Palani Murugan Temple Timings, History

Bala Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple also known as Palani Murugan Temple is the third Padai Veedu (abodes) of Lord Murugan, located in Palani, Dindugal, Tamilnadu. Lord Murugan is known by different names like Karthikeya, Skanda, Kadamba, Subramanya, Subramani, Shanmuga, Arumuga and Kumaraswamy, he is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi and his brother is Lord Ganesha. He has two concerts they are Valli and Deivayanai. The main deity Lord Baladhandayuthapani (Murugan) faces west while the tradition of all major idols in Tamil Nadu is to face east.

Palani is the most divine among all abodes of Lord Murugan, Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple is situated on the banks of River Shanmuganadhi and the temple stands majestically at the top of the hill. The Hill temple is about 500 ft height and has 693 steps to climb up. Old and physically challenged devotees can visit the temple with the Rope car facility.

Palani Murugan temple attracts lacs of devotees from all over South India carrying Kavadis and offering Abhishekams or tonsure. The temple is open all most for 16 hours. The other names of Palani Murugan are Kulanthai Velan, Chinna Kumaran, and Dhandayuthapani.

There are 4 ways to get to Palani Hill Temple. They are Step Path, Elephant Path, Winch Installation and Rope Trolley.

1. Steps Route: People have to walk on 689 steps.
2. Elephant Path: This road was actually built for the elephants to come up the mountain. This route can also be taken by devotees. There is a small water source on this road and it is called Valli Sonai. Devotees are not recommended to take this road when there is a group of elephants traveling on this road as it is very dangerous.
3. Winch Facility: This facility is mainly for children and senior Citizens who cannot climb hills. 3 winches are operated here and only nominal fees are charged.
4. Rope Car: Rope cart facility is also available to reach the temple. It will take about 3 minutes to cross 323 meters.

Pazhani Murugan Temple Timings:

On Regular Days: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
On Festival Days: 4:00 AM

Palani Murugan Alangaram:

Daily six Kala Poojas will be performed to Palani Murugan. Below are the daily Alangarams and the timings.

Palani Temple Timings Normal /Festival Days:

Palani Temple History:

Sage Agastya wanted to bring two hills, Sivagiri and Sakthigiri, to his southern abode and instructed his disciple Idumban to take them. Idumban carried the hills slung over his shoulders, in the form of kavadi on either side. When he was tired, he placed the kavadi near Palani to rest.

At this point, Lord Subrahmanya Swamy had been foiled in a contest to circumnavigate the globe. Lord Ganesh had won the prized fruit (Gnanapazham – Fruit of Knowledge) simply by walking around his parents. Long after that, Lord Muruga came sweating on his peacock and found that the prize had already been awarded.

In anger, the frustrated Subrahmanya left the divine parents and descended to Tiru Avinankudi in Adivaram (pronounced Adivāram, which means “foot of the hill of Sivagiri”). Siva appeased him by saying that he himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge; nee (you).

Since then the place was called ‘Pazham Nee’ or Palani. Later, he retired to the hill and settled there as a recluse in peace and solitude.

When Idumban resumed his journey, he could not lift the hill. Murugan had made it impossible for Idumban to do so. In the fierce battle that followed, Idumban was killed but later came back to life. Idumban prayed that: whoever carried on his shoulders the Kavadi, which means the two hills and visited the temple with a wish, should be blessed and he must be given the privilege of the standing sentry at the entrance to the hill. Thus, we have the Idumban shrine in the middle of the hill where every pilgrim must pay homage to Idumban before entering the Dandayudhapani temple.

Since then, Palani pilgrims carry their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi. The custom spread from Palani to all Muruga shrines around the world.

Festivals Celebrated in Palani Temple:

​Kandha Sasti / Soorasamharam – celebrated for 6 days
Thirukkarthigai / Karthika Deepam – celebrated for 10 days
Thaipusam or Thaipoosam – celebrated for 10 days
Paunguni uthiram – celebrated for 10 days

Monthly Festivals:

Chitra Pournami – celebrated for 10 days
Agni Nakshatram – celebrated for 7 days
Vaikasi Visakam – celebrated for 10 days
Annabhishekam
Aadi Perukku
Aadi Kiruthigai – Kavadi Festival
Aadi Amavasai
Aadi Latcharchanai
Markazhi Pooja In this month the temple will be open from 3:00 AM.

Associated Temple List:

On Palani Hill:

1. Dandayudhapani Swami
2. Malai-kolundu Sivan and Malai Nachiamman
3. Bhuvaneshwari (Durga) and Saint Bhogar

On Hill Steps:

4. Kuravadi-Velavar
5. Idumban
6. Vyavipuri-Durai
7. Kannimar
8. Valli-Amman near the Ariyar Mandapa

Tiru Avinankudi and at the Adivaram:

9. Kulandai Velayudhar
10. Ankili Parameswarar
11. Viliswarar
12. Patha-Vinayakar
13. Minakshi-Sundareswarar

On the Giri-Veethi:

14. Vira Durga-North Giri Veethi
15. Vana Durga – South Giri Veethi
16. Rakkala-matam Vinayagar
17. Durga on the West Giri-Veethi

Palani Town:

18. Periyanayakiamman, Muttukumaraswami and Kailasanathar Temples
19. Uttara Vinayakar
20. Kosala Vinayakar
21. Patini Vinayakar (Vyapuri tank bund)
22. Aparanji Vinayakar
23. Lakshminarayana Perumal
24. Venugopala Perumal
25. Pattathu Vinayagar

On the Shanmukha-nadi

26. Peniya-Avudayar
27. Nava-graha on the Bathing Ghat
28. r-Nachi-amman on the Varatama-ma-nadi

The Idumban Hill:

1. Kalinga-parai-Subramaniar

Kodaikanal Hill:

30. Kurinji ndavar Temple, Kodaikanal
31. Velappar Temple, Poomparai

Other Temples:

32. Vagisvara Swami Temple, Kiranur
33. Alakiya Chokanatha Perumal Temple, Kiranur
34. Cholisvara Swami Temple, Ayakudi
35. Ahobila Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Balasamudaram
36. Kulandai Velappar Temple, Oddanchatram
37. Vinayagar Temple, Palayam

How to Reach Palani Temple:

By Air:
The nearest airport is Madurai which is 140 km.

By Train:
The nearest railway station is Palani 2.3 km. Dindigul railway station is 67.6 km away.

By Road:
Direct buses are available from all major cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirupati, Bangalore, Erode,m Salem and Tuticorin.

Nearest Tourist Places:

Varathamanathi Dam 9.4 km.
Palar Porundalar Dam 11.1 km.
Thirumoorthy Dam, Falls and Dam 50.3 km.
Aivar Hill 19.9 km.
Kuthiraiyar Falls 25.6 km.
Kodaikanal 63.4 km.
Topslip Hills 2133 m above sea level and 124 km.

Palani Muruga Temple Address:

Giri Veethi,
Palani,
Dindugal District,
Tamil Nadu – 624601.

Other Six Abodes of Sri Murugan | Arupadai Veedu Temple:

1. Sri Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai
2. Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruttani
3. Sri Solaimalai Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai
4. Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur
5. Murugan Temple or Subramanya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram