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.
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.
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
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.
Read story of Idumban associated with Kavadi Aattam
Tonsuring in Palani
Tonsuring, or shaving the head, is an important feature of Pazhani Hill Temple. Devotees can perform tonsuring by paying small fees 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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See Also
Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur
Kerala Palani Temple
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Tonsuring in Palani
Tonsuring, or shaving the head, is an important feature of Pazhani Hill Temple. Devotees can perform tonsuring by paying small fees 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.
--
See Also
Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur
Kerala Palani Temple
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Takk for en interessant blogg
ReplyDeleteIts a verygood information blog thanks
ReplyDeletei got good and nice information from this blog. very thanks
ReplyDeleteAbout Palani Sri Murugan temple, explanation is very good and I could understand so many new words meaning by reading your explanation.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for that. I request to change meter gauge from Palakkad is now under costruction to change to Broad Gauge. tku once again --Prabhakaran Palani / Kerala
I read all the information about Palani Subramaniyam Swamy Temple and
ReplyDeletemyself is a worshipper from my childhood from 1955 on wards I used to climb which is really unforgettable. I too understand so many things by reading your views. I request you to kindly change now a days no meter gauge is available and started for Broad gauge from Palghat to Palani. Tku once again - Prabhakaran Palani-Kerala Devotee
I recently went to Palani with great joy. Much to my disappointment. The barbers demand Rs 75 or more for tonsuring.even after taking the ticket of Rs 10/-
ReplyDeleteThe poojaris at the sacntum sanctorium demand Rs 100 or more with out shame. Even after taking Abhishekam tickets. There are agents who are well organised with shop owners, helpers and poojaris who loot money from you royally if you do not know about the rituals.
Also.. they don't even let you see the abhishekam if you come in free darshan line even after taking the tickets. They just push you out and don't even let you pray in peace. This happens even in off season..
All they do is take the milk and other poja items given by us inside the sanatorium and just siphon half of it and give us the rest saying the abhishekam was done and demand Rs 100 or more.. Since the idol is well decorated, they would not like to do abhishekam again.. so they lie to us... such filthy people right in the sanatorium. Greed and corruption has spread even to temple care takers who spoil our rich meaningful tradition and culture thereby insulting our religion.
Thanks for sharing information about Palani Murugan Temple. The history and the story behind this famous temple is very well known to most of the devotees. There are small elements of this temple that many are not aware of. For example, the name 'Palani' is derived from the terms 'Palam' and 'Nee' (meaning 'You are a fruit'). He was referred to this by his mother Parvati to pacify him after he flew down from Mount Kailash.
ReplyDeleteAnd very recently, we had the Aadi Ammavasya, which is a very rare day renowned for performing rituals for the dead. This day is closely associated with God Muruga, as a result, 1000s of devotees flock the temple on this particular day and take a dip in the holy river near by.
Palani Murugan temple was constructed in the 9th Century by a king called Cheraman Peruman. It is believed that God Muruga stayed in Thiruvaavinankudi for a while before going up the hill.
ReplyDelete