Palani Hill Temple and the Idol
Lord Murugan is the deity of the Tamil Land. Palani (Tiru Avinankudi) is the third Padai Veedu. The temple at Palani is an ancient one. It is on an elevation of 1500 feet above sea level. The deity is called Dandayudhapani Swami, the Lord having the staff in his hand. The deity at the sanctum sanctorum is made out of an amalgam of nine minerals popularly called Navabashana.
The deity is in a standing position with a baton in his hand. He has
the look of a person who has renounced all worldly pomp. He has just a
loincloth besides the baton. He is a mute messenger of the great precept
'Renounce all to reach Me'. The icon is unique in the whole world. It
was made by Siddha Bhogar by combining nine poisonous substances (navabashana). Murugan signifies beauty and Lord Murugan of Kurinji land is the god of Beauty and Youth.
The Legendary, Historical and Spiritual Significance of the Hill Temple
There is a legend how Lord Murugan came to this
sacred spot. Narada Muni, a sage, brought a golden mango to the divine
court of Lord Siva when Lord Siva was seated with his consort Parvati
and His children Lord Vinayakar and Lord Subrahmanya. Narada gave the
fruit to Lord Siva and implored Him to eat since it was a rare,
miraculous Jñanapalam, the fruit of wisdom. As a loving husband,
Lord Siva gave it to Parvati and requested her to eat. As a loving
mother, she wanted to give the fruit to her children. As there was only
one fruit and it should not be cut, they announced a contest and said
that the winner would be given the fruit. Whoever completes one round of
the globe first will be given the fruit.
Lord Subrahmanya mounted His peacock to go
around the world. Lord Vinayakar circumambulated around His parents,
symbolising the world, and got the fruit. On return, Lord Subrahmanya
found that He was cheated. In anger, He renounced His family and came to
this spot to settle forever. Lord Siva and Parvati came to pacify Him.
They said, "Pazham Nee" ('You are the Fruit'). Hence the name Palani is a popular syncopation of the two words mentioned.
The presiding deity, Lord Dandayudhapani Swami, is the son of Lord Siva and son-in-law of Vishnu. He has other names such as Kulandaivelan,
Balasubrahmanyan, Shanmukhan, Devasenapati, Swaminathan, Vallimanalan,
Devayanaimanalan, Palaniandavar, Kuriñjiandavar, Arumugan, Jñana
Pandita, Saravanan, Sevar Kodiyon, etc. Tamils, Keralites, Bengalis,
Sri Lankans, Malaysians, Fijians, Africans, Australians and Americans
to name a few come here to worship Lord Muruga. Thus Murugan worship
cuts across provincial boundaries and national frontiers.
Cheaman Perumal, a ruler of Kerala, built the
main temple perhaps in the 7th Century AD. The Nayaks built the
Navaranga Mandapam which is a fascinating stone structure incorporated
by four pillars and endowed with nine bays. The other portions of the
temple have been built by the Pandiya kings, besides a number of local
heads, religious groups and individual devotees.
Pujas
There are six pujas every day. At 5 am the Lord gives Visvarupa Darshana. The first puja is Vizhapuja at 7:15 am followed by Kala sandhi at 8am, Uchikalam at 12 noon, Sayaraksha at 6 pm and Rakkalam at 8 pm.
Golden Chariot
The Golden Chariot goes round the praharam on the top of the hill in a ceremonious procession along with nadaswaram, Tiruppukazh
music and other temple paraphenalia at 7 pm on all Karttikai days and
as per the request of the devotees. The illuminated Golden Car is a
veritable fairyland.
Festivals
Panguniuttiram, Thai Pucam, Kanda Sasthi, Agni
Nakshatram are the major festivals. Vaikasi Vishakam, Tirukkarttikai
and other festivals are also celebrated.
Kavadi & Pada Yatra
Devotees from various places bring different types of kavadis and offerings to the Lord by pada yatra or foot pilgrimage, the most popular time
being Thai Pucam.
Bhogar Shrine
The Bhogar Shrine is in the southwestern
corridor of the hill temple. Siddhar Bhogar created the icon (the
amalgam of nine minerals) and did daily services. He lived long ago,
perhaps 3000 BC. A medical prodigy as he was, he could prepare the
amalgam on nine medicinal minerals in proper proportion. In this shrine,
pujas are offered to Navadurga, Bhuvaneswari and Maragatha Lingam that
were worshipped by Bhogar. It is said that there is a subterranean
tunnel linking the shrine with the sanctum sanctorum through which
Bhogar is said to go to the main idol and perform daily pujas as he is
said to be only in nirvikalpa samadhi.
Pañchamirtam & Rakkala Sandanam
Lord Muruga is Abhisekapriya (fond of
anointment), especially Pañchamirta (fruit jam having medicinal
properties). The Devasthanam prepares pañchamirta, vibhuti and other
items which are sold for reasonable price. Like Pañchamirta, the Rakkala
Sandanam (sandal paste placed on the deity during the night) has
special significance and sanctity.
Haulage Winch
To climb the hill, there are also winch trolleys in addition to the traditional route of 697 steps.
The Hundial
The Hundial is the cash collection box. It is
the backbone of the economy of the temple. Palani Dandayudhapani Swami
Devasthanam has the honour of being the temple of highest income in
Tamil Nadu and second only in all India after Tirupati.
Annadanam (Offering meals to poor pilgrims)
Giving annadanam at the hill temple at
12:30 pm is a useful scheme for the benefit of the devotees. If a donor
deposits Rs 25,000, the interest of it will be utilised for annadanam on a particular day as per the request of the donor.
Tonsure ceremony is a special feature of Palani. Many devotees of all ages perform tonsure ceremony at Palani.
Tiruvavinankudi, Periyanagaki Amman temple,
Shanmuganadhi group of temples, Idumban Hills, Vishnu temple, Pada
Vinayagar temple, 108 Vinayagar shrines around the hill temple, the
Kuriñjiandawar temple (Kodaikkanal), the Velappar temple aat Poomparai
(Kodaikkanal) are the important constituent temples adminstered by
Palani Dandayudhapani Swami Devasthanam.
This temple is under the control of the Hindu
Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of
Tamil Nadu. There is a Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer to look
after the day-to-day administration of Palani temples. He works in close
association with the Chairman, Board of Trustees and other members.
Accommodation
The Devasthanam has constructed pilgrims'
resthouses, single, double, deluxe and air-conditioned rooms as well as
cottages. Reasonable rates are collected from the devotees.
Palani is reached by just three hours drive from
any of the nearest airports: Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchy. It is an
important railway station on the Dindugal-Coimbatore line. The nearest
tourist information office is at Madurai. There is a Palani Devasthanam
Information Centre at the Palani bus stand.
Panchamirtam, Vibhuti, souvenirs of Murugan,
toys, handicrafts, pictures of the Lord and publications of the
Devasthanam are among the souvenirs one can bring home from Palani.
Seven worship services are carried out each day
here. The day commences with the Viswaroopa darisanam in the morning.
The concluding worhsip service involves a procession of the deity in a
golden palanquin in the temple and the palliyarai sevai.
Panguni Uttram is celebrated for 10 days as the
annual Bhramotsavam. This festival is celebrated only at
Tiruvavinankudi in the foothills to Muthukumarar the festival deity
here.The Ther Thiruvizha is held on the last day of this festival.
Offerings of Kaveri water brought from Kodumudi by thousands of devotees
in kaavadis are made to the deity.
Agni Nakshathram is celebrated in the month of
Chittirai and Vaikaasi.During this time, thousands of pilgrims
circumambulate the hill. Vaikaasi Visaakam is celebrated for 10 days.
Skanda sashti is celebrated for 7 days.
Soorasamharam is enacted on the last day of this festival in which both
Chinna Kumarar the festival image of the hill temple and
Muthukumaraswami of Thiruvavinankudu participate.
Kaartikai Deepam is celebrated for 10 days. In
addition Kaartikai asterism in each month is celebrated with a
procession of a golden chariot in the hill temple. Thai poosam is also
celebrated for 10 days here.
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