Palani Murugan Temple

Symbolically situated at the top of a hill, Palani is perhaps the most celebrated of the Murugan temples in India. An ancient pilgrimage site dedicated to the quintessential Tamil deity, Lord Muruga, the Palani temple is a part of Indian folklore and Hindu tradition. Palani is one of the Aaru Padai Veedugal of Murugan in Tamil Nadu, and he is worshipped here in the form of Lord Dandhayudhabani.

The idol of Lord Muruga worshipped here is made from an amalgam of nine minerals known as navabashana. It is generally believed that an ancient ruler from Kerala, Cheraman Perumal, built the first temple here in the 7th century AD. Pandyan and Nayak rulers of nearby Madurai have made significant contributions to the temple through the ages.

The Legend of Palani Murugan in Tamil Nadu

The story surrounding the Palani Murugan temple is a well known Tamil legend. The sage Narada presented a divine mango, known as jnanapalam or fruit of wisdom, to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, who in turn wanted to give it to their children – Ganesha and Muruga. As there was only one fruit, Shiva devised a test for his sons– the first to circumambulate the Earth would win the divine fruit. Lord Muruga immediately mounted his peacock and began his journey around the Earth.

Lord Ganesha, meanwhile, whose mount was a rat, knew he could not beat his brother in this race, and after giving the matter some thought, went around his parents claiming they were his world. Lord Shiva and Parvati were satisfied with this explanation and awarded the mango to Ganesha. Lord Muruga, who completed the circulation of the Earth, however, felt slighted at this gesture and went away to Palani Mazhai, or the Hill of Palani, to meditate and express his displeasure. It is in this form, in a standing posture and holding a staff, that Murugan is worshipped as Lord Dhandayudhabani at Palani.