple can be accessed from Chennai. It is 2 hour drive and the visit will likely need a day to accomplish. As the temple can be very busy with long lines, adequate time should be alotted. You should set aside at least two hours for the temple visit itself.