The most fundamental of Hindu deities, is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - popular deities include Ganesha, Krishna, Hanuman and goddesses like Lakshmi, Durga,Saraswati.
God/Godess
Panch-Bhuta Linga
Panch-Bhuta Linga
Shiva is Bhuteshvar, lord of the five elements, bhutas: ether (akash), air (vayu), fire (tejas), water (apas), earth (prithvi). Shiva as lord of each of these elements resides at five different places in Southern India:
akash-linga Chidambaram
apas-linga Jambukeshvar at Trichy
prithvi-linga Ekambarnath at Kanchipuram
tejas-linga Arunachalam at Tiruvannamalai
vayu-Iinga Kalahasti