About Palani Murugan Temple
Lord Murugan, the divine son of Shiva and Parvati, is the main deity of Palani Murugan Temple, a holy and famous shrine situated on a hill in Palani town, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is also called Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, as Murugan is revered here as Dhandayuthapani, the one who carries a staff (danda) in his hand (youth).
The temple is regarded as the third among the six sacred places (arupadai veedu) of Murugan, where he chose to reside after leaving his family for a fruit. The temple draws millions of pilgrims every year, especially during the festivals of Thai Poosam and Panguni Uthiram.
History of Palani Murugan Temple
The temple has a fascinating story and history behind it. It is based on a Hindu myth, where Shiva gave a heavenly fruit to his wife Parvati and told her to offer it to one of their sons, Ganesha or Murugan, whoever came back first after going around the world.
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Ganesha, the smarter one, simply went around his parents and got the fruit, while Murugan, the more adventurous one, flew around the earth on his peacock. When Murugan came back and saw that Ganesha had already received the fruit, he was upset and angry.
He left his family and went to Palani Hill, where he became a recluse. Shiva and Parvati followed him and tried to calm him down, but he did not listen. He said that he only wanted their blessings and nothing else. He also said that he would bless his devotees who came to Palani with pure devotion.
Palani Murugan Temple: Cultural and Spiritual Treasure
The temple complex has many other shrines and structures, such as the golden chariot, the elephant path, the winch and rope car facilities, the holy steps, and the sacred springs.
The temple also has a rich cultural heritage and follows many rituals and customs that are unique to it. The temple has four daily poojas (worship services) and six yearly festivals. The most famous festival is the Thai Poosam, which falls in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February). On this day, thousands of devotees carry kavadi (a wooden or metal frame decorated with flowers and peacock feathers) and pierce their body parts with hooks and needles as a form of penance. They then climb up the hill and offer their kavadi to Lord Murugan.
Palani Murugan Temple is a place of immense faith and devotion for Hindus all over the world. It is a place where one can experience the grace and blessings of Lord Murugan, who is also known as Karthikeya, Subramanya, Skanda, Kumara, Shanmukha, Guha, Saravana, and many other names.
He is the god of war, wisdom, youth, beauty, and love. He is also the patron deity of Tamil Nadu and Tamil language. He is the beloved son of Shiva and Parvati, who left his home for a simple fruit, but became the lord of Palani Hill.
Palani Murugan Temple Darshan Timings
- The temple is open for darshan from 6.00 AM to 8.00 PM on usual days.
- On important festival days like Karthikai, the temple is open from 4.00 AM to the Rahu kalam (an inauspicious time period).
- The temple has four daily poojas (worship services) at 6.30 AM, 8.00 AM, 12.30 PM, and 8.00 PM.
- The temple also has six yearly festivals, such as Thai Poosam and Panguni Uthiram, when special poojas and rituals are performed.
- There are different ways to reach the temple on the hilltop, where Lord Murugan resides. You can use the winch or rope car services, which operate from 5.00 AM to 7.30 PM. Or, you can take the holy steps to the temple, which many devotees consider a way of showing their devotion and repentance.
Best Time to Visit Palani Murugan Temple
If you are planning to visit Palani Murugan Temple, a holy and famous shrine of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, India, you might want to know the best time to go there.
The ideal time to visit Palani Murugan Temple is from February to March and October to December. These are the months when the weather is comfortable and not too hot or cold.
How to Reach Palani Murugan Temple
Different ways to reach Palani Murugan Temple, depending on your mode of transport.
Here are some of the options:
- By Train: The closest railway station to Palani Murugan Temple is Palani Railway Station, which is on the Dindigul – Coimbatore meter gauge line and is 5 km away from the temple. You can board a train from various cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and others to Palani. You can then take a bus, taxi, or auto-rickshaw from the railway station to the temple.
- By Car: You can reach Palani by road from various major cities and towns in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Palani has good road connectivity via NH 83 or NH 209. The approximate distance from Chennai to Palani is 450 km, from Coimbatore to Palani is 100 km, from Madurai to Palani is 120 km, and from Kodaikanal to Palani is 65 km. You can find a parking space near the temple and pay a small fee.
- By Plane: Coimbatore International Airport is the closest airport to Palani, which is around 110 km away. You can fly to Coimbatore from various domestic and international places. You can then take a bus, taxi, or cab from the airport to Palani.
Once you reach Palani, you can choose one of the following ways to reach the temple on the hilltop:
- By Winch: Winch is a cable car system that takes you to the temple in about 5 minutes. The winch station is located at the side of the hill. The winch operates from 5.00 AM to 7.30 PM. You need to pay a ticket fee of Rs. 10 for adults and Rs. 8 for children.
- By Rope Car: Rope car is a different cable car system that takes you to the temple in about 7 minutes. The rope car station is situated at the back of the hill temple. The rope car runs from 5.00 AM to 7.30 PM. You need to pay a ticket fee of Rs. 60 for adults and Rs. 20 for children.
- By Foot: You can also climb up the hill by foot using the holy steps or the elephant path. you have to climb around 650 steps to reach the temple. This is a way of showing your devotion and dedication to Lord Murugan. Many devotees do this as a form of penance and purification. It will take you about 20-25 minutes to climb the steps, depending on your speed and stamina. You can also enjoy the scenic views of the hill and the town from the steps.
So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Palani Murugan Temple today and discover the wonders of this ancient and holy shrine.
