Happy TravellerWelcome to Palani, a town located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu state in India. Known for its rich history and religious significance, Palani is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike. The town is situated about 106 kilometres (66 mi) south-east of Coimbatore and 122 kilometres (76 mi) north-west of Madurai, 67 kilometres (42 mi) from Kodaikanal. The town derives its name from the compounding of two Tamil words palam meaning fruit and nee meaning you, a reference to poet Avvaiyars song praising Lord Muruga which forms part of the legend of the Palani Murugan temple. But the actual correct word is பழனி which means place surrounded by fruitful trees. The town has a population of 126,751 as of 2011, making it the second largest town in the district after Dindigul.
One of the main attractions of Palani is the Palani Murugan Temple or Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple (Thiru Avinankudi), dedicated to Lord Murugan. The temple is situated on a hill overlooking the town and is visited by more than 7 million pilgrims each year. The temple is home to one of the most sacred shrines of the Lord Muruga, as worshiped in the Hindu sect of Kaumaram. The Thandayudhapani Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan Palani Andavar, and regarded one of his Arupadai Veedu (Six Battle Camps), is situated here. The temple is situated atop a hill known as Sivagiri. The Garbagriham is surmounted by a gold gopuram and the walls of the Garbagriham have numerous stone inscriptions describing offerings made by devotees to the temple. Steps are hewn into the rock, besides a wide path meant for the ascent of elephants, up the hill. In addition, a winch pulled railway with three tracks and a rope way are operational. A temple is dedicated to Murugan near the foot of the hill by the name of Thiru Avinan kudi which actually forms a part of the six abodes of Muruga (Arupadaiveedu). It is also called as Kulandai Velayudhaswami Thirukkovil.
Besides the Palani Murugan Temple, there are several other temples in the town that are worth visiting. At the foot of the Sivagiri hill is a small shrine dedicated to the god Ganapathi, where he goes by the name Pada Vinayakar. It is customary amongst the pilgrims to pay their obeisances at this shrine before commencing their ascent of the hill. Halfway up the hill, there is the Idumban shrine where every pilgrim is expected to offer obeisance to Idumban before entering the temple of Dandayudhapani. The practice of Pilgrims to Palani bringing their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi is associated with the legend of Idumban. Within the town is another temple dedicated to the Goddess Parvathi as Periyanayaki Amman. Near the Periya Nayaki Amman temple are two others – the Mariyamman Temple and the Perumal Temple. The former is particularly resorted to in times of epidemics, the goddess there being regarded as the protector against illnesses. A short distance from the town is a temple dedicated to Shiva as Periya Avudaiyar. The Kannadi Perumal Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is a small temple situated on a hillock 9 km south of Palani, a short distance from the highway to Kodaikanal.
Apart from its religious significance, Palani is also known for its scenic beauty. The town is situated at the foothills of the Palani Hills, which is an offshoot of the Western Ghats. The view within the town is dominated by the two hills, Sivagiri and Sakthigiri, on the former of which lies the temple. At the foot of the hills lie several lakes which drain to the Shanmuganathi river, a tributary of the Amaravathi River (itself a tributary of the Kaveri River), which takes its source on the slopes of the Palani Hills. The town is also a popular base for exploring the nearby hill-station of Kodaikanal.
Getting to Palani is easy as it is well-connected by road, rail, and air. National Highway NH 83 connects Coimbatore to Nagapattinam via Palani Tiruchirappalli Thanjavur. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited TNSTC buses connect the town to other parts of the state. The nearest major airports are Coimbatore International Airport located 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Palani and Madurai International Airport located at 130 kilometres (81 mi) from Palani. Tiruchirappalli International Airport is the next nearest, 164 km from Palani.
In conclusion, Palani is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the rich cultural and religious heritage of Tamil Nadu. With its stunning temples, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality, Palani is sure to leave a lasting impression on every traveler who visits this enchanting town.
