Pancha Bhuta Sthalam

The Pancha Bhuta Sthalam (Tamil: பஞ்சபூதத் தலங்கள், Sanskrit: पञ्चभूत स्थलम्, romanized: Pañcabhūta Sthalam) refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva,^[1] each representing a manifestation of the five prime elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air, and ether.^[2] Pancha indicates "five," Bhuta means "elements," and Sthala means "place." The temples are located in South India, four in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams^[1] of the temples, with each lingam named on the element represented. All five temples are located around the 78°E and 79°E longitudes and between 10°N and 14°N latitudes.^[3]

The presiding deities are revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. Three temples in Tamil Nadu except the Chidambaram nataraja temple are maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. In the particular case of the Chidambaram nataraja temple the Sumpreme court of India has upheld the Dikshitars' entitletlement of a religious denomination ensuring administrative control over the temple, while quashing the appointment of an executive officer by the HRCE.

^ ^a ^b Ramaswamy 2007, pp. 301-302
^ A dictionary, Canarese and EnglishWilliam Reeve, Daniel Sanderson
^ "Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram. | Cuddalore District, Government of Tamilnadu | Sugar bowl of Tamil Nadu | India". Retrieved 2022-04-18.

[Ramaswamy-1] Ramaswamy 2007, pp. 301-302

[2] A dictionary, Canarese and EnglishWilliam Reeve, Daniel Sanderson

[3] "Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram. | Cuddalore District, Government of Tamilnadu | Sugar bowl of Tamil Nadu | India". Retrieved 2022-04-18.

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