It is one of the major Arupadaiveedu of Lord Muruga. The other Arupadiveedus are Thiruchendur Murugan Temple (100 km south-west of Madurai), Swamimalai Murugan Temple (150 km east of Madurai), Thiruthani Murugan Temple (50 km from Chennai), Pazhamudircholai (10 km north of Madurai) and Tirupparamkunram Murugan Temple (10 km south of Madurai).
Legend
As per the Hindu mythology, Sage Narada once visited the divine court of Lord Shiva at Mount Kailash. Lord Shiva was with his consort, Goddess Shakti, and their two children, Lord Ganesha and Lord Subrahmanya. Sage Narada gave Lord Shiva a fruit and told him that it was a special one, the fruit of wisdom (Jnana-Pazham).
Lord Shiva wanted his children to have the fruit of wisdom. However, when he offered it to them to be shared between the two sons, Sage Narada requested not to cut the fruit in two, lest the power be diminished. As a result, they had to decide to conduct a simple competition to decide who should get the fruit. Shiva and Shakti decided that the son who first circled the Earth would get the fruit. Immediately accepting the challenge, Lord Murugan started his journey around the globe on his divine vehicle, the peacock or mayil.
Lord Ganesha, who believed that his parents were his world, simply circumbulated Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti and claimed the mango fruit. Lord Subrahmanya returned to Mount Kailash, only to find that Lord Ganesha had already won the contest.
Lord Murugan felt he had been deceived and decided to leave Mount Kailasam. He reached to top of what is today called Pazhani malai (the Hill of Pazhani) and set up his abode there.Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva rushed to the hill and tried to pacify their son, calling him, Gnana Pazham Nee appa (in Tamil, “you are the fruit – Pazham; of wisdom – Gnana”). Hence this place came to be called Pazhani, or Palani.
Legend also has it that a divine siddhar named Boghar, created the idol of Dhandayuthapaani using navapashanam, an amalgam made from 9 poisonous elements which on getting mixed develops highly curative powers for many ailments of the human body, according to Sidhha Medicine practice. A small portion with a deity, dedicated to Boghar is also placed inside the temple. the adjoining walls depicts the history of the creation and other facts related to the temple.
More information from M.Dhandapani, Auditor, Dindigul, Tamilnadu, India. Even though number of festivals are celebrated in the temple throughout the year, two major festivels of Palani is “Thaipposam” and “Pankuniuthiram”. Thaipoosam is the festivel celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil Month “Thai” and Pankuniuthiram is the festivel celebrated on “Uthiram” star day. In both the festival times thousands of people from all over Tamil nadu come to the Temple by walk. Even from the places which are more than 300 Kms., distance from Palani, people come by walk with out wearing foot wears. Before starting walking yathra to Palani, the devotees must follow some practices such as fasting, avoiding wearing of foot wears, dressing with yellow or red coloured cloths, avoiding smoking, drinking of liquors and etc. On the days nearing to such festival days, we can see a very big crowds of people moving to Palani like river on Dindigul to Palani road, Sempatti to Palani road. Because of such heavy rush, the Tamil nadu Government has paved 6 feet berth road from Dindigul to Palani for the convenience of People. Many people issue on free of cost the Food, Tea, coffee,Breads, Drinking water, fruits and etc to the Devotees who are in Walking Yatra. The very famous such walking yatra group is Karaikudi group. In Karaikudi group hundreds of devotees are coming with one type of decorated wooden article called “Kavadi” on their solders. One Gold Vel (Vel is the weapon used by Lord Muruga to kill enemies)is also brought by this group. Hence the Walking yatra group devotees generally complete their Yatra when “Karaikudi Group” comes. After the Karaikudi group the rush will fall suddenly. Lord Palani Murugan called in other names such as Dhandapani, Dhandayudhapani, Subramaniaswamy, Palaniappan and etc., is very powerful God. If we pray for anything along with Lord Palni Muruga, he must comple it. Hence we are all try to visit Palani even once in our life in order to get his blessings.
Poojas
Palani Murugan Temple:
Darshan (meaning open to the public) hours are from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
On festival days the temple opens at 4.30 a.m.
Vilaa Pooja (6.30 a.m.)
Siru Kall Pooja (8.00 a.m.)
Kaala Santhi (9.00 a.m.)
Utchikkala Pooja (12.00 noon)
Raja Alankaram (5.30 p.m.)
Iraakkaala Puja (8.00 p.m.)
Golden Car Darshan (6.30 p.m.)
further information please contact:
The Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer
Arulmigu Dandayudhapani Swami Devasthanam Office
Adivaram Palani - 624 601 India
Tel. (91) 04545-41417 or 42236
Fax: (91) 04545-41417
E-mail: lordmuruga@eth.net
