Palani

About the city

The story behind the carrying of kavadis up to Palani goes like this. Lord Shiva asked Sage Agastya to set right the balance of the world by installing two hillocks in South India. But the sage abandoned the burden in a forest and instructed his disciple Idumban to carry the two hillocks Sakthigiri and Shivagiri (where the temple of Shiva's son Murugan currently stands) to him. A staff appeared above the hillocks and celestial snakes fastened themselves to the rod like ropes. Idumban slung the kavadi over his shoulders and set off again.

Idumban set down his kavadi near Palani to take rest, which immediately got rooted to the spot. Lord Murugan, the de facto proprietor of the hill, wandered along. When Idumban asked for help Murugan said the kavadi now belonged to him. An altercation ensued and Idumban was killed.

Lord Shiva restored him to life and granted that those who carry kavadis to Murugan's temples for the fulfillment of vows will be blessed

This hill temple is one of the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Muruga. In the sanctum, the Lord stands as an young ascetic holding a dhanda. Hence He is known as Bala Dhandayudhapani. According to a legend, Muruga lost in a contest with His brother Vinayaka over a rare mango. He left Kailas in a huff and came down to this hill. Here, Lord Siva pacified Him saying that He Himself is the embodiment of Gnana (Knowledge). The Lord came to be known as Palani Murugan or Palani andavar. There is another legend associated with Palani. The hills named Shaktigiri and Sivagiri were once carried on the shoulders by idumban, the disciple of sage Agastya, at the Rishi,s bidding for his worship. On his way, Idumban placed the hills here to take rest. But when he wanted to carry them again, he could not lift them. To his surprise, Iduban noticed Muruga standing there, claiming Sivagiri to be His. This led to a clash between the two. Agastya intervened, pacified Muruga and woshipped the Lord there. Muruga blessed Idumban and gave him a permanent place in Shaktigiri. The popular kavadi in this temple is in commemoration of this legend.

The deity of Muruga is said to have been created by Bhoga Siddhar, an ardent devotee, by using Navapashanam (an amalgam of nine poisonous minerals). The continuous process of abhisheka and alankara are noteworthy in the temple. The abhisheka prasada is said to have curative properties. The temple at the hill summit (140 metres high) can be reached by climbing 659 steps or by using the electrical winch.