Dindigul - Place of Interest

The temple was constructed in the period of Chera Kings rule of South Kongu Nadu. In the epigraphs found in the Karpagraham dated 13th century it is known that Pandiyan Kings, Chola Kings also contibuted much for the festivals of this temple and worshiped Lord Muruga.

There is also a book named Thalapuranam ( Temple History ) of 400 pages published at the Lord Muruga Worship and Tamil Cult conference which deals in detail about Palani and Murugan. The conference proceedings will be published soon. Deligates from various part of the world participated in the conference and presented papers about Palani and Murugan.

People arrving Palani by walking all long the way. This is known as "Paadha Yathirai" - means "Holy walk". Chain of people reaching Palani from all the direction. Usually people around 250Km perform this Holy walk. People arrive Palani starting from 10 days before Thai Poosam festival. Buses were diverted from the roads reaching Palani inorder to facilitate the piligrims.

While walking people chat, listen to walkman ( listening Bajans ), groups singing Bajans, etc.,, Usually people carry their homemade food on their head. The piligrims wear green or saffron or yellow color clothes. Small shops sell drinking water and snacks became usual bussiness during Thai Poosam festival.

• Piligrims taking rest on the sides of the road sheilding the sunlight using the Kavadi.
  
  
• Piligrims approaching Edumban Malai.
  
  
• Piligrims on Edumban Malai foothills. ( click the image to see the enlarged view )
  
  
• Piligrims on arriving Edumban Malai served with food packets by Palani Devasthanam
  
  
  After having food Piligrims take bath at the Edumban Lake
  
  
• Wonderfull Panoramic view of Edumban Lake, Western Ghats mountains forms background layers to the scene. The Lotus leaves floating on the Edumban lake gives the depth of the scene.
  
  
• After taking bath at the Edumban Lake piligrims visit the temple at the foothills of Edumban Malai.
  
  
• Man offering "Chadur Theangai" - (Break the coconut in such a way that shatter into pieces) After the worship , the piligrims are ready to start to Palani Malai to see Dhandayuthapani ( Lord Murugan).
  
  
• Some Piligrims visit Edumban Malai also on their way to Palani Malai.
  
  
• Step way to Edumban Malai, there is only one way. Beautiful view of Palani town appears as we ascend the Edumban Malai top.
  
  
• The edumban Temple at the top of Edumban Malai.
  
  
• Edumban carrying the two hills Sathi giri and Shiva Giri is seen on the Scantum.
  
  
• Approximately 20 feet Edumban Idol made up of rock is the deity of this temple.
  
  
• Magnificient view of whole Palani temple from Edumban hill. (this is my favorite photo). click on the image get a screen wide view.
  
  
• View of Palani Temple Golden Gopuram from Edumban Malai, also see Palani temple Raja
  
  
• Gopuram is getting ready for Kumbabishegam to he held in the mid on year 2000.
  
  
• View of Palani town while we descend from Edumban Malai.
  
  
• Piligrims walk crossing Edumban Hill, the approximate distance between Edumban Malai and Palani Hill is 1 Km.
  
  
• As we approach Palani Hill we can see the crowd of "Bakthars" accumulated around the hill.
  
  
• Bakthars carry Milk for Abishegam of Lord Murugan, some Bakthars carry Kavadi, those who carry Kavadi perform wonderful dance which is known as "Kavadi Attam". They come in groups and they are also accompanied by Traditional Musical equipments known as "Parai" and "Thappu" etc,. The reverberating beat along with the Kavadi Attam one is plunged into the Bakthi vibration.
  
  
• Kavadi Attam
  
  
• We can see a man dancing with "Tender Coconut Kavadi" known as "Elaneer Kavadi"
  
  
• Kavadi decorated with peacock feathers and flower garland.
  
  
• Crowd around Paadha Vinayagar Temple.
  
  
• The crowd on the road approaching Palani malai from bus stand.