Dandayuthapani Kuzhandai Valayuthar Temple

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Overview : Lord Murugan is considered to be the deity of Tamil Nadu. Palani (Tiru Avinankudi) is found to be the third Padai Veedu. The temple is situated in Palani. It is an ancient temple and is located at a height of 1500 feet above sea level. This temple is also called the Dandayudhapani Swami. The Lord holds a staff in hand. The deity in the temple comprises a combination of nine minerals that are known as Navabashana. The deity is seen to be in a standing position. The deity has a baton in hand. He appears like a person who has renounced the material life. He wears a loincloth. The deity is a mute messenger of the concept of 'Renounce all to reach Me'. The deity was crafted by Siddha Bhogar, and was created as a combination of nine poisonous substances or the navabashana. Lord Murugan is seen to signify beauty, and Lord Murugan of Kurinji is seen the god of Beauty. About the temple : The temple is located upon Sivagiri, the tallest of the two Palani hills. The sanctum of the temple is of Chera architecture. But the ambulatory that falls around it is of Pandya architecture. Covering the sanctum is the gopuram of gold, with several sculptures of the presiding deity, Karthikeya. In the inner praharam, there are two major shrines in the heart of the temple, one each, to God Shiva and Goddess Parvati. In the second outer ambulatory, is the shrine of Karthikeya’s brother, Ganesha, alongside the carriage-house of the God’s golden chariot About the deity : The idol of God Muruga is said to be made by a mixture of nine poisonous substances which forms a medicine when mixed in the right proportions. The deity is placed on a pedestal of a stone that represent the God Muruga in the form he assumed at Palani. God Murugan is witness bearing nothing but a loin cloth and armed only with his staff, the dhandam, as befits a monk. An interesting aspect about the deity is that he faces west rather than east, the traditional direction of all Hindu temples. Another unique aspect of the God Murugan is that he is featured with very large ears. It is believed that he listens to every single prayer and wish of each devotee. Legend : There are several legends behind this famous temple. One such tale revolves around Sage Narada visiting the God Shiva in Mount Kailash to present him with Gyana Pazham (Fruit of knowledge). God Shiva upon receiving it decided to split it among his two sons, Ganesha and Murugan, but Sage Narada advised against it. As a result, Shiva decided to give the fruit to the son who could first circle the world thrice. On hearing this, God Muruga climbed on his peacock and started his journey around the world. However, Ganesha considered his parents Shiva and Parvati as his world circumambulated around them. Pleased with the son’s respect, Shiva awarded the fruit to Ganesha. When Murugan returned from his journey, he was furious to see all his efforts were in vain. In rage, he fled from Mount Kailash and took shelter in the Palani hills of South India. God Muruga realized that he needed to discard his immaturity and decided to stay in the Palani hills as hermit. After renouncing his family, God Shiva and Parvati came down to pacify him and referred to him as ‘Pazham Nee’ (You are a fruit). This was the origin of his current name, Palani. Other Information : Darshan timing: 6AM to 20.00PM Darshan timing | During festival: 4.30AM to 20.00PM Significance : This temple is visited by devotees for prosperity and relief from adversities. How to get there or Accessibility : Air: The nearest air port is in Coimbatore. Rail: Trains to Palani are available from Podanur (Coimbatore), Palakkad and Dindigul. The Murugan Temple is about 2 km from the railway station and can be reached by autorickshaw or bus. Road: The state transport corporation and a lot of private bus operators ply bus from Palani to major cities in Tamil Nadu Rare Fact : The idol of Chinnakumarar (Palani Murugan), an elegant form made of bronze, is placed on top of a golden peacock giving out a beautiful stature with its widened feathers. Now this striking combination is kept on top of the Thangaratham or golden Chariot and is taken around the prakaram during Kirthigai days and on specific six festival days. There will not be any such procession of the Gold Chariot on Thaipoosam, PanguniUthiram, ten days during Dasara festival, SooraSamharam and KarthikaiDeepam in PalaniMurugan Temple. The lighted up golden car is absolutely enchanting. People gather just to witness the golden chariot and get the blessings of lord Murugan. Temple asthananadaswaram, Thiruppugazhbajan group and all other people usually form part of the ceremonious Thanga Thervalam. A devotee has to pay charges if he wants to draw the golden chariot around the prakaram