PANJA BOOTHA STHALAMS
Jambukeswarar Temple at Tiruvanaikovil- Water
This ancient temple dedicated to Shiva (Jambukeswara) and Parvati (Akhilandeswari) is one of the foremost Saivite shrines in Tamilnadu. Located in the Srirangam island (near Tiruchirappalli) near one of the holiest of Vaishnavite shrines Tiruvarangam, this large temple celebrates Shiva as Jambukeswara, an embodiment of the element water and is often referred to as Appustalam .
Sri Kalahasthi Temple at Srikalahasthi - Air
This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Siva is one of the panchabhootha stalams (temples celebrating Lord Siva as the embodiment of the primary elements), air being the element. Sri Kalahasthi Temple is in fact considered as the Kailash of the south or Dakshin Kailash. The protector of devotees, the granter of boons, the merciful Lord Siva, the Three-eyed, manifested in the form of Vayu linga in the Bilwaka grove on the banks of river Suvarnamukhi. Lord Siva, manifest in the form of Vayu linga, is known to the devotees as Sri Kalahastheeswara.
Ekambareswarar Temple at Kanchipuram - Earth
This vast temple with high rising Gopurams dominates the skyline of Kanchipuram the historic capital of the Pallavas. Kanchipuram - a temple town is considered to be the foremost among the seven prime pilgrimage centers in India. Along with Mamallapuram and Tirukkalunkunram, this town attracts the attention of several tourists in Chennai. Shiva is the presiding deity here, worshipped as Prithvi Lingam, symbolizing earth - one of the five primordial elements. No separate shrine for Parvati exists here.
Chidambaram Natarajar Temple at Chidambaram-Space
Chidambaram is one of the most ancient and most celebrated of shrines in India. It is of great religious as well as historic and cultural significance. Chidambaram is associated with Nataraja, or Shiva in his Ananda Tandava pose (the Cosmic Dance of bliss) in the cosmic golden hall and the hall of consciousness (Chit Sabha). Shiva is also worshipped in the "formless form" of the Chidambara Rahasyam, while the temple is known for its Akasa Lingam, an embodiment of Shiva as the formless Space. The word "Koyil" or temple in the Tamil Saivite tradition refers to none other than the Chidambaram Nataraja temple
The Annamalaiyar Temple at Tiruvannamalai - Fire
It is one of the Pancha (five) Bhutasthalas. Tiruvannamalai is the Thejo sthalam - Fire.The Tiruvannamalai temple owes its grandeur to four lofty towers - the eastern one called Rajagopuram is the tallest and measures 217 feet, the western is called the Pey gopuram, the southern - Tirumanjana gopuram and Northern - Ammani Amma gopuram. It has five prakarams, and the walls are broad and high, resembling the rampart wall of a fort. In each of the prakara, there are tanks and many mini shrines.