Palani Murugan Temple, also known as Pazhani Temple or Dhandapani
Murugan Temple or the Hill Temple of Palani, is one of the most famous
Murugan temples in India situated in the town of Palani, about 100 km
southeast of Coimbatore, in Tamilnadu, India. This ancient temple, built
during the 7th Century AD by Cheaman Perumal - a ruler of Kerala, is
the third Arupadai Veedu among the Arupadaiveedu or the six abodes of Lord Muruga.
Situated 60 km from Dindugul in Tamil Nadu, this famous pilgrimage
center is located atop the Sivagiri Hill at an elevation of 1500 ft
above sea level. The presiding deity is Lord Dandayudhapani Swami. The
other five Aarupadai Veedu Murugan temples are Thiruchendur Murugan Temple, Swamimalai Murugan Temple, Thiruthani Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai Muruga Temple, and Thiruparamkunram Temple.
Palani Murugan Temple is also known by other names such as Tiru Avinankudi, Palani Subramanya Temple, Palani Murugan Kovil, Dandayudhapani Swami Temple, and Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Thirukkovil.
Medicinal power of the Palani Murugan Idol
Lord Dandayudhapani of Palani Temple is seen in a standing position with a stick in his hand. Wearing only a loincloth, the Lord seems like a person who has thrown out all luxuries. The idol of the Palani Hill Temple is unique - it is believed that the idol of the presiding deity is made out of a mixture known as Navabashanam or Navapaashanam. In Sanskrit Nava means both 'new' and also 'nine'. The word bashana means 'poison' and also mean 'mineral'. The amalgam containing the nine kinds of medicinal minerals is blended together in certain rare proportions and the resultant material forms a hardened wax. This was prepared by Bhogar, a siddha (siddha means a person who has achieved spiritual perfection or enlightenment). Due to the amalgamation, the poisonous nature of all these metals was tied together and converted into a useful mixture with medicinal and curative values. The nine medicinal minerals are Veeram, Pooram, Rasam, Jathilingam, Kandagam, Gauri Pasanam, Vellai Pasanam, Mridharsingh and Silasat.
According to Sidhha Medicine practice, these poisonous elements have highly curative powers for many diseases.
Story of Palani Temple
According to legends, once Sage Narada visited Lord Shiva
at Mount Kailash. He gave a fruit to the Lord and told him that it was a
unique one, the fruit of wisdom (in Tamil it is called as Gnanapazham).
Lord Shiva decided to give the fruit to his children – Lord Kartikeya
and Lord Ganapati. But the sage advised that this fruit should not be cut because its power would be reduced.
Consequently, a competition was arranged to get the fruit. The competition was that the son who first surrounds the earth would get the fruit. Without delaying, Lord Murugan started his trip around the world on his divine vehicle, the peacock. But Lord Ganesha who believed that his parents were his world, just surrounded Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and claimed the fruit. On returning, Lord Subrahmanya found that Lord Ganesha had already won and felt that he was tricked. He decided to leave the Mount Kailash and reached Tiru Avinankudi at the foot of the Sivagiri Hill. Lord Siva and the Goddess tried to appease their son by saying that he himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge; ‘Nee’ means you. For this reason, the place was called ‘Pazham Nee’ or Palani or Pazhani.
Bhogar Shrine at Pazhani Temple
Bhogar who created the Navabashana idol and sanctified the deity is said to have lived before 3,000 B.C. The shrine of Bhogar is found in the southwestern corridor of the hill temple. There are also images of Nava Durga or Bhuvanesvari and the Maragadha (emerald) Shiva Lingam who were worshipped by him. There is an underground passage which is said to link the sanctum sanctorum with the Bhogar shrine. The walls of the shrine describe the history of the temple.
Other Temples in Palani
Palani Hill Temple comprises various other shrines such as Anandha Vinayagar Sannadhi (situated on the outer prakaram of the temple), Valli Temple, 18-Padi Karuppanna Swamy Temple and Idumban Temple.
Valli Spring
This is a holy tank which flows from a mountain spring. It is called as Valli Sonai and is found on the Elephant path which was constructed for the elephants to climb the hill.
Kavadi
Kavadi is significant to all Murugan temples in India and abroad. ‘Kavi’ means ‘saffron’ implying simplicity and ‘adi’ means ‘foot’ meaning pilgrimage. Devotees bring different types of kavadis to the temple by foot.
Tonsuring in Palani
Tonsuring, or shaving the head, is an important feature of Pazhani Hill Temple. Devotees can perform tonsuring by paying Rs.10/- at the Tonsuring sheds.
Palani Murugan Temple Festivals
Thai Poosam Festival or Thaipusam, Agni Nakshatra, Kandhar Shasti (Shasti Vratam in the month of Aippasi), and Vaikasi Visagam are the most important festivals celebrated at Palani Muruga Temple. Other festivals celebrated here include Thirukarthigai, Pankuni Uttiram (March - April), Chitra Pournami, and Aani Annabhishekam.
In the Tamil month of Aadi, the Pazhani Temple celebrates the Aadi Perukku, Aadi Krithigai, Aadi Amavasai, and Aadi Laksharchana festivals.
Temple Timings – Visiting Hours
Palani Murugan Temple opens daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. On festival days the temple is opened at 4.30 AM. The puja starts at 5 AM with Visvarupa Darshana. Vilaa Pooja is conducted at 6.30 AM, followed by Siru Kall Pooja at 8.00 AM., Kaala Santhi at 9.00 AM., Utchikkala Pooja at 12.00 noon, Raja Alankaram at 5.30 p.m., Iraakkaala Puja at 8.00 p.m., Golden Car Darshan at 6.30 P.M and Rakkalam at 8 PM
How to reach Palani Hill Murugan Temple in Pazhani
By Train / Railway Station
Palani Railway Station, on the Dindigul - Coimbatore meter gauge line, is the nearest railway station (5 km) to reach Palani Murugan Temple. Served by Southern Railways, Rameshwaram Express, Coimbatore Express, Palakkad Passenger, and Palakkad - Rameshwaram Passenger are some of the major trains passing through Pazhani Railway Station. The Railway Station code of Palani is PLNI.
Kodaikanal Road Railway Station (KQN) and Dindigul Junction Railway Station (Station Code - DG) are the other railway stations nearby 46 km and 48 km respectively.
By Flight / Airport
Coimbatore Airport (CJB) at Peelamedu is the nearest airport to reach Palani Hills, about 100 km away. Coimbatore Airport operates regular flights to major Indian cities Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, Trivandrum, and Kochi.
Other airports near Palani Hills are Madurai Airport (IXM) (85 km), Bengaluru International Airport (BLR) (314 km) and Chennai International Airport (MAA) (413 km).
By Road / Bus / Taxi
Palani is well connected by road from major cities in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Palani Hills is situated 75 km from Pollachi, 122 km from Palakkad, 373 km from Bangalore, and 489 km from Chennai. Palani Bus Station, operated by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), operates bus services to several major cities in Tamil Nadu and nearby states. Bus services are available from Pazhani to Madurai, Kodaikanal, Kanyakumari, Pollachi, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Guruvayoor, Thrissur, Coimbatore, and Chennai.
Palani Devasthanam Information Center is located at the bus station for helping pilgrims and tourist to this famous sacred destination in India. The temple authority has arranged haulage winches and rope cars to reach the hill temple for quick conveyance.
Palani Murugan Temple is also known by other names such as Tiru Avinankudi, Palani Subramanya Temple, Palani Murugan Kovil, Dandayudhapani Swami Temple, and Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Thirukkovil.
Picture of Palani Murugan Temple seen at night with lights on
Medicinal power of the Palani Murugan Idol
Lord Dandayudhapani of Palani Temple is seen in a standing position with a stick in his hand. Wearing only a loincloth, the Lord seems like a person who has thrown out all luxuries. The idol of the Palani Hill Temple is unique - it is believed that the idol of the presiding deity is made out of a mixture known as Navabashanam or Navapaashanam. In Sanskrit Nava means both 'new' and also 'nine'. The word bashana means 'poison' and also mean 'mineral'. The amalgam containing the nine kinds of medicinal minerals is blended together in certain rare proportions and the resultant material forms a hardened wax. This was prepared by Bhogar, a siddha (siddha means a person who has achieved spiritual perfection or enlightenment). Due to the amalgamation, the poisonous nature of all these metals was tied together and converted into a useful mixture with medicinal and curative values. The nine medicinal minerals are Veeram, Pooram, Rasam, Jathilingam, Kandagam, Gauri Pasanam, Vellai Pasanam, Mridharsingh and Silasat.
According to Sidhha Medicine practice, these poisonous elements have highly curative powers for many diseases.
Story of Palani Temple
According to legends, once Sage Narada visited Lord Shiva
at Mount Kailash. He gave a fruit to the Lord and told him that it was a
unique one, the fruit of wisdom (in Tamil it is called as Gnanapazham).
Lord Shiva decided to give the fruit to his children – Lord Kartikeya
and Lord Ganapati. But the sage advised that this fruit should not be cut because its power would be reduced.Consequently, a competition was arranged to get the fruit. The competition was that the son who first surrounds the earth would get the fruit. Without delaying, Lord Murugan started his trip around the world on his divine vehicle, the peacock. But Lord Ganesha who believed that his parents were his world, just surrounded Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and claimed the fruit. On returning, Lord Subrahmanya found that Lord Ganesha had already won and felt that he was tricked. He decided to leave the Mount Kailash and reached Tiru Avinankudi at the foot of the Sivagiri Hill. Lord Siva and the Goddess tried to appease their son by saying that he himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge; ‘Nee’ means you. For this reason, the place was called ‘Pazham Nee’ or Palani or Pazhani.
Bhogar Shrine at Pazhani Temple
Bhogar who created the Navabashana idol and sanctified the deity is said to have lived before 3,000 B.C. The shrine of Bhogar is found in the southwestern corridor of the hill temple. There are also images of Nava Durga or Bhuvanesvari and the Maragadha (emerald) Shiva Lingam who were worshipped by him. There is an underground passage which is said to link the sanctum sanctorum with the Bhogar shrine. The walls of the shrine describe the history of the temple.
Other Temples in Palani
Palani Hill Temple comprises various other shrines such as Anandha Vinayagar Sannadhi (situated on the outer prakaram of the temple), Valli Temple, 18-Padi Karuppanna Swamy Temple and Idumban Temple.
Valli Spring
This is a holy tank which flows from a mountain spring. It is called as Valli Sonai and is found on the Elephant path which was constructed for the elephants to climb the hill.
Kavadi
Kavadi is significant to all Murugan temples in India and abroad. ‘Kavi’ means ‘saffron’ implying simplicity and ‘adi’ means ‘foot’ meaning pilgrimage. Devotees bring different types of kavadis to the temple by foot.
Tonsuring in Palani
Tonsuring, or shaving the head, is an important feature of Pazhani Hill Temple. Devotees can perform tonsuring by paying Rs.10/- at the Tonsuring sheds.
Palani Murugan Temple Festivals
Thai Poosam Festival or Thaipusam, Agni Nakshatra, Kandhar Shasti (Shasti Vratam in the month of Aippasi), and Vaikasi Visagam are the most important festivals celebrated at Palani Muruga Temple. Other festivals celebrated here include Thirukarthigai, Pankuni Uttiram (March - April), Chitra Pournami, and Aani Annabhishekam.
In the Tamil month of Aadi, the Pazhani Temple celebrates the Aadi Perukku, Aadi Krithigai, Aadi Amavasai, and Aadi Laksharchana festivals.
Temple Timings – Visiting Hours
Palani Murugan Temple opens daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. On festival days the temple is opened at 4.30 AM. The puja starts at 5 AM with Visvarupa Darshana. Vilaa Pooja is conducted at 6.30 AM, followed by Siru Kall Pooja at 8.00 AM., Kaala Santhi at 9.00 AM., Utchikkala Pooja at 12.00 noon, Raja Alankaram at 5.30 p.m., Iraakkaala Puja at 8.00 p.m., Golden Car Darshan at 6.30 P.M and Rakkalam at 8 PM
How to reach Palani Hill Murugan Temple in Pazhani
By Train / Railway Station
Palani Railway Station, on the Dindigul - Coimbatore meter gauge line, is the nearest railway station (5 km) to reach Palani Murugan Temple. Served by Southern Railways, Rameshwaram Express, Coimbatore Express, Palakkad Passenger, and Palakkad - Rameshwaram Passenger are some of the major trains passing through Pazhani Railway Station. The Railway Station code of Palani is PLNI.
Kodaikanal Road Railway Station (KQN) and Dindigul Junction Railway Station (Station Code - DG) are the other railway stations nearby 46 km and 48 km respectively.
By Flight / Airport
Coimbatore Airport (CJB) at Peelamedu is the nearest airport to reach Palani Hills, about 100 km away. Coimbatore Airport operates regular flights to major Indian cities Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, Trivandrum, and Kochi.
Other airports near Palani Hills are Madurai Airport (IXM) (85 km), Bengaluru International Airport (BLR) (314 km) and Chennai International Airport (MAA) (413 km).
By Road / Bus / Taxi
Palani is well connected by road from major cities in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Palani Hills is situated 75 km from Pollachi, 122 km from Palakkad, 373 km from Bangalore, and 489 km from Chennai. Palani Bus Station, operated by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), operates bus services to several major cities in Tamil Nadu and nearby states. Bus services are available from Pazhani to Madurai, Kodaikanal, Kanyakumari, Pollachi, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Guruvayoor, Thrissur, Coimbatore, and Chennai.
Palani Devasthanam Information Center is located at the bus station for helping pilgrims and tourist to this famous sacred destination in India. The temple authority has arranged haulage winches and rope cars to reach the hill temple for quick conveyance.
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