Ashta Bairava

EIGHT TYPES OF BAIRAVA & THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

1. Asidanga Bhairava – Gives Creative Ability

2. Guru Bhairava – Divine Educator


3. Chanda Bhairava – Gives incredible energy, cuts competition and rivals


4. Kroda Bhairava - Gives You the Power to Take Massive Action


5. Unmatta Bhairava – Controls Negative Ego and Harmful Self Talk


6. Kapala Bhairava – Ends All Unrewarding Work and Action


7. Bhishana Bhairava – Obliterates Evil Spirits and Negativity


8. Samhara Bhairava – Complete Dissolution of Old Negative Karma

Akasha Lingam

‎5. Akasha Linga

Kshetra – Chidambaram 

The confluence of great art, vibrant religion and esoteric philosophy; the meeting point of great artists, poets, sages and the Gods; Chidambaram is the only place on earth that can boast of all this and more. It is one of the very rare shrines where Shiva can be worshipped in human form in the inner sanctum itself and where the moola moorti itself is the utsava moorti too. In all other shrines, Shiva is represented only by the Linga. 

The panchaloha idol of Lord Nataraja is a beautifully sculpted piece and is the zenith of art. It reveals the power of the Lord as marvelously as it projects His joyous Ananda Tandava. The symmetry of the arms, legs and body, dancing with perfect rhythm, coupled with the expression of joy, confidence, valour, peace, sublimity and infinite compassion on the face, present a picture of the Greatest Artist and the Supreme Dancer. The Chitsabha which is graced by the dancing Nataraja idol is the inmost sanctum of the temple and the Kanakasabha is a mantapa situated just in front of the Chitsabha.

Vayu Lingam

‎4. Vayu Linga

Kshetra – Kalahasti 

This is the only panchabhoota kshetra outside Tamil Nadu state. Situate in Andhra Pradesh near Tirupati, Kalahasti is one of the most sacred Shaivite shrines. The vayu linga is housed in a vast temple that abounds in sculptural wealth adjacent to the hill on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. In the inner sanctum, there is a lamp which keeps flickering signifying the air element.

Tejo Lingam

3. Tejo Linga

Kshetra – Tiruvannamalai

Arunachala is one of the oldest and most sacred of India’s holy places. Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, the Sage of Arunachala, declared it to be the heart of the earth, the spiritual centre of the world. Arunachala is called Tiruvannamalai, the hill which cannot be reached, in Tamil. The Shiva linga here is a manifestation of fire. Linga worship is supposed to have begun here. The temple is one of the largest in India. The pradakshina of circumambulation of the hill is considered the most important form of worship to the Lord.

Appu Lingam

‎2. Appu Lingam

Kshetra – Tiruvanaikkaval

Tiruchirappali or Trichy, as it is called now, is at the geographical centre of the state ofTamilnadu and is a great pilgrim centre. Here is situated the temple dedicated to Lord Jambukeshwara and Goddess Akhilandeshwari. A forest of Jambu trees existed near a tank here and Lord Shiva is said to have manifested under one of the trees as a Linga. The sthala vruksha is the jambu tree and hence the name Jambukeshvaram for the place itself. The Puranas say that Goddess Parvati made a linga out of water particles and worshipped it here. Water is always present in the inner shrine of Lord Jambukeshwara even during peak summer testifying to the nature of the element the Lord represents here.

Prithvi Lingam

‎1. Prithvi Linga

Kshetra - Kanchipuram 

Kanchipuram in North Tamil Nadu is a great seat of religion, culture and education. It is hailed as “Nagareshu Kanchi”, the best among cities. The principal deity of Kanchipuram is Kamakshi and the deities of all the shrines in Kanchipuram face her temple. The Linga which is believed to be made of sand by Goddess Parvathi herself is the prithvi linga – that is the central deity of Ekamreshwara temple here. Ekamreshwara means Lord of the solitary mango, which is the sthala vruksha.