Most prominent God of south India is Lord Murugan. He has six abodes, one of them is in Palani, and here
the deity name is called as Palani Dhandayuthapani temple. The temple is
situated in Pazhani of Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu. This temple is about 100kms
northwest of Madurai.
How To Reach:
All the means of transport like Rail, Road and airways are
available. Nearest airport is just 3hrs journey. You can land in nearest
airport of Madurai and take a roadway journey to this place.
Many trains are connected to this place as this place is one
of important railway station in Dindugal-Coimbatore line. The station is just
2kms from the temple.
Roadways are the easiest way to reach here as Govt of Tamil
Nadu maintained numerous number of buses both Private and Govt buses. This
temple is connected to all the major cities of the state by roadways. Some
details of Roadways are given below.
56kms from Dindigul
472kms from Chennai
114kms from Madurai
103kms from Coimbatore
126kms from Erode
156kms from Trichy
Legends:
As per the puranas this place was permanent abode of Lord
Karthikeya son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Once Sage Narada bought a
fruit of Knowledge known as gyana Pazham
to the Kailasha (Home of Lord Shiva) and presented to Lord Shiva, Shiva want to
divide the fruit among his two sons but Narada refused to do so. Instead of
dividing the fruit, he put a test of revolving around the world thrice and the
winner will be given the fruit as reward. Karthikeya at once started off with
his Vahana Mayura(Peacock). But, Ganesha just revolved around his Parents, as
parents are considered as the world for children. Angered on his defeat
Karthikeya left Kailsha and flew towards Palani hill and made that place his
permanent abode. There he left his worldly pleasures and started doing
meditation.
Earlier to this event of race between Lord Ganesha and
Karthikeya a Sage named Agasthya sent
his disciple Idumabn to carry two
hills towards south to maintain the balance of tilt in mother Earth. Then
Idumban carries Sivagiri and Saktigiri on his shoulders as Kavadi , on his
journey he felt exhausted and place the hills down and took rest. Just then
Lord Karthikeya arrived on the hill. Later on resuming his journey one hill did
not moved. Knowing that Karthikeya was on the hill he grew furious and a fierce
battle took place between them. In that battle Idumban was killed. Later he was
regained to life.
After regaining life Idumban prayed to Lord Kathikeya and
became a sentinel (Protector) of the temple. He narrated that whoever carry on
his shoulders the Kavadi in significance of the two hills and visit here will
be blessed.
Poojas &
Festivals:
Many festivals are
celebrated in this temple like. Thai, Panguni, Chithirai, Vaikaasi,Aani, Aadi,
Kanthasati, Karthigai, Markali.
Regular poojas are done here in prescribed timings like.
POOJA
|
TIMING
|
Vishvaruba
Dharsanam
|
5.40
A.M
|
Vila
pooja
|
6.50
A.M
|
Sirukala
Shanthi Pooja
|
8.00
AM
|
Kala
Shanthi Pooja
|
9.00
A.M
|
Uchi
Kaala Pooja (Afternoon pooja)
|
12.00
NOON
|
Sayaraksha
(Evening) Pooja
|
5.30
P.M
|
Rakaala
Pooja
|
8.00
P.M
|
Accomodation facilities are also available in the temple
devastanam like Dhandapani nilayam, Karthikeyan Vidhuti, Goshala Vidhuti,
Cottages and Velavan Vidhuthi.
The first class rooms in Dhandapani Nilayam has been
renovated and made air conditioned. The advance booking of rooms can be done
through Official website of this temple.
Official Website :- http://www.palanimurugantemple.tnhrce.in/index.html
