Palani

Significance: Palani is one of the most visited temples in Tamilnadu and is one of the revered 6 Padai Veedu shrines of MuruganPalani (Pazhani - Tiruvaavinankudi) is one of the six padai vedu shrines of Murugan, representing the sites where Murugan the valiant commander of the gods sojourned, while he proceded to battle against the demon Soorapadman. Palani is probably one of the most visited and the most endowed temples in the state of Tamilnadu. The Dhandayudapani Temple is located on the 450 feet high Palani malai in the town of Palani near Madurai. 690 stone steps line the mountain passage and an electric winch also takes pilgrims up the hill.


This temple is refered to in the Tamil work Thirumurugatruppadai of Nakeerar of the Sangam age (pre Christian era). Arunagirinaathar, the saint poet has composed 95 verses on Palani in his Thirupugazh. The Palani malai hill temple and the Thiruvavinankudi temple at the foot hills form a composite unit. The Thiruvavinankudi temple is refered to as Kuzhandhaivelayudar temple and the Saravanpoigai tank is located near it.

Deities: The presiding deity here is Dhandayudapani. The principal image is in the standing posture of a young boy Murugan with a staff(Dhandam) in his hand. The image is made of an amalgam of nine materials known as Navapaashaanam.

Legends: Legend has it that the celetial sage Naaradhar approached the abode of Shiva, Mount Kailasam with the celestial fruit of knowledge - Gnyanappazham. While both the sons of Shiva wanted the fruit, Shiva and Parvathi decreed that the one to first complete circumambulating the universe would get the celestial fruit.

While Subramanya mounted his peacock and went around the Universe, Vinayakar circumambulated his parents Shiva and Parvathi on the premise that Shiva and Parvathi stood for the Universe and thus obtained the coveted celestial fruit.

Angered by this denial, Subramanya left Kailasam and took up his own abode at Palani and refused to return to Kailasam. He then went on to take up abodes on several of the Hills in the Tamil country leading to the popular tamil phrase, "Kundru Thorum Kumaran".

There is yet another legend associated with Palani. Agasthia munivar was presented by Shiva with two mountain peaks called ‘Shivagiri’ and Shakthigiri’.

Upon Agasthiyar’s directiion, his disciple, Idumban tied the two peaks to the ends of a big pole and carried them on his shoulders. He paused to rest at palani where the hills got stuck to the ground. On one of the peaks was Murugan with whom Idumban fought to reclaim the hill.

Idumban was defeated and killed in the fight and upon being implored my Agasthiyar was restored to life. Idumban requested Murugan to allow him to be installed as the Dwarapalakan in the palani temple. The Kaavadi form of worship originates from this legend.

A disciple of Bhogasiddar is believed to have commenced worship in a small shrine here. Cheramaan perumal(one of the 63 naayanmars and a contemperory of Sundaramurthy nayanaar) is believed to have contructed the sanctum.
Daily Worship: Seven worship services are carried out each day here. The day commences with the Viswaroopa darisanam in the morning. The concluding worhsip service involves a procession of the deity in a golden palanquin in the temple and the palliyarai sevai.

Panguni Uttram is celebrated for 10 days as the annual Bhramotsavam. This festival is celebrated only at Tiruvavinankudi in the foothills to Muthukumarar the festival deity here.The Ther Thiruvizha is held on the last day of this festival. Offerings of Kaveri water brought from Kodumudi by thousands of devotees in kaavadis are made to the deity.

Agni Nakshathram is celebrated in the month of Chittirai and Vaikaasi.During this time, thousands of pilgrims circumambulate the hill. Vaikaasi Visaakam is celebrated for 10 days.

Skanda sashti is celebrated for 7 days. Soorasamharam is enacted on the last day of this festival in which both Chinna Kumarar the festival image of the hill temple and Muthukumaraswami of Thiruvavinankudu participate.

Kaartikai Deepam is celebrated for 10 days. In addition Kaartikai asterism in each month is celebrated with a procession of a golden chariot in the hill temple. Thai poosam is also celebrated for 10 days here.