Panch Mahabhoot Temples
The cosmic world is made of Panch Mahabhoot or five gross elements. They are also referred to as panch tattva.Whether it is the individual human body or the larger cosmic body, essentially, they are made of five elements or the pancha bhutas – earth, water, fire, air and akasha.Pancha (Five) Bootham (Elements) Sthalam (Place) dictates five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, each representing the manifestation of the five prime elements of nature – The temples are located in, Tamil Nadu (four) and Andhra Pradesh (one). The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five shivlingam and each of the lingams representing Shiva in the temples have five different names based on the elements they represent. Shiva is said to have manifested himself in the form of-
ELEMENTS: SRI KALAHASTI (Air Vayu tatv)
Warm welcome on arrival at Chennai airport/railway station, we will start our drive to Tirupati Balaji temple.
En route, you will get to visit the SRI KALAHASTHI TEMPLE (dedicated to Lord Shiva), which represents one of the five elements, Air. Kalahasthi is one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India,
Sri kalasthii This temple is also famous for Rahu-Kethu Pooja. It is believed that performing this Pooja will ward the people from astrological effects of Rahu and Kethu
Later, we will proceed to Tirupathi to visit famous TIRUMALA TEMPLE. On arrival here check into the hotel. In the afternoon proceed for Darshan of LORD BALAJI (Venkateswara) that is very charming and delightful for tourists and visitors. Tirupati is one of the most revered sites of Hindu pilgrimage prominent for its LORD VENKATESWARA TEMPLE.
It is widely Known and acknowledgeable undoubtedly that this temple being the richest in India has a history way back to the 9th century A.D. when Pallavas, the rulers of Kancheepuram encouraged, managed and patronized this chiefly temple. This well prominent temple gained, accomplished and rose like a point in the heaven’s glory in the 15th Century A.D. under the majestically royal guardianship and protection of the Vijayanagara Emperors.
Later – return back to the hotel and stay for overnight there comfortably.
ELEMENT: EKAMBARESWARAR ( Earth, Prathvi tatve ) ARUNACHALESHWAR (Fire, Agni Tatve)
With heavy breakfast, we move ahead from Tirupathi to Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. EKAMBARESWARAR TEMPLE (Ekambaranathar Temple) significantly specifies the element of earth or Prithvi. Shiva is worshiped as Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar, and is represented by the lingam, with his idol referred to as Prithvi lingam. The temple complex covers 25 acres, and is one of the largest in India. This temple is the largest and one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city.
We then head to Thiruvannamalai, located at the base of Annamalai hills. ARUNACHALESHWAR or ANNAMALAIYAR TEMPLE signifies one of the five elements, the Pancha Bootha Stalams, the element of fire or Agni. The temple complex is stretched across 10 hectares of land. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Annamalaiyar and Unnamulai Amman being the most prominent. The Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated during the day of the full moon between November and December, and a huge beacon is lit atop the hill. It can be seen from miles around, and symbolizes the Shiva lingam of fire joining the sky. The day ends with an overnight stay at Thiruvannamalai.
ELEMENT: NATARAJAR TEMPLE (Sky, aakash Tatve)
After breakfast, we proceed to Chidambaram. THILLAI NATARAJAR TEMPLE is in the mains of the temples in Shaivism, which has signified and fostered performance in art, sculptures, architecture, and worship over two millennia.
It represents one of the five Pancha Bootha Stalams, the element of sky or akasha. The sculptures of Chidambaram inspired the postures of a dance form called Bharat Natyam. After the temple tour, continue driving to Kumbakonam. On arrival check in to your hotel for overnight stay.
ELEMENT: SRI JAMBUKESHWARAR TEMPLE (Water, Jal tatve)
Morning drive to Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) enroute you can visit TANJORE PRAKATHEESWARAR TEMPLE. After check in at hotel in Trichy, you can visit SRI JAMBUKESHWARAR TEMPLE.
JAMBUKESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVANAIKAVAL located in Srirangam Island is one of the five Pancha Bootha Stalams, the element of water or Neer in Tamil.
The sanctum of Jambukeshwara which is an underground water reserve is said to be always filled with water despite pumping out water daily. The temple hosts the annual NATYANJALI, a festival of classical Indian Dance and also has a school for training nadhaswaram, a classical pipe instrument in Tamil Nadu.
The glorious and mesmeric tour ends here, after leisurely breakfast you will be transferred to the Trichy airport/railway station for your departure.
