Murgan Temple/Palani

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