AT A GLANCE

PANCHA BHUTHA STHALAS: Lingams representing five elements
Kanchipuram (Prithvi Lingam -- Earth)
Tiruvannamalai (Jyothir Lingam -- Fire)
Tiruvanaikkaval (Appu Lingam -- Water)
Sri Kalahasti (Vayu Lingam -- Wind)
Chidambaram (Akash Lingam -- Ether)

108 TIRUPATIS: These Vishnu shrines, situated all over India, are revered highly by Vaishnavites.

NAVA GRAIL A STHALAS: Temples representing the nine planets
Suryanarcoil -- Surya
Tirupati and Thingalore -- Chandra
Palani & Vaitheeswarancoil -- Angaraha
Madurai & Tiruvengadu -- Budha
Tiruchendur & Alangudi -- Guru
Srirangam & Kanchanur -- Shukra
Thirunallar & Kuchanur -- Sani
Sri Kalahasti & Tirunageswaram -- Rahu
Sri Kalahasti & Kizhaperumpallam -- Kethu

ARUPADAI VEEDU: Six abodes of Lord Muruga
Thirupparankundram
Tiruchendur
Palani
Swamimalai
Tiruthani
Pazhamudircholai

SIX THANDAVA STHALAS: Where Siva performed different dances
Chidambaram -- Urdhwa Thandavam
Perur -- Ananda Thandavam
Thiruvarur -- Ajabha Thandavam
Madurai -- Gnanasundara Thandavam
Pukkoliyur -- Urdhwa Thandavam
Thirumurugan Poondi -- Bhrama Thandavam

ASHTA VEERATTANAM: Eight places where Siva punished asuras
Thirukkandiyur -- Siva pinched off the fifth head of Brahma
Thirukkovilur -- Anthakasura was killed
Thiruvathigai -- Thripuram was burnt
Thiruppariyalur -- Dakshan's head was pinched off
Thiruvirkudi -- Jalandarasura was killed
Vazhuvur -- Gajasura was annihilated
Thirukurukkai -- Kaman was burnt
Thirukadayur -- Yama was punished

SAPTHA VIDANGA STHALAS: Swayambu Lingams not chisselled by any instrument. The processional deities perform unique dances.
Thiruvarur -- Veedhi Vidangar -- Asaba Natanam
Thirunallar -- Nagara Vidangar -- Unmatha Natanam
Nagapattinam -- Sundara Vidangar--Paaraavaara
Tharanga Natanam
Thirukarayil -- Adi Vidangar -- Kukkuda Natanam
Thirukkolili -- Avani Vidangar -- Bringa Natanam
Thiruvoimur -- Neela Vidangar -- Kamala Natanam
Thirumaraikadu (Vedaranyam) -- Bhuvani Vidangar
Hamsa Paada Natanam

PANCHA SABHA: Where Lord Siva performed different dances
Thiruvalankadu -- Rathna Sabha
Chidambaram -- Kanaka Sabha or Ponnambalam
Madurai -- Rajatha Sabha or Velliambalam
Tirunelveli -- Thambra Sabha
Courtallam -- Chitra Sabha

PANCHA ARANYAM: Forests where Lord Siva appeared as Swayambu Lingam
Naimisaranyam (Thiruverkolam)
Vataranyam (Thiruvelankadu)
Veeksharanyam (Thiruvallur)
Vamsaranyam (Thiruppasur)
Badrikaranyam (Thiruvenbakkam)

PANCHA NATHAM: Lord Siva's names ending with `Natham'
Viswanatham
Somanatham
Jagannatham
Ramanatham
Vaidyanatham

PLACES WHICH CONFER MUKTI
Thiruvarur -- by being born there
Kanchipuram -- by residing there
Tiruvannamalai -- by mere thinking of the place
Kashi -- by dying there