Pancha Bhoota or Pancha Maha-Bhoota are the group of five basic / great elements, which, according to Hinduism, is the basis of all cosmic creation. These elements are: earth, water, fire, air, and space. These elements have different characteristics and these also account for different faculties of human experience. Whether it is the individual human body or the larger cosmic body, essentially, they are made of these five elements. In this, the first four elements are the active participants and space is the catalytic force. In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is worshipped as the embodiment of these elements of nature. The Chola Kings of South India, hence built five Shiva temples, known as Pancha Bhoota Stalam, deifying the five elements. Each shrine of Pancha Bhoota Stalam houses a lingam that represents Lord Shiva as the manifestation of each element. Pancha Bhoota Stalam are spread across the regions of South India, four in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh.
