Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy - An Arupadai Veedu Temple

► Palani (Dhandayuthapani Swamy) (Arupadai Veedu)
(Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu)

☗ Palani Hills (The temple is situated on the foot-hills of Palani Hills. Shivagiri and Shaktigiri are two dominant hills.)
▬ River Shanmuga Nadi flows (Around 3 km away from Palani. Many lakes of Palani Hills drain in this river)
(Tamil Nadu Uplands)
(Tamil Nadu Western Ghats)

• Murugan: Sri Murugan settled down at Palani (an Arupadai Veedu Sthalam) leaving Kailasha after a challenge with brother Ganesha.
- Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple

1. Sri Muruga leaving Kailasha and going to Palani: Sri Muruga left Kailasha and moved to Palani after a challenge with brother Ganesha.
- Events: Once Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati in order to test their sons Ganesha and Muruga, challenged them in a race to encircle the world. Whoever does it first will get a special fruit as a prize. While Sri Muruga set off on his peacock, Sri Ganesha encircled his divine parents saying that they were the universe themselves. When Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati declared Sri Ganesha as the winner, Sri Muruga in frustration left Mount Kailasha and came to Palani. Sri Muruga was clad only with a loin cloth like an ascetic, and he was holding a dandam (staff). Hence he is called Dandapani or Dandayudha Pani.
- Note: The idol of Muruga in Palani is unique in that it is made up of nine herbs. It is known as Navapashanam. Siddha Bogar is said to have created this idol. There is a shrine of Siddha Bogar in the Palani temple.

2. Idumban carrying Shivagiri and Shaktigiri Hills: Idumban carried Shivagiri and Shaktigiri Hills like a kavadi.
- Events: Lord Shiva gave sage Agastya two hills called Shivagiri and Shaktigiri to be placed in the southern part of India. Idumban volunteered to carry those hills as an act of service. He carried them on his shoulders like a Kavadi and proceeded towards the south. However by the will and play of Muruga the hills got fixed in Palani itself and Idumban remained there as his devotee.
- Note: To commemorate this incident devotees carry Kavadi on their shoulders with river water and pay homage to the Idumban shrine located half-way in the Palani hill. Agni Nakshatram is a special festival in Palani when devotees perform Girivalam or circumambulation of the hill. Some devotees carry the Kavadi during Girivalam.