Pancha Bootha Sthalams in Chennai

The Pancha Bootha Sthalams are dedicated to the Five Elements of Nature.

Earth (Bhoomi): Ekambareswarar Temple at Kanchipuram.
The famous Ekambareswarar Temple at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu is a Pancha Bootha Sthalam representing the element Earth (Bhoomi). Devi Parvati (as Kamakshi) is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here in the form of a Prithvi Lingam.

Within Chennai there are Ekambareswarar Temples in Broadway (Broadway Ekambareswarar Temple), Aminjikarai (Aminjikarai Ekambareswarar Temple) and Nanmangalam (Nanmangalam Ekambareswarar Temple).

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Water (Jala): Jambukeswarar Temple at Thiruvanaikaval.
The famous Jambukeswarar Temple at Thiruvanaikaval, Tamil Nadu is a Pancha Bootha Sthalam representing the element Water (Jala). Two Shiva Ganas born as elephant and spider (after being cursed) are said to have worshipped the Lord here in the form of a Lingam under a Jambu tree. The spider used to build a web over the Lingam to protect it from direct sunlight and falling leaves. The elephant worshipped it by bringing water in its trunk and pouring over the Shiva Lingam. During this act the elephant used to destroy the spider web. The spider out of anger one day bit the elephant inside its trunk while the elephant thrashed its trunk to kill the spider. Both died in the clash but Lord Shiva granted Moksha (liberation) to both of them due to their devotional services. Devi Parvati (as Akhilandeswari) is also said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here in the form of Jala Lingam (Lingam made of water).

On the Chennai suburb there is a Jambukeswarar Temple at Sembakkam. (Sembakkam Jambukeswarar Temple) and Korattur (Korattur Jambukeswarar Temple)

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Fire (Agni): Arunachaleswarar Temple at Thiruvannamalai.

The famous Arunachaleswarar Temple at Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu is a Pancha Bootha Sthalam representing the element Fire (Agni). It is said that Lord Shiva manifested in Thiruvannamalai as a column of fire. Lord Brahma and Vishnu tried to find the origin of the fire column towards the top and the bottom but could not find any end to it. The holy Arunachala mountain is considered as the representation of the column of fire itself. Devotees circumbulate around the mountain considering it as the Lingam of frozen fire. The Arunachala mountain is also associated with the life of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.

In Chennai there is an Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tondiarpet (Tondiarpet Arunachaleswarar Temple)

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Air (Vayu): Srikalahasti Temple at Srikalahasti.

The famous Kalahasteeswarar Temple at Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh is a Pancha Bootha Sthalam representing the element Air (Vayu). It is said that three devotees of Shiva, Sri (a spider), Kala (a serpent) and Hasti (an elephant) woshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a Lingam here. The spider weaved a web on top of the Shiva Lingam to protect it from dust and weather. The elephant used to bring water in its trunk and pour it over the Lingam. The snake used to adorn the Lingam with its gem. However one day the elephant without knowing the devotional services of Sri and Kala cleaned the Lingam with water and thereby removed the web and the gem. This resulted in a clash between the three and all of them died. Lord Shiva appeared and granted Moksha to all of them due to their devotional services. Srikalahasti is also the place where Kanappa Nayanar offered his eyes to the Shiva Lingam.

Within Chennai there is a Srikalahasti Temple at Parrys. (Parrys Kalahasteeswara (Kalahasteeswarar) Temple)

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Choolai Chidambareswarar (Nataraja) Temple

Sky (Akasa): Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram.

The famous Natarajar Temple at Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu is a Pancha Bootha Sthalam representing the element Sky (Akasa). Lord Shiva as Natarajar is said to be a cosmic dancer who dances the Ananda Tandava (Dance of Bliss).

Within Chennai there is a Natarajar (Chidambareswarar) Temple in Choolai. (Choolai Chidambareswarar (Nataraja) Temple)

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