Temple

Palani (or Pazhani) is a town and a municipality in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu and houses The Palani Murugan Temple dedicated to Hindu war God Kartikeya. The temple is situated on a hill overlooking the town and is visited by more than 7 million pilgrims each year. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple or the Palani Murugan Temple is the third among the six Padaiveedu's of Lord Muruga. The temple was believed to be constructed by Cheraman Perumal - A king of the chera dynasty.

Legend

According to the legends, Sage Narada once visited Lord Shiva at Mount Kailash, to present him a fruit, the gyana- palam (literally the fruit of knowledge.). Shiva decided to give the fruit to his sons, Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga equally by cutting the fruit. But, Narada was against cutting the fruit. So, Shiva decided that whichever of his two sons first circles the world thrice, will be awarded the fruit. Lord Muruga started his journey on his peacock. Ganesha, circled his parents thrice, saying that the world was no more than his parents. Shiva and Shakti got pleased with Ganesha and awarded the fruit to Ganesha. When Murga returned, he was furious to learn that his efforts had been in vain. He left Kailash and took up his abode in palani hills. He chose to remain as a hermit and discarded all robes and ornaments.     
According to another legend, once all sages and gods assembled in Kailash. It resulted in tilting of earth towards one direction. Shiva asked sage Agasthya to move towards South to balance the tilt. Agastya employed a demon by name Ettumba to carry two hills in his shoulders to be placed in the South. The demon carried the hills down south and rested in a place.When he tried to lift one of the hills, it didn't budge and he found a young man standing at the top of the ill not allowing it to be moved. The demon tried to attack the young man, but was smitten. Sage Agastya identified the young man as Lord Muruga and asked him to pardon the demon. Karthikeya readily did so and let the hill remain there at Pazhani. It is a practice followed in the modern times where people carry milk in both their shoulders as a devotion to please Karthikeya. The demon carried the other hill to Swamimalai, which is another abode of Karthikeya.

This temple is part of famous Arupadai Veedu Yatra.

Architecture

The Palani Temple is built in Dravidian architecture style. The main Temple to Dhandayudapani is located on top of the Palani hill. The inner most sanctum is crowned with a gold plated vimanam. The entrance to the inner temple is through the Manikatti, and the Kattai gopuravaasal mandapams constructed by local chieftans. The beautiful navaranga mandapam supported by 12 pillars is located in front of the sanctum. The hill is 450 feet in height, reached by a flight of 659 steps. The idol is composed of Navapashanam. (Nine different kinds of poisons) blended together in certain rare proportions, the resultant substance resembling wax.

Picture Courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

Darshan  hours are from 6.00 AM to 8.00 PM. On festival days the temple opens at 4.30 AM.

Darsan Dresscode

Male devotees have been advised to wear dhoti, shirt, pyjama or pant and shirt while women and girls should wear saris or churidhar or 'pavadai' with half-sari. Devotees wearing lungi, bermudas, jeans and tight-leggings would not be allowed.

Famous Festival

Thai Poosam Thiruvizha - January /February
Panguni Uthiram - March / April
CHITRA POURNAMI - April/May
AGNI NAKSHATRAM - May/June
VAIKASI FESTIVAL - June
AANI-ANNABHISHEKAM - July
Aadi Laksharchana - July/August
VijayaDasami Vizha, Navarathri Pooja Ambu uduthal Vizha - September/ October
Kandha Shasti (Soora Samharam) - October/ November
Thirukarthigai Vizha (Peria Karthigai) - November /December
Thirupallieluchi Thiruvizha - December/January

Culture

Tamil Nadu is famous for sculpture and paintings in temples. Palani temples, which were close to the hearts of various dynasties of Kings, have its own beautiful pieces.

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Temple Rituals

The most esteemed form of worship at the temple is the abhishekam - anointment of the idol with oils, sandalwood paste, milk, unguents and the like and then bathing it with water in an act of ritual purification. The most prominent abhishekams are conducted at the ceremonies to mark the hours of the day. These are four in number - the Vizha Poojai, early in the morning, the Ucchikalam, in the afternoon, the Sayarakshai, in the evening and the Rakkalam, at night, immediately prior to the temple being closed for the day.

Special Rituals

Offering Kavadi to Lord Muruga is of great significance as it brings peace and good luck. Taking Kavadi during Thaipusam is considered highly auspicious.  One of the chief traditions of the temple is the tonsuring of devotees and mundan where devotees discard their hair in imitation of the Lord of Palani.

Additional Info