Palani
Deity Worshipped: Sri Dandayuthapani (Lord Muruga)
Popular Practice of Pilgrims: Carrying Kavadis
Important Festivals Celebrated: Panguni Utharam in March - April And Thaipusam Festival
The hill temple of Lord Muruga as Sri Dandayuthapani in
Palani near Madurai is one of the most popular of Tamil Nadu fanes, dates
from a remote past. It stands on a hill that is an offshoot of the Western
Ghats, and there are some other hills nearby. From the temple, which
stands at the summit about 150 metres high, there is a beautiful panorama
of forests to admire.
At
the foot of the hill there is an even more ancient temple, also dedicated
to Lord Muruga and is called the "Tiruavinnakudi Temple", it is
the third of the "arupadai veedus", or the Six Abodes of Lord
Muruga, as mentioned in a Tamil poem of the first century of the Christian
era, "Tirumurugarruppadai". The other five are
Tirupparankundram, Tiruchendur, Swamimalai, Tiruttani and
Pazhamuthircholai (on Azhagarkoil hills).
The Origin Of The Temple
Tradition tells the temple's origin. Once Agastya wished to take away
Shivagiri, the hill on which the temple stands, and Sakthigiri in its
vicinity, to where he was living farther in the south. He directed a
disciple of his, Idumban, to carry them on his shoulders, one at each end,
slung to a pole in the form called "Kavadi".
At this stage, Lord Shiva on Kailasa, had offered a pomegranate as a
prize to whichever of His sons, Lord Ganesh and Lord Muruga, could go
round the world quicker. Lord Muruga, astride His vehicle, the peacock,
set off at a great pace. But Lord Ganesh merely walked around His parents.
He said that, as they were the Universe, He was walking around them. The
claim was conceded and the prize was awarded to Him. On hearing this Lord
Muruga was frustrated and left Kailasa for the south. His parents
attempted to dissuade Him, saying "Pazham Nee" which means in
Tamil, "Thou art thyself the fruit of all wisdom and knowledge".
But He was not appeased and went to Tiruavinankudi. Later He moved into
the temple at the top of the hill.
Meanwhile, Idumban set down his "Kavadi" near Palani in order
to take rest. When, after some time he attempted to bear it on his
shoulders again, he found that he could not. A boy carrying a baton
wandered along. An altercation ensued between this boy, who was Lord
Muruga, and Idumban. In this Idumban was killed. But the Lord restored him
to life. At his request He ordained that those who carry "Kavadis"
to His temples in fulfilment of vows should be blessed.
The tradition accounts for the presence of the Lord in the temple as Boy
baton in hand, for the popular name of the hill as "Palani" and
for the practice of pilgrims carrying "Kavadis". This practice
obtains not only in Palani but also in the other temples of Lord Muruga.
There is a shrine to Idumban on the hill.
About The Temple
The temple has seven inscriptions. None has a bearing on its origin. But
tradition ascribes it to a Siddha named Bogar, believed to be a junior
contemporary of Agastya (Siddhas had supernatural powers and performed
miracles). Cheraman Perumal, the royal Kerala saint is believed to have
constructed the Sanctum and the Ardhamandapa. If this tradition is
correct, the structural beginnings of the temple should be dated to the
eighth century. In two places in the temple there are sculptures of a
royal personality. In succeeding times the temple was expanded by the
Nayaks of Madurai and by the local chiefs. The Nagarattars performed many
renovations in recent times.
Rock hewn steps used to lead from the foot of the hill to the top, but
now there are 697 stone steps. Since 1966 a haulage winch transports the
pilgrims. On either side of the pathway there are shrines and Mandapas at
frequent intervals. At the entrance to the temple there is an extensive
quadrangle. The temple is set at an spacious Prakara, which contains many
structures. Two of the Mandapas, the Navaranga and the Paravel Mandapas,
are of great beauty, with many attractive pillars.
Interesting
Features
The image of the Lord is made of nine kinds of medicinal minerals. What
is remarkable is that the millions of Abishekas, or oblations poured on
the image, down the centuries have had no effect on it. On the contrary,
the Abisheka materials gain in medicinal properties from contact with the
image and are prized by physicians. In particular the sandal paste, which
is left on the image overnight, is a wonder drug. Every bit of it is used.
In the southwestern corridor of the temple there is a shrine to Bogar,
whom the pilgrim is enjoined to worship.
Around the hill runs a sacred path, about a mile long. Mandapas stand
along side, with large lithic figures of the peacock, the Lord's mount.
Perambulating the hill is considered a holy act. Many pilgrims have their
heads tonsured.
Festivals Celebrated
Palani and festivals are synonymous. The most important festival is "Panguni
Utharam" in March - April on the day Utharam Star (Nakshatra) is
ascendent. This 10-day event at the Tiruavinnakudi Temple, at the foot of
the hill occurs in the off-season and so agriculturists and other rural
folk participate in it and give offerings of paddy to the temple. About
five lakh people attend the festival.
Some of the monthly Karthigais draw a crowd of one lakh. The Karthigai
Deepam and Vaikasi Visakam get two lakhs of persons each. The same may be
said of Skanda Sasthi. Three lakhs persons attend the Thaipusam festival.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Madurai
is the nearest airport, at a distance of 119-km.
Rail: The temple is about 5-km from the railway station on the
Dindugal - Coimbatore line of the
Southern Railway.
Road: There are bus services from all the major towns in
Tamil Nadu as well as from the adjoining state of
Kerala to Palani.
Taxis, auto-rickshaws and tongas are available for local transportation.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the moderate and economy class hotels, lodges, Devasthanam cottages and choultries in Palani.
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