Panchayatana form of worship introduced by Adi
Shankaracharya has assigned one element to one of the five deities in Hinduism.
Surya is the embodiment of Vayu Mahabhuta (air) among the five elements. The
five elements are ether/space, air, fire, water and earth. The five deities in
Panchayatana form of worship are Vishnu, Mother Goddess, Ganesha, Surya and
Shiva.
In this concept, the five deities are worshipped in the form
of sacred stones found in five holy rivers.
Surya, the embodiment of Vayu Mahabhuta, is worshipped in
the form of crystal found in the Vallam River in Tamil Nadu.