TEMPLES AROUND PALANI
Thiru Avinankudi
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This ancient and large temple at the foot of the hill is the third Padai-Vîdu celebrated in song, classics, legend and tradition since antiquity. The official name of the shrine is Kulandai Vêlâlyudhaswâmi Temple; Thiru Avinankudi is the name of the place. A sacred tank is attached to the temple.
Thiru Avinankudi is among the earliest abodes of Muruga and perhaps it had humble beginnings under the shade of the Nelli tree (amla). Poet Nakkirar says that God Muruga holds at Thiru Avinankudi a Royal Court of all gods with saints emancipated and clad in saffron-dyed clothes and deer skin. The presiding deity is Muruga as a child sitting on a peacock.
A convenient and full view can be taken by the worshippers since the sanctum is on an elevation. He is like a kindly monarch on His throne who receives the humble tributes and petitions of His loyal subjects. The festival deity and the Nelli and Nagalinga flora and the shrine of Arunagirinâthar are worth your notice.
The temple was renovated lavishly between 1898 and 1910 by N. M. Subramanian Chettiar of Karaikudi and K. P. S. Palaniappa Chettiar of Kandanur. SP. Ramanathan Chettiar and other members of the first donor's family have added in 1968 a majestic râja gopuram — one of Palani's landmarks visible from the hill-temple. Since the late 1970's, a few small shrines and an artistic mandapam have been constructed, adding to the beauty of an already beautiful temple.
Idumban Temple
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Idumban Temple placed 2km from palani
This has a long legend and takes us to the time of Agasthya's penance here. The great Saga drawn by the sequestered sublimity of this region chose it for penance during his southern trip. After completing it satisfactorily, he dedicated to move further south words. Realizing the sanctity and sublimity hovering over these two hills, he then bade his mighty demon assistant to carry them popularly known as Sivagiri and Sakthigiri tying them onto a Kavadi. He obeyed.
Mari Amman Temple
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Mari Amman Temple placed 1.1 km from palani
If we pass some houses we can come to the most powerful Mariamman. The prosperity of this Devi incrased with the prosperity of the Palauakars. Palayakars were lords of small tracts, and Mariamman was their goddess of boundary. Naturally they propitiated her to get her grace.
Periya Nayaki Amman Temple
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Periya Nayaki Amman Temple is situated next to Mari Amman Temple & its placed 1.5 km from palani
Important temple going by the name of town temple, dedicated to Mother Periya Nayaki Amman, the local name for Parvathimatha, the august goddess of that illustrious Son Muruga. The temple is quite big and build in the south Indian architectural pattern. There are many mini shrines for Saivate Gods, like Muthukumaraswamy, Nataraja, Vinayaka etc.
Shanmuga Nadhi
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Shanmuga Nadhi is placed 3 km from palani
The bathing ghats on this river are at a distance of three kilometres from Palani town and can be reached from Adivaram by town buses 3, 4, 9 and 14. During the eclipses and on the days of the waning moon (new moon or āmāvasya), thousands flock here to have their sins absolved in the purifying waters. Kavadi bearers have a bath here before marching to the temple.
Shanmuga Nadi ghat is also a place for oblations to the dead; the devout perform post-mortem rites to deceased ancestors. There are many shrines on the banks of the river near the bathing ghat and elsewhere.
Periyavudaiyar Temple
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Periyavudaiyar Temple is placed 5.7 km from palani
The Shanmuga Nadi Group of Temples is situated 4 km from the Shanmuga Nadi Village, near Palani town. Peria Avudayar Kovil, situated on the banks of the Shanmuga Nadi River, is one of the important temples of the region. The temple is devoted to Peria Avudayar, also known as the Brahadeeshwarar, the Lord of the Universe.
The idols of other deities like Rudran and Dakshinamoorthy are also enshrined in the temple. The Palani Murugan Temple is another temple where worshippers visit to take a holy dip in the Shanmuga Nadi River, especially on Amavasai and Grahanam days.
Lord Shiva stayed separately on the other side of the Shanmuga nathi . His Temple is known as Peria avudiyaar koil. In this Temple there is no Ambal sannathi and no Goddess present. Vishnu, Brahma, Aathi Ruthramurthy , Dakshinamurthy are present. The Linga is swayambu and will have scars of arrow by a hunter once.Pradosham/sivarathri are very popular here.
Peru-Udayar (called Periya Avudayar Kovil) is by far the most important and deserves special mention. Located near the railway line on the banks of the shanmuga Nadi in sylvan setting, it is about four kilometres from the bus-stand reached by two stages, by buses going on the Old Dharapuram road for three kilometres and by walking one kilometre from the arch on that road. It is convenient to go by a taxi or auto rickshaw and alight at the doors of the temple.
Shanmuga Nadi ghat is also a place for oblations to the dead; the devout perform post-mortem rites to deceased ancestors. There are many shrines on the banks of the river near the bathing ghat and elsewhere.
Kulanthai Velappar Temple - Oddanchatram
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Kulanthai Velappar Temple is placed 23 km from palani
Kurinchi Aandavar Temple - Kodaikkanal
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Kurinchi Aandavar Temple is placed 64 km from palani & 5 km from the Kodaikanal
The name of this temple is SRI KURINJI EASWARE TEMPLE, Kurinji is the name of a flower which blossomes once in 12 years in the Kodaikonal hills. Taking this flower's name the deity here is called "SRI KURINJI EASWARE", In fact He is Lord Murugan.
Palani hills are 1086 ft.above sea level, whereas Kodaikanal is 7666ft. high. Kurinji Andavar koil is at a height of 6990 ft. to 7000 ft. The shrup flowers once in 12 years. The lord of Kurinji is Muruga. The flower is a symbol for lovers. Muruga is red complexioned; so is Kurinji.
Hence Kurinji flower and a temple for Muruga exists in Kodaikanal. The temple was built in 1936 by the Australian wife of Ponnambalam (Ceylonese) considered to be the father of the Ceylonese. It is 5 km from the Kodaikanal Lake dug in 1863, and in 1971 was taken over by the Palani Devasthanam.
Kulanthai Velappar Temple - Poombarai
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Kulanthai Velappar Temple - Poombarai is placed 84 km from palani & 19 km from the Kodaikanal
