Forget about India, the state of Tamil Nadu itself has over 33000 ancient temples of 800 to 5000 years old, reasonable size and architect. Many of these temples are unknown, some may be known nearby regions.
I will give examples or concepts now promoted to bring such temples into limelight, with reasonable success, in Tirunelveli District (just one of 33 districts) of Tamil Nadu.
1.Nava Tirupati (9 temples of Vishnu, to get rid of afflictions of each planet)
2.Nava Kailasam
3.Pancha Bhuta Sthalams.
I will also detail, one unknown Temple group, mentioned in 3rd point:
PANCHA BHOOTA STALAMS NEAR SANKARANKOVIL, TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT
1.Pancha Bhoota Stalam refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of the five prime elements of nature: land, water, air, sky, and fire. Pancha indicates "five," Bhoota means "elements," and Stala means "place."
2.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 of the temples, with each lingam named based on the element represented
PANCHA BHOOTHA STHALAM
EARTH
PRITHVI LINGAM-
KANCHIPURAM-
EKAMBARESWAR
WATER
JAMBU LINGAM-
THIRUVANAIKAL-
JAMBUKESHWAR
FIRE
AGNI LINGAM-
THIRUVANNAMALAI-
ANNAMALAI
AIR
VAYU LINGAM-
SRI KALAHASTHI-
SRIKALAHATISWAR
SPACE
AKASA LINGAM-
CHIDAMBARAM-
NATARAJA
3. In Tirunelveli District, you can find Pancha Bhootha Sthalams located in and around Sankarankovil, Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu.
PANCHA BHOOTHA STHALAM NEAR SANKARANKOVIL
EARTH
PRITHVI LINGAM-
SANKARANKOVIL-
SANKARANARAYANAR
WATER
JAMBU LINGAM-
DHARUGAPURAM-
MATHIYASTHANATHAR
FIRE
AGNI LINGAM-
KARIVALAMVANDHANALLUR-
PALVANNANATHAR
AIR
VAYU LINGAM-
THENMALAI-
THIRIPURANATHER
SPACE
AKASA LINGAM-
DEVADANAN-
NACHADAITHAVIRTHUARULIYANATHAR
4. According to Hinduism, life and the various species originated by the combination of planetary globes and the five manifestations of nature namely air, water, fire, land and sky. Bhoota in Sanskrit means compound and maha bhoota indicates a big compound.
5. According to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system, the equilibrium of the body with the pancha bhoota is governed by the principles of tridoshas -kaph(phlegm), pitta(bile), vayu(gas), dhātu and malas(waste products).
6.Rabindranath Tagore, a nobel lauerate for literature, in his poem, Pancha bhoota, has explained the emotional faculty of the human mind is keenly sensitive to all objects of light, colour, sound, effect of speed, sun, moon and stars.
7.These five celebrated Ishwarams or Pancha Ishwaram Temples were important landmarks of the country and had India's adoration.
1.Nachadai Thavirththu Aruliyanathar Temple, Devadanam, Virudhunagar
Nachadai Thavirththu Aruliyanathar Temple is a Shiva Temple located at Devadanam Village in Rajapalayam Taluk in Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Nachadai Thavirththu Aruliyanathar/ Ammai Appan and the Mother is called as Thavam Petra Nayagi. The Temple is considered as equivalent to Chidambaram Nataraja Temple.
This is one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams around Sankarankovil. Pancha Bhuta Sthalam refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of the five prime elements of nature: land, water, fire, air, space. Pancha indicates “Five” Bhuta means “Elements” and Sthala means “Place”. The temples are located around Sankarankovil. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams of the temple, with each lingam named based on the element represented.
Element: This sthalam is called as “Agaya Sthalam”(Sky Element).
Temple: Temple is built by Cholas. Presiding deity is called as Nachadai Thavirththu Aruliyanathar/ Ammai Appan and the Mother is called as Thavam Petra Nayagi. There is a sculpture of Tortoise at the bottom of Dwajasthambam. There are three shrines of Shiva, Kan keduththavar, Kan koduththavar and Kozhuntheeswarar. Lord Brahma can be found in meditation form in this temple.
Festival: 10 days Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, Vaikasi Visagam, Masi Magam, Navaratri, Maha Sivaratriand Skanda Shasti are celebrated here. People visit all Pancha Bhuta Sthalams during Sivaratri festival.
Connectivity: The temple is located at about 7kms from Sivagiri; 16kms from Thenmalai; 23kms from Karivalamvandhanallur; 24kms from Dharugapuram; 34kms from Sankarankovil; 17kms from Rajapalayam; 55kms from Tenkasi; 98kms from Tirunelveli; The temple is situated in Rajapalayam to Tenkasi Route. The temple is situated 2kms from Devadanam Village.
2.Thiripuranathar Temple, Thenmalai, Tirunelveli
Thiripuranathar Temple is a Shiva Temple located at Thenmalai Village in Vasudevanallur Taluk in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Thiripuranathar and the Mother is called as Shivaparipoorni. The Temple is considered as equivalent to Sri Kalahasthi Temple. The Temple is famous for Sarpa Pariharam. The Temple is maintained by Sivagiri Zamin.
This is one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams around Sankarankovil. Pancha Bhuta Sthalam refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of the five prime elements of nature: land, water, fire, air, space. Pancha indicates “Five” Bhuta means “Elements” and Sthala means “Place”. The temples are located around Sankarankovil. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams of the temple, with each lingam named based on the element represented.
Element: This sthalam is called as “Vayu Sthalam” (Air Element).
Temple: The temple is west facing. The Prime deity is called as Thiripuranathar and the Mother is called as Shivaparipoorni. There is no window in the Sanctum.
Sthala Vriksham is Vilva Tree.
Festival: Paurnami Girivalam around the temple is very famous here.
Connectivity: The temple is located at about 9kms from Sivagiri; 11kms from Karivalamvandanallur; 14kms from Devathanam, 19kms from Dharugapuram; 22kms from Sankarankovil; 31kms from Rajapalayam; 55kms from Tenkasi; 86kms from Tirunelveli; The temple is situated in Rajapalayam to Tenkasi Route. Regular busses are available from Rajapalayam.
3.Palvannanathar Temple, Karivalamvandanallur, Tirunelveli
Palvannanathar Temple is a Shiva Temple located at Karivalamvandanallur Village in Sankarankovil Taluk in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Palvannanathar Thirukula easar / Mugalingar and the Mother is called as Oppanaiammal.
The Temple is considered as equivalent to Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple.
The Temple is famous for Sukhra Parihara Sthalam. People pray here for Child boon and to remove marriage obstacles.
This is one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams around Sankarankovil. Pancha Bhuta Sthalam refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of the five prime elements of nature: land, water, fire, air, space. Pancha indicates “Five” Bhuta means “Elements” and Sthala means “Place”. The temples are located around Sankarankovil. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams of the temple, with each lingam named based on the element represented.
Element: This sthalam is called as “Agni Sthalam”(Fire Element).
Temple: The temple is east facing temple with 9 tiered Gopuram. The Prime deity is called as Palvannanathar Thirukula easar / Mugalingar and the Mother is called as Oppanaiammal. The temple is built by Puli Devan.
Sthala Vriksham is Kala Tree; Theerthams associated with this temple is Shukra Theertham and Nadhi is Nitcheba nadhi.
Festival: Avani Thapasu similar to Sankarankovil Thapasu is celebrated here.
Connectivity: The temple is located at about 9kms from Thenmalai; 25kms from Devathanam, 19kms from Dharugapuram; 11kms from Sankarankovil; 25kms from Rajapalayam; 55kms from Tenkasi; 75kms from Tirunelveli; The temple is situated in Rajapalayam to Sankarankovil Route.
4.Mathyasthanathar Temple, Dharugapuram, Tirunelveli
Mathyasthanathar Temple is a Shiva Temple located at Dharugapuram, Village in Vasudevanallur Taluk in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Mathyasthanathar / Pinakkarutha Peruman and the Mother is called as Akilandeswari. The Temple is considered as equivalent to Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeshwarar Temple. The Temple is famous for Guru Parihara Sthalam.
This is one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams around Sankarankovil. Pancha Bhuta Sthalam refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of the five prime elements of nature: land, water, fire, air, space. Pancha indicates “Five” Bhuta means “Elements” and Sthala means “Place”. The temples are located around Sankarankovil. The five elements are believed to be enshrined in the five lingams of the temple, with each lingam named based on the element represented.
Element: This sthalam is called as “Neer Sthalam”(Water Element).
Temple: Temple is believed to be 1500 years old. The temple is being traditionally maintained by Thalaivan Kottai Zamin.
Sthala Vriksham is Mango Tree; There was a spring in the sanctum but it is permanently closed.
Festival: People visit all Pancha Bhuta Sthalams during Sivaratri festival.
Connectivity: The temple is located at about 5kms from Vasudevanallur; 8kms from Chinthamani; 10kms from Puliangudi; 19kms from Thenmalai; 23kms from Devathanam, 20kms from Karivalamvandhanallur; 24kms from Dharugapuram; 14kms from Sankarankovil; 40kms from Rajapalayam; 38kms from Tenkasi; 79kms from Tirunelveli; The temple is situated in Rajapalayam to Tenkasi Route.
5.Sankara Narayanan Temple, Sankaran Kovil, Tirunelveli
Sankara Narayanan Temple is dedicated to God Sankara Narayanan, located at Sankaran Kovil, Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. The temple was built by Pandya King Ukkira Pandyan in 11th Century. The temple also gives the town its name. In this temple you can see an unusual sight of Shiva and Vishnu put in the same sanctum sanctorum.
Shiva lingams usually represent one particular natural element. This temple is considered to be representing one of the five elements Nilam (Land / Prithvi /Earth). In this area, the other being Karivalam Vandha Nallur (Agni / Fire), Dharukapuram (Neer / Water / Jal), Thenmalai (Vayu) and Devathanam (Sky / Akash / Sky)
The Temple is considered as equivalent to Kanchipuram Ekambareswar Temple.
Sankarankovil is the second largest town in the district.
Element: This sthalam is called as “Nilam” (Land / Prithvi /Earth Element)
Temple: The Temple is a representation of fusion of two faiths Saivism and Vaishnavism.The main deities in the temple are Sankara Lingam (Southern Portion inside the temple) and Gomathy Amman (Northern Portion of the Temple). There is another deity in between to that of two is of Sankara Narayanar.
Festival: It is very noted for the Adi Thapasu Festival.
Prasad: Puthuman or ant hill sand is offered as Prasad to the devotees which can cure a lot of diseases.
Connectivity: Sankara Narayanan Temple is located at Sankaran Kovil, Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. Sankaran Kovil is situated in the train route from Chennai Shencottah route. Sankaran Kovil is located at about 65kms from Tirunelveli; 20kms from Vasudevanallur; 30kms from Kadayanallur; 36kms from Rajapalayam; 44kms from Tenkasi; 40kms from Kovilpatti;110 kms from Thooththukkudi and 140kms from Madurai. Bus and Train facilities are available from Madurai. Nearest Airports are Madurai, Thooththukkudi and Thiruvananthapuram.e
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