About the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam Yatra
The Pancha Bhoota Sthalams are five Shiva temples, each associated with one of the five elements: earth at Ekambareswarar (Kanchipuram), water at Jambukeswarar (Thiruvanaikaval), fire at Arunachalesvara (Tiruvannamalai), air at Srikalahasti, and space (akasha) at the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram.
Four are in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh, so the circuit fits well into a week in the south, often combined with other great temples such as Srirangam and Thanjavur.
The usual route
- Srikalahasti — air (Andhra Pradesh)
- Ekambareswarar, Kanchipuram — earth
- Arunachalesvara, Tiruvannamalai — fire
- Nataraja, Chidambaram — space
- Jambukeswarar, Thiruvanaikaval — water (next to Srirangam)
Routes vary by operator and starting city. Opening dates, timings and rules change — confirm with the temple or the official portal before you travel.
Temple guides for this yatra
Timings, aarti, how to reach, dress code and tips for each temple.
When to go
Year-round; October–March is the most comfortable weather. Karthigai Deepam at Tiruvannamalai (November–December) is a major festival.
Practical tips
- Many devotees walk the Girivalam around Arunachala hill at Tiruvannamalai, especially on full-moon nights.
- Traditional dress is expected at most of these temples; men may be asked to remove shirts in some sanctums.
- Chennai is a convenient start and end point.
Read before you go
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