Pilgrims and religious worshippers will soon observe Maha Shivaratri on February 26, a celebration that honours Lord Shiva. On this day, people celebrate the wedding of Shiva and the Goddess Parvati by chanting prayers, fasting and meditating on virtues such as honesty, charity and forgiveness.

　　While there are several big and small Shiva temples all over India—the most renowned of which are the 12 Jyotirlingas—there is a group of five religious sites that are also important for Shaivites (Shiva devotees): the Pancha Bhuta Sthalam temples.

　　The name refers to five temples, all of which are dedicated to Shiva, that represent the manifestation of the five prime elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air and ether. Pancha means “five,” Bhuta means “elements,” and Sthala means “place.” Four of them are located in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams of the temples, with each lingam named after the element represented.

　　Here’s what you need to know about all five Pancha Bhuta Sthalam temples.

　　The Sri Ekambareswarar Temple (Earth)

　　This vast temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is spread over 25 acres of land and is one of the most ancient in India, having been in existence since at least 600 CE. While it is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as Ekambareswarar, the temple also houses the Nilathingal Thundam Perumal temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the 108 Divya Desams.

　　Walking into the Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, you will be amazed at the architectural peculiarities that make the complex a masterpiece in itself. Four majestic gateway towers grace the entrance of the temple complex. The southern tower is 11 stories tall and one of the tallest of its kind in the country. The temple also houses many magnificent halls, the most notable being the thousand-pillared hall, which was built during the Vijayanagara period. It was during the 9th century that the Chola dynasty built the present masonry structure of the temple. Later expansions were made possible by the Vijayanagara kings. The inner precinct of the temple is embellished with an array of Shiva lingams, the most important of which is the Prithvi Lingam.

　　Getting There

　　The closest airport is Chennai International (MAA), 72 kilometres away. The nearest railhead is Kanchipuram station (CJ).

　　Jambukeswarar Temple (Water)

　　Located in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, this temple is home to the Appu Lingam and is situated between two rivers, the Kaveri and Kollidam. It was constructed by the Chola dynasty and is unique for having an underground stream in its sanctum that is always filled with water.

　　Legend says that Parvati once mocked Shiva's penance for the betterment of the world. Wanting to teach her a lesson, Shiva banished her to Earth. Taking the form of Akilandeswari as per Shiva's wish, she found a jambu (plum) forest wherein to conduct her penance. After making a lingam out of the waters of the Kaveri, she commenced her worship.

　　The temple itself has five enclosures. The massive outer wall covering the fifth precinct, known as the Vibudi Prakara, stretches over a mile and is two feet thick and over 25 feet high. The fourth precinct contains a hall with 796 pillars.

　　Getting There

　　The closest airport is Tiruchirappalli International (TRZ). The nearest railhead is Tiruchirappalli Junction (TPJ).

　　Arunchalaeswarar Temple (Fire)

　　Nestled amid the Tiruvannamalai Hills of Tamil Nadu lies a majestic jewel of the ancient world—the Arunchalaeswarar Temple. A masterpiece of art and architecture, this sacred site has withstood the passage of time and remains an enduring symbol of spiritual devotion and religious fervour.

　　At the heart of the temple lies the Annamalaiyar Lingam—also known as the Agni Lingam; it is a sublime symbol of the cosmic energy that binds the universe together. The history of the temple stretches back to the Chola dynasty in the 9th century. However, the Vijayanagara Empire and the Nayakkars also contributed to the temple's magnificence. The temple's design is a stunning amalgamation of several architectural styles, including Dravidian, Vijayanagara and Chola; in fact, every corner of the building is adorned with exquisite carvings and sculptures that reflect a bygone era of kings and warriors.

　　One of the best times to visit this temple is during the Karthigai Deepam festival, which is held annually during the month of Karthigai. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and is an enchanting spectacle that lights up the night sky. The lighting of the enormous lamp atop the hill is a visual that you will never forget.

　　Getting There

　　The closest airport is Chennai International (MAA), 173 kilometres away. The nearest railhead is Tiruvannamalai station (TNM).

　　Srikalahasti Temple (Air)

　　The Kalahastiswara Swamy Temple in Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh, is an important Shaivite pilgrimage centre, which has earned it the moniker of “Dakshina Kasi.” It enshrines the Vayu Lingam, with devotees noting that a lit lamp inside the room constantly flickers even though there is no apparent source of air.

　　Legend has it that a spider (sri), snake (kala) and elephant (hasti) separately chanced upon a lingam in a forest and started to worship it. The spider spun a web around it, the snake placed stones nearby and the elephant carried water in his trunk to wash it. However, they were not aware of each other’s existence, and so the snake's stones inadvertently destroyed the web. When they eventually found out about the other's actions, they fought, which ended after the elephant crushed the spider and speared the snake with his tusk. The snake managed to bite the elephant, who died due to the poison. It is said that Shiva was impressed with their piety and so the temple was named after his three ardent devotees.

　　The picturesque shrine stands by the Swarnamukhi River and offers stunning views of the Kalahstiswara Temple and the surrounding landscape. To its south is the Manikanteswara Temple, which was built by the Cholas in the 12th century. The Srikalahasti Temple is the only one of its kind in India to remain open during solar and lunar eclipses.

　　Getting There

　　The closest airport and railhead is in Tirupati, 23 kilometres away.

　　Thillai Nataraja Temple (Ether)

　　Also referred as the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, this Hindu temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Nataraja, the form of Shiva as the lord of dance. The present temple was built in the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Chola dynasty. Most of the temple's surviving plan, architecture and structure are from the late 12th and early 13th centuries, with later additions made in a similar style.

　　The temple’s architecture symbolises the connection between the arts and spirituality, creative activity and the divine. For instance, the wall carvings display all the 108 karanas from the “Natya Shastra” by Bharata Muni; these postures form the foundation of Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance tradition.

　　The Shiva sanctum is unusual as it does not have a lingam; rather, it has the Chit Sabha (“consciousness gathering”), which is an image of Shiva as Nataraja. Facing the Chit Sabha is the Kanaka Sabha (“the gathering of dancers”). These two sanctum spaces are connected by five silver gilded steps called the panchakshara. The ceiling of the Chit Sabha is made of wooden pillars coated with gold, while the Kanaka Sabha is copper coloured.

　　Getting There

　　The closest airport is Tiruchirappalli International (TRZ), 155 kilometres away. The nearest railhead is Chidambaram (CDM).