PALANI or PAZHANI is a Town, that comes under Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu, India. This town is so popular among Pilgrimage Tourists because Hindu War God "Lord Karthikeya's" temple known as "Palani Murugan Temple", which is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, is situated here. Temple is the place of worship for Hindus also known as "Kovil" in Tamil language. This tourist town gets more than 7 million visitors every year. Palani is the home to many sacred shrines. Though Murugan Hill Temple is the main center of attraction for this place, there are many Kovils situated in this Holy Town. This Town is one of the main destination for Hindu Pilgrimage Travelers. Language spoken here is Tamil. Tourists will have no trouble in communicating with locals as many can understand English, also most of their businesses mainly depends on the visiting tourists. Manufacturing of Panchamridham, Production of Sacred Ash, Textile Mills, Metal Factory, Manufacturing of Fruit Juices are the important source of income of the local people. You get the chance to purchase Panchamridham, Vibudhi (Sacred Ash), Murugan Idols, Toys, Local Handicrafts, Pictures of Deities and Publications of Devasthanam.
Next, the question that naturally comes to our mind is From where to purchase Pazhani Famous Panchamritham? Plenty of shops are available in the entire town which sells Panchamritham. The best place to buy is from Devasthanam Outlet maintained by Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple Trust. There are counters on the Hill top as well in Adivaram. There are plenty of options available for your pleasant stay to spend your holidays peacefully. Hotels are available on all slabs right from local lodges to star level. Apart from private or individual accommodation providers, the Temple management is having around five lodges in and around the temple namely Dhandapani Nilayam, Karthikeyan Viduthi, Chinnakumarar Viduthi, Idumban Kudigal and Velavan Viduthi. Temple Rooms are neatly maintained and the tariff is very nominal. There are several food outlets available in all this place of interests. You get the chance to taste spicy and delicious South Indian food varieties. There are infact tourist guide available for your need, but you can manage visiting all the tourist spots without them at ease.
How to Reach Palani?
The nearest airports are Madurai and Coimbatore which are approximately 100 Kilometers and 105 Kilometers away from this Pilgrimage Town. TNSTC, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates many buses from various parts of Tamil Nadu State to reach this religious destination. National Highway NH 209 connects this town to Coimbatore and Bangalore. Few passenger trains pass through Palani Railway Station at present. Southern Railway is operating a direct train from Chennai daily. Nearest Railway Station is Dindigul which is around 60 Kilometers away from this tourist destination. Buses and Passenger trains are available from Dindigul to reach your holiday spot.
What to see in this Holy Town to make the holidays more memorable?
The Following are the list of sightseeing places in Palani. There are 10 must see religious places and they are Palani Murugan Hill Temple, Dhandayuthapani Temple, Mariamman Temple, Idumban Temple, Periya Nayaki Amman Temple, Kannadi Perumal Temple, Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, Thiru Avinankudi Temple, Aivarmalai Temple and Shanmuga Nadi Temple. Bhogar samadhi a must see pilgrimage place. Kuthiraiyar Water Falls and Thekkanthottam Water Fall are the 2 water falls to be visited to fulfill your holidays with fun and excitements. Two dams in this holiday spots are Palar Dam and Varathamanathi Dam. Bison Wells Sanctuary is a perfect place to relax and refresh yourselves. Other attractions include Saravana Poigai, Madattukkulam and Ayakudi.
PALANI MURUGAN HILL TEMPLE: This Thirukkovil is one of the six Abodes of Lord Murugan. There are Normal Steps, Elephant Steps, Winch and Rope Car to reach the top of the Hill Temple. If you opt for normal steps then, you may have to climb around 693 steps to reach the hill temple that is situated at an altitude of 500 feet. The idol of main deity was created by Bogar Siddhar, who is one of the 18 Siddhas, using Nine Poisons (Navapashanam). On hearing the word PALANI, what comes to ones mind immediately is the local famous PANCHAMRITHAM, a mixture of five ingredients namely honey, raisins, banana, jaggery and dates. It is the Prasad that is distributed to the devotees. Daily Six Poojas (Aaru Kaala Poojai) performed are Vishvaruba Dharsanam at 5.40 AM, Vila Pooja at 6.50 AM, Sirukala Shanthi Pooja at 8.00 AM, Kala Shanthi Pooja at 9.00 AM, Uchi Kaala Pooja at 12.00 Noon, Sayaraksha Pooja at 5.30 PM and Rakaala Pooja at 8.00 PM. Lord Murugar will be in different Alangarams every day and they are Sanniyasi Alangaram (6.40 AM), Vedan Alangaram (8.00 AM), Balasubramaniar Alangaram (9.00 AM), Vaitheekal Alangaram (12.00 Noon), Raja Alangaram (5.30 PM) and Puspha Alangaram (8.00 PM). During festival days procession of Giri Valam and Ratha Veethi takes places.
The important Vaganas are Golden Horse Vaganam, Golden Mayil Vaganam, Silver Kamadenu Vaganam, Silver Attukida Vaganam or Silver Rishaba Vaganam, Silver Mayil Vaganam and Silver Elephant Vaganam. Golden Chariot procession is held on all days other than festival days. The Silver Chariot procession happens on the 6th day of Panguni Utharam, Chitra Pournami and Last Adi Friday. Wooden Chariot procession is held on Thai poosam, Panguni Utharam, Vaikasi Visakam and Mari Amman Festival. Main tradition and religious practices of this divine Hindu place of worship is the tonsuring of head by devotees. Some of the festivals that are celebrated in a grand manner are as follows: Thai Poosam, Pankuni Uththiram, Chitra Pournami, Vaikashi Visakam, Aani Annabhishekam, Aadi Perukku, Aadi Krithigai, Aadi Ammavasai, Aadi Laksharchana, Kandhar Shasti ( Soora Samharam), Thiru Karthigai and Margazhi Poojai. Hundreds of thousands of devotees throng this place during festive season from all over South India. This worship place is usually open from 6.00 in the morning till 8.00 at night. During special occasions, its open at 4.30 in the morning. The main attraction is the Golden Car. Every day at 6.30 PM The Golden Car dedicated to Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Kovil will move around the temple complex on the hill top, popularly known as ''Thanga Ther Valam''. The walk around the hill temple along the foothills on a circular path is referred as ''Girivalam''. It is considered as auspicious among the devotees.
Devotees believe that if they perform girivalam, their wishes will be fulfilled by the grace of Lord Murugan. Here, the length of girivalam path is around 2.4 kms. Girivalam can be performed on all days, whereas it would be more effective if we do on the days that are so auspicious for Lord Murugan. It is also believed that while moving around the divine foothills with belief and dedications, one can get the blessings of Siddhargal (The Intellectual People having intellectual powers), who are staying on the hills since years. Tonsuring is one of the common practice of visiting devotees. To reduce the rush and waiting time, there are currently eight tonsuring sheds available for the devotees to fulfill their prayers. Those who are unable to climb steps to reach the hilltop can alternatively avail either Winch or Rope Car services. Winch having capacity to carry 36 devotees in a single trip, covers the one way distance of 290 meters in around just 8 minutes. There are winches available at present. While travelling in winch one get the chance to enjoy the beauty of hills which includes well maintained Greenish Garden, Ponds filled with Lily Flowers and Water Falls. Rope Car is much faster than Winch. It takes only around 2.45 minutes to cover the distance of 323 meters. Rope Car station looks beautiful with Italian and Korean Grass all around its place. Along the rope way, Artificial Water Fall can be seen along with eye catching location and gardens filled with flowers.
DHANDAYUTHAPANI TEMPLE or DHANDAYUTHAPANI KOVIL is one the divine shrines of God Murugar located on the Sivagiri Hills. In this pilgrimage spot, God Murugar is worshiped in the form of "Karumaram". This place is located near to Thiru Avinankudi. The architectural style takes us back to the Pandya period. Main Garbhagriha has a Golden Gopuram. This worship place is open on all days from 6.00 AM to 8.30 PM.
In MARIAMMAN TEMPLE or MARIAMMAN KOVIL, the Main deity is Goddess Mariamman who is believed to be another form of Goddess Parvathi. Main Idol is covered with Golden Sheath on all Fridays. This worship place is open to all devotees from 6.00 AM till 9.00 PM. IDUMBAN TEMPLE is situated on the Idumban Hills. It is believed that the Sage Agasthiyar ordered his demon Idumban (The demon assisting Sage Agasthiyar Mahamuni) to take Sivagiri and Shaktigiri Hills as a place of residence in South India. The main deity Idumban subsequently became a devotee of Lord Murugar.
PERIYA NAYAKI AMMAN KOVIL is a large and spacious place of worship for Hindus and this kovil is dedicated to Goddess Periya Nayaki Amman, also recognized as Goddess Parvathi, who is the mother of Lord Murugar. Architecture of this shrine resembles traditional South Indian Architectural style. Also seen are small shrines of Lord Nataraja, Lord Vinayakar and Lord Muthu Kumaraswamy. Many sculptures are found on all the pillars.
THE KANNADI PERUMAL THIRU KOVIL is dedicated to God Vishnu. It is situated on a small hill which is 9 Kilometers from Palani. Name "Kannadi" in Tamil is derived from "Drishti" in Sanskrit, which means "Get Rid of Evil Eye".
THIRU AVINANKUDI KOVIL is one of the oldest place of worships for Hindus and Thiru Avinankudi Kovil is located at the footsteps of Palani Hills. This place is also known as "VELAYUTHASWAMY KOVIL". Main deity here is Lord Murugan. And he is portrayed here as sitting on a peacock as a child. Saravana Poigai - the Sacred tank attached to this place of worship, is the place where devotees take a holy dip or wet their feet before entering the blissful place.This place is considered as third abode of God Murugan. This divine venue is open for devotees from 6.00 in the morning to 8.00 in the evening on all days.
AIVAR MALAI is one of the historic important places for Hindus. In Tamil Language ''Aivar Malai'' means ''Five Hills''. It is situated almost 1400 feet above the sea level. It is mentioned in the famous Epic Mahabharata, that when the Pandavas were asked to leave their palace and during their journey there of, they took rest in this Aivar Malai. There are idols of God Vinayakar, Draupadhi and Pazhani Andavar are found inside this divine area.
SHANMUGA NADI KOVIL is situated just 4 Kilometers from Shanmuga Nadi Village, This is one of the important divine centres. Main deity is Lord Peria Avudayar who is also known as Lord Brahadeeshwarar - the creator of Universe. Idols of God Rudran and God Dakshinamoorthy are found inside this kovil.
THE BHOGAR SHRINE is located on the Hill Temple Corridor. It is believed that the Siddhar Bhogar lived during 3000 BC and he created the Idol of the main deity Lord Murugan.
Few known and unknown Surprising Facts about Palani:
Murugan Kovil is located on the Hills at the height of 1500 feet above the sea level. There is a Palli Arai (Bed Room) inside the divine premises. Each night custodians of this spiritual place informs Lord Murugan regarding the finances of the day. It is believed that the Panchamridham, the Prasadam given here have been prepared by Lord Ganesha to give to his father Lord Shiva and brother Lord Murugan. As per Hindu traditions, in most of the divine places the deity faces East, but in this Hill temple the deity is facing West.
Murugan Kovil is located on the Hills at the height of 1500 feet above the sea level. There is a Palli Arai (Bed Room) inside the divine premises. Each night custodians of this spiritual place informs Lord Murugan regarding the finances of the day. It is believed that the Panchamridham, the Prasadam given here have been prepared by Lord Ganesha to give to his father Lord Shiva and brother Lord Murugan. As per Hindu traditions, in most of the divine places the deity faces East, but in this Hill temple the deity is facing West.
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