The Six Holy Abodes of Lord Muruga - Arupadai Veedu - Palani !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

Vetrivel Muruganukk Ara Aro Ara !!

 

Thiruvavinankudi / Avinankudi – Lord Dandayudhapani temple is situated on the hilltop known as Sivagiri in a height of  1500ft from the sea level .  Palani is at a distance of about 60km from Dindigul, Tamilnadu.   This is one of the oldest temples of Dravidian architectural style built in 7^th century by Pandya kings.   Nayakas also made abundance of contributions to this temple in form of Navaranga Mandapam one of the fascinating structures of this temple.   There are several stairs to climb up to have the dharshan of the Lord and there is an Elephant Path also there to ease the hardships of devotees.

 

The presiding deity: Kuzhanthai Velayudha Swami / Dandayudhapani Swami.  The idol of the presiding deity is made of Navapashanam (made of 9 nine herbs) by Siddha Bhogar.  In this temple, Lord Dhandayudhapani giving dharshan to his devotees in renunciation form with a spear on his hand.

 

Sannidhis: Lord Annamalayar with his consort Unnamulai Nayaki, Lord Ganesha,

 

Siddha Bhogar Sannidhi can be seen on the south –west corridor. Moreover, the images of Goddess Nava Durga/ Bhuvaneshwari and Marakatha Siva Lingam (made of Emerald) also can be seen in the Shrine of Bhogar.

 

Mangalasasanam: Saint Arunagirinathar sung many songs praising the glories of Lord Muruga in this temple.

 

Pushkarani – Saravana Poikai – Holy dip in this pond washes off all the sins committed in life.

 

Sthala Vruksham – Amla Tree

 

Festivals: Thai Poosam, Panguni Uthram, Vaikasi Visakham, Shoora Samharam – Skandha Shashti, Thiru Krithikai – golden chariot drawn through the praharam on all Karthikai days, Thai Amavasya, Marghazhi Ustavam

 

avanithani lEpi Randhu madhalaiena vEtha vazhndhu
     azhagupeRa vEna dandhu ...... iLainyOnAy

arumazhalai yEmi gundhu kudhalaimozhi yEpu gandru
     athividhama dhAyva Larndhu ...... padhinARAy

sivakalaigaL Aga mangaL migavumaRai Odhum anbar
     thiruvadiga LEni naindhu ...... thudhiyAmal

therivaiyarkaL Asai minji vegukavalai yAyu zhandru
     thiriyumadi yEnai undRan ...... adisErAy

mavunaupa dhEsa sambu madhiyaRugu vENi thumbai
     maNimudiyin meedha Nindha ...... magadhEvar

manamagizha vEya Naindhu orupuRama dhAga vandha
     malaimagaLku mAra thunga ...... vadivElA

bavanivara vEyu gandhu mayilinmisai yEthi gazhndhu
     padiyadhira vEna dandha ...... kazhalveerA

paramapadha mEse Rindha muruganena vEyu gandhu
     pazhanimalai mEla marndha ...... perumALE

 

The legend has that, Sage Agastya assisgned the work of reallocating the two hills Sivagiri and Sakthigiri as his dwelling place in South to one of his disciple Idumban.   Idumban effortlessly plucked the two hills, carried it on his shoulders and walked away casually.  As soon as he arrived in Palani, he felt exhausted and put down the hills he was carrying all the way.

In the mean time, Sage Narada arrived at Mount Kailash and provided a mango fruit – a fruit of elixir of wisdom to the divine couple Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.  Sage instructed to present their children with the rare fruit of ultimate wisdom without cutting it into two pieces.  The divine couple was in utter dilemma.  Lord Shiva called out for their beloved children and given a test, the test was whoever circumambulate the Universe for three times and arrive first would be benefitted with the rare mango fruit of wisdom.  Soon, Lord Muruga started in his celestial vehicle peacock to circumabulate the Universe.  Lord Ganesha helplessly looked at his figure and   started to walk around his divine parents.  Seeing the devotion of the child, the most pleased Lord offered the mango fruit to Lord Ganesha. After sometimes, Lord Subramnya arrived on the spot all sweat and anxious.  He met Lord Ganesha with the mango fruit; Lord Muruga was fuming with anger and started to leave Mount Kailash.  Mother Parvati interviened and tried her all means to console the child.  In a sudden rage Lord Muruga left Mount Kailash and all the the luxuries behind, he left his royal attaire and walked away clad in loincloth with a spear in hand.  He arrived at the foot Hills of Palani and settled.  Lord Shiva pacified Lord Muruga; enlighten him with the very fact that Subramanya himself is the fruit of Wisdom and Knowledge.  Hence, this place has got the name ‘Pazham Nee’ to Palani.  Later, Lord Muruga withdrawn into the Hills of Palani, Lord Muruga can be seen in renunciation form in this temple.

At this point of time, Idumban tried to lift the two hills Sivagiri and Sakthi Giri to resume his journey.  It was impossible to lift the hills due to its enormous weight.  He came to know that it has become one of the divine Abode of Lord Subramanya.  Idumban engaged in a fierce battle with Lord Muruga.  Finally, the most compassionate Lord provided him with Salvation.  Whoever visits the temple of Lord Subramanya / Dandayudhapani should make a visit to the Shrine of Idumban before worshipping Lord Dandayudhapani at hill.   The usual practice is that the devotees pay obeisance to Idumban at the shrine located on the way to the Hill and resume their journey to Hill temple. The tradition of ‘Kavadi’ began in the later years to commemorate the above incident.

 

Vetrivel Muruganukk Ara Aro Ara !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!