 Palani
is one of the most
famous temples of
South India which
is dedicated to
Lord Subrahmanya.
Palani is in the
Madurai District.
The hill has a height
of 450 ft. The famous
steps to Palani
are 659 in number.
The idol is in the
form of a recluse.
The legend goes
that Subrahmanya
was angry with his
parents Lord Siva
and Parvati for
having given the
rare fruit to his
brother Ganesha
who had outwitted
him in a challenge.
He came to Palani
Mala and became
a recluse. The idol
is an amalgamation
of navapashana,
nine poisons, constituted
in a particular
combination by a
muni called Bhoga
Muni. The touch
of this idol is
said to have a lot
of curative effects.
The statue has the
Lord standing with
a stick or Dandam
and hence he is
also called Dandayudhapani.There
are a lot of festivals
celebrated here.
A lot of Mohammedans
also worship here
and they call him
Palani Baba. Kadamba
is the Sthala Vriksha.
There is a practice
of bringing offerings
on their shoulders
on Kavadis. The
wish is then considered
to be granted. This
practice began in
accordance with
a legend wherein
Idumba’s requests
were granted by
Muruga to allow
him to stand as
Dwarapala and also
to bless whoever
made offerings to
him on a Kavadi.
Idumba was supposed
to have brought
Lord Siva and Parvati
on a Kavadi here.
It is said that
incurable diseases
like Leukoderma
and Asthma can be
cured by the use
of Abhishekham water.
The temple is very
rich and receives
thousands as collections
and also owns a
lot of property.
The town Palani
has a railway station
which is well connected
by the important
towns in the south.
The temple is at
a distance of two
miles from here.
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