Significance of Lord Shiva & Linga Pooja
In our Sanathana Dharma {Hindhu Mythology} Lord Shiva is a god for Destroyer & one of the supreme power of all gods. This entire world is madeup of five elaments called Pancha Bhootha, and also the worship of Lord Shiva is in the form of Linga {Which is a symbol of male organ}. In India We have a number of many Swayam vyaktha Punya kshetra of lord shiva, among them Pancha Bhoota lingas refers to the Pancha Bhoota sthalams, five temples dedicated to the lord Shiva. These five temples denote the five elements of nature i.e. Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Sky. Out of these five temples, four are present in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh. The Pancha Bhoota sthalams are important landmarks of the country. The significance of Pancha Bhootha Linga Kshetra described as below.
The procedure of Shiva Panchayathana Pooja:
Lord Shiva also named as Parameshwara, Sankara, Bhava, Hara, Rudhra and many forms of names. The worship of Lord Sankara is on the form of Linga pooja. Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya explained the Advaita Siddhanta & the way of Panchayathana Pooja perform to 5 Deities of God like: Vishnu, Shiva, Shakthi, Ganapathi & Surya. Among all the Sacred places of India, The Five forms of Shiva {Pancha Bhootha Linga} are located in South India. The Shiva panchayathana pooja vidhi & significance of Pancha bhootha linga kshetra as below.
Order here for Shiva Panchayathana Pooja
Significance of Pancha Bhoota Kshetra or Pancha Bhoota Lingas:
Ekambareshwara temple – Earth element
Ekambareshwara temple is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. In this temple lord shiva is represented by lingam made out of sand called as Prithvi Lingam. Abhishekam to siva lingam is performed with jasmine oil to prevent any damage to the sand made lingam.
Jambukeshwara temple -Water element
Jambukeshwara temple is located in Thiruvanaikaval, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The lingam in this temple is called as Jambu Lingam. A stream of water flows under the lingam and hence the name. As per puranas, Akhilandeshwari devi found the Jambu forest to perform her japam. She made a lingam out of water and worshipped that lingam. Lord shiva is called as adi guru means highest teacher. Water represents knowledge and flow of water represents learning.
Arunachaleshwara temple – Fire element
Arunachaleshwara temple is located in Annamalai hills, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. This is the eighth largest temple in india. As per puranas, Goddess Parvathi devi once closed lord shivas eyes. This led to a blackout for thousands of years in the universe, then lord shiva appeared as a column of fire in Annamalai hills in Thiruvannamalai. The lingam in this temple is called Jyothi lingam.
Kalahastheeswara temple – Air element
Kalahastheeswara temple is located on the bank of river Swarnamukhi in Srikalahasthi, Andhra Pradesh. Sri kalahasthi means Sri- spider, kala – snake, hasthi – an elephant. The lingam is white in color and is belived to be swayambhu. The lingam represents air element and called as Vayu lingam. Sri kalahastheeswara temple is famous for Rahu ketu poojas.
The Thillai Nataraja temple – Sky element
The Thillai Nataraja temple is located in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. In this temple lord shiva can be seen as an idol rather than a lingam and is called as akasa lingam. As per the legend, lord shiva was once passing through a forest, some sages who believed that they can control god with magic enchanted few mantras and invoked snakes, elephants, tigers and finally Mulyankan, a demon. But lord shiva killed them and did the Ananda thandava. The idol in Chidambaram represents lord shiva performing Ananda thandava.
Check Here Shiva Panchakshari Stotram with Meaning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=CYJ4udIsfBc&feature=emb_logo