Palani history

The Legendary, Historical and Spiritual Significance of the Hill Temple. There is a legend how Lord Murugan came to this sacred spot. Narada Muni, a sage, brought a golden mango to the divine court of Lord Siva when Lord Siva was seated with his consort Parvati and His children Lord Vinayakar and Lord Subrahmanya. Narada gave the fruit to Lord Siva and implored Him to eat since it was a rare, miraculous Jñanapalam, the fruit of wisdom. As a loving husband, Lord Siva gave it to Parvati and requested her to eat. As a loving mother, she wanted to give the fruit to her children. As there was only one fruit and it should not be cut, they announced a contest and said that the winner would be given the fruit. Whoever completes one round of the globe first will be given the fruit.

Lord Subrahmanya mounted His peacock to go around the world. Lord Vinayakar circumambulated around His parents, symbolising the world, and got the fruit. On return, Lord Subrahmanya found that He was cheated. In anger, He renounced His family and came to this spot to settle forever. Lord Siva and Parvati came to pacify Him. They said, “Pazham Nee” (‘You are the Fruit’). Hence the name Palani is a popular syncopation of the two words mentioned. The presiding deity, Lord Dandayudhapani Swami, is the son of Lord Siva and son-in-law of Vishnu. He has other names such as Kulandaivelan, Balasubrahmanyan, Shanmukhan, Devasenapati, Swaminathan, Vallimanalan, Devayanaimanalan, Palaniandavar, Kuriñjiandavar, Arumugan, Jñana Pandita, Saravanan, Sevar Kodiyon, etc. Tamils, Keralites, Bengalis, Sri Lankans, Malaysians, Fijians, Africans, Australians and Americans to name a few come here to worship Lord Muruga. Thus Murugan worship cuts across provincial boundaries and national frontiers.

Cheaman Perumal, a ruler of Kerala, built the main temple perhaps in the 7th Century AD. The Nayaks built the Navaranga Mandapam which is a fascinating stone structure incorporated by four pillars and endowed with nine bays. The other portions of the temple have been built by the Pandiya kings, besides a number of local heads, religious groups and individual devotees.

How to reach palani hill temple : There are 5 ways on the hill to reach the Palani Murugan temple. The 4 ways are mentioned below, the 4th way is not widely used by public. It is known as Theertha Pathai – Theertham forAbishegam is brought through this way.

Timing

POOJA NAMEPOOJA TIMENAME OF ALANGARAMFEES Normal DayFEES Special Day
Vishwarubha Dharsanam05.40 AMVishwarubhamRs. 100.00Rs. 200.00
Vilaa Pooja06.40 AMSanniyasi AlangaramRs. 150.00Rs. 300.0
Siru Kall Pooja08.00 AMVedan AlangaramRs. 150.00Rs. 300.00
Kaala Santhi Pooja09.00 AMBalasubramaniar AlangaramRs. 150.00Rs. 300.00
Utchaikkala Pooj12.00 NOONVaitheekal AlangaramRs. 150.00Rs. 300.00
Sayaraksha Pooja05.30 PMRaja AlangaramRs. 150.00Rs. 300.00
Iraakkaala Pooja08.00 PMPuspha AlangaramRs. 150.00Rs. 300.00

Temples

1

THIRU AVINANKUDI TEMPLE

The Temple is about 2000 years old. Nakkirar in his Thirumurugattrupadai has praised this Sthals as third Padai veedu. The holy tree of this Sthala is Amlaka. Velavi Koman, a feudatory chief was the ruler in the Sangam period. The classical Ahananooru speaks very highly of him. Vakisa Kalanidhi K.V.Jagannadan has opined that Podini must have been changed in to Palani and how apt it is.
2

PERIYA NAYAGI AMMAN TEMPLE

Important temple going by the name of town temple, dedicated to Mother Periya Nayaki Amman, the local name for Parvathimatha, the august goddess of that illustrious Son Muruga. The temple is quite big and build in the south Indian architectural pattern. There are many mini shrines for Saivate Gods, like Muthukumaraswamy, Nataraja, Vinayaka etc.
3

PERU UDAYAR TEMPLE

Peru-Udayar (called Periya Avudayar Kovil) is by far the most important and deserves special mention. Located near the railway line on the banks of the shanmuga Nadi in sylvan setting, it is about four kilometres from the bus-stand reached by two stages, by buses going on the Old Dharapuram road for three kilometres and by walking one kilometre from the arch on that road. It is convenient to go by a taxi or auto rickshaw and alight at the doors of the temple.
4

LAXMI NARAYANA PERUMAL TEMPLE

Proceeding along the west street, a east facing temple a Deepasthamba and a stone mandapam indicates to us the presence of a shrine. The entrance has pials and in the interior, a brass flagstaff, balipeetam and Garudan are seen near the Maha Mandapa. this Vishnu temple is under the control of Palani Temple, Nagas, Garuda, Car sheds, etc,.
5

IDUMBAN HILL TEMPLE

This has a long legend and takes us to the time of Agasthya’s penance here. The great Saga drawn by the sequestered sublimity of this region chose it for penance during his southern trip. After completing it satisfactorily, he dedicated to move further south words. Realizing the sanctity and sublimity hovering over these two hills, he then bade his mighty demon assistant to carry them popularly known as Sivagiri and Sakthigiri tying them onto a Kavadi. He obeyed.
6

MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

If we pass some houses we can come to the most powerful Mariamman. The prosperity of this Devi incrased with the prosperity of the Palauakars. Palayakars were lords of small tracts, and Mariamman was their goddess of boundary. Naturally they propitiated her to get her grace.

Festivals

KANDHAR SHASTI (SOORA SAMHARAM)

This is a very important festival at Palani, during the 6 days in the month of Aippasi (7th Tamil month). This is based on the mythological story of Lord Muruga Killing the demons. On this day only (once in a year) the Lord comes down the Hill, and after vanquishing the demons, ascends the Hill again. This is associated with Kandhar Shasti. The four demons (Gajamugan, Tharagan, Singamugan and Surapadman) are won by the Lord. It is a grand sight to see the dramatic representation of this. On this day devotees observe total fasting as they consider that this will offset all their sins.

THIRUKKARTHIGAI 

From Thirugnanasambandar’s statement “Ancient Karthigai day”, we known about the age-old practice of this festival. It falls on Karthigai Day in the Tamil month of Karthigai. It is celebrated for 10 days and daily “Chinna Kumarar” goes in procession in the small golden carriage. On Karthigai day, he goes in the Golden Car. On the 10th day, woman devotees light lamps and worship Murugan. This is done in Thiruvavinankudi, Periyanayagi Amman Temple and the Hill Temple.This is a very important day for devotees. Every month also, an Karthigai day, devotees visit Palani.

THAI POOSAM 

This is a very important festival , associated with pilgrimage to Palani. Devotees from Tamil Nadu reach Palani by foot (Pada Yathra) and worship. Begining with flag-hosting at Perianayagiamman Temple, this festival runs on for 10 days. Kavadi of various types (with holy water, sugar, flowers, tender co-conuts, etc., ) are offered to Murugan at Palani. On the 6th day, there is procession of Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivanai in the Silver Car. During this, Kavadi dance and rural musical-dance are performed. On the 7 th day there is “Thai Thaer” (wooden Car) and thousands of devotees participate in this. On the 7th day “Chinna Kumarar” goes round in His Golden Car.

PANGUNI UTHIRAM 

This also is a very important festival here, and is celebrated for 10 days, devotees carry Kavadies with holy water (from sacred rivers), sugar, tender co-conut etc. During these 10 days, we can see various rural dances like ”Oyilattam, Thappattam, Dhidumattam,Velanattam, Samiyattam”etc., along with rural songs. The rural music is an important part of Paunguni uthiram festival. The main feature of Panguni Uthiram is the offering of “Theertham” (Posts of Holy water) from Kodumudi. Lord Palaniandavar is given abhishekam with this holy water. The devotees carrying Kavadi to Palani sing Kavadi – songs throughout their ‘Padayathra’ and these songs are ancient oral songs.

Chariot

The Fee for the Thangaratha Ula (Golden Chariot Procession) is Rs.2,000/, for which two members are allowed, The Golden Chariot procession is held on every day at 7.00 PM.The Lord—the festival deity called Cinnakumârar, a graceful figure in bronze—is placed riding on a golden peacock mount whose feathers are spread out beautifully. The mount is then fixed to the golden car and the car taken round the prakâram on top of the hill in a ceremonious procession on all Kârttikai days and six other festival days in a year. On payment a devotee can have the golden car drawn round the temple on any evening of his choice, along with nadasvaram, Tiruppugazh music, other temple paraphernalia, etc.

The illuminated Golden Car is a veritable fairyland. There is a heavy demand for such service to fulfill vows of thanksgiving for recovery from physical affliction or success in important undertakings. At the conclusion of the procession, the donor is honoured with Parivattam. The procession makes brief stops at each of the nine bali-peetams (altars for religious offerings.) The Lord, being a recluse, wants nothing for Himself. His own name is Ândi or the penniless. He is very liberal in generously acceding to the requests of devotees who have unflinching, unfailing, unqualified and unquestioned faith in Him, without mental reservations. He grants all boons and extends His grace to them. He lavishly gives His resources to other temples as well.