Though Hinduism is spread out to the whole wide world, the deities they fondly submit to (ishta deivam) are closely connected to their own origin. Though, there is only one deity in Hinduism who is so closely connected to the language of a society.

“Tamil Kadavul” Murugan has owned a special place in the hearts of Tamilians all around the world, loved like their own ancestor. Devotees come pouring into every Murugan temple during the times of festivals like Thaipoosam, Panguni Uthiram, Sura Samhaaram etc, in the counts of millions. But, there are only 6 temples affectionately called the “Arupadaiveedu” (Six Abodes), which holds the most prominent place among the devotees of Lord Muruga. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swami Thirukkovil is one among them.

STORY OF DHANTHAYUDHAPANI

There is a sacred tale known to the Tamil society for millenniums, and it is celebrated as one of the original stories about Lord Muruga. There may not be a single Tamil descendant in history who had not known the Story of Lord Muruga and Gnyanapalam. For those who are new to the story, it goes like this.

One day, Sage Naradha visited Mount Kailash to get the blessings of Lord Shiva and offered the fruit of Wisdom called “Gnyanapalam”. Upon Naradha’s request that the fruit should be consumed in its entirety, the legendary fight for the Gnyanapalam between Lord Muruga and Lord Ganesha began. Lord Muruga being never known to back from a challenge, decided to complete the job of circling the world straightforward, without thinking about making a smart move. But, on the other hand, Lord Ganesha chose to play smart and circled his parents, God Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

When returned after a glorious trip, Lord Muruga was furious to know he had been tricked out of having the Gnyanapalam. In his mind, his own failure to see the trick outweighed the loss of the fruit. Upon further contemplation, he decides to reach his adulthood in solitude. He disregarded and discarded all his belongings and took up meditation in the mount of Palani.

HISTORY

The most celebrated feature of the temple, the idol of Lord Muruga was consecrated by the saint Bogar, one of the eighteen legendary Siddhas of Hinduism. He was believed to have made the idol with a mixture of nine deadly poisons or navapashanam, all of which when mixed in a certain ratio, forms an amalgam of divine proportions. There is a shrine to Bogar in the temple, which is believed to be connected to the heart of the hill and it is also believed that Bogar still meditates there with eight idols of Lord Muruga.

The temple has a special golden chariot (thanga thaer) which resides a bronze statue of Lord Muruga riding a peacock with its wings beautifully spread out. It is taken out into the premises on the days of the month of Karthikai and on other 6 auspicious days for Lord Muruga.

Lord Muruga is celebrated every day with abishekams, among which the four regular abishekams to mark the hours of the day are considered more special. The devotees are intimated for the abishekams by the ringing of the heavy bell in the hill, which can be heard all around the city on a quiet day.

The Devotees show their devotion to Lord Muruga commonly through the act of tonsuring.

FESTIVALS

As mentioned earlier, there are some special days in a year that are believed to be auspicious for celebrating Lord Muruga in his own greatness. Among these special days, there are 4 major festivals dedicated to the excellence of Lord Muruga, which are monumentally celebrated in Palani and other abodes of Lord Muruga. Those festivals are Thai-poosam, Pankuni Uththiram, Soora Samharam and Vaikhashi Vishakam.

Thai Poosam is considered the most prominent festival in the temple of Palani and is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai, the month of Tamilar Thirunal. The day of its celebration lies on the first full moon day of the month. To visit the temple during this time, devotees put themselves through several kinds of struggles, hoping to please Lord Muruga and get his blessings for a joyful and peaceful life. The hardships include abstinence and pilgrimage to the temple barefoot. People from every corner of the state converge at Palani during this day and celebrate Lord Muruga with Kavadi, Alagu etc.

Similar to Thai poosam, Panguni Uththiram falls on the full moon day of the Tamil month Panguni, the last month in the Tamil calendar. The day is also considered special as the nakshatra “Uththiram” coincides with the full moon day of the month.

Soora Samharam is celebrated to commemorate the historic battle of Lord Muruga, resulted in the demise of Soorapadman, also known as Padmasura. The divine incarnation of Lord Muruga is celebrated during Vaikasi Vishakam. During these extraordinary days, the temple of Palani will be packed with devotees, visitors and tourists from all around the world and predominantly from every part of South India.  Though one has to struggle to find accommodation during these days, there are hotel rooms near Palani temple, in Palani adivaram and in and around Palani, with great features and booking facilities.

FEATURES AND SPECIALTIES

To attract tourists and to support elderly visitors, the winch and rope car facilities are available at affordable rates. The experience of riding in the winch and the rope car, over the temple of Palani is an extraordinary experience for everyone riding it for the first time. The other speciality of Palani temple is its own famous prasatham – Panchamirtham, which is loved and cherished by the devotees and even tourists from the corners of the world.

There is no denying the fact that Palani is one of the most special Murugan temples around the world. But, apart from that, it is a place where he was believed to have resided to understand himself. By this act, Lord Muruga became a symbol for millenniums to come, that a boy, even if he is a God, only becomes a man when he truly understands himself. The shrine of Palani stands as a physical embodiment of that idea as Lord Dhandayudhapani stands at his spiritual excellence.