Palani Things to Do

In the Adivaram or the foothills there are many shops selling all kinds of things. It is quite fascinating to go around and look even if you do not want to shop for something particular. Photos, idols, Vibuthi (sacred ash), vermillion powder, bangles, toys and other things for children and much more are available at very reasonable rates. It is fun to walk around the whole area. Beware of your belongings while strolling around.

It might seem a silly thing to do, but nevertheless!! Near the foothills of the Murugan Temple in Palani, there are many who would artfully decorate your car rear glass!! They use colour powders and the effect is quite stunning. Just for a very nominal amount you could get this done

It is a great experience to go up the winch to reach the Murugan Temple on top. The scenery on the way is beautiful and the devoted cries of the people on the way is to be experienced to be understood. The winch operates at specific timings but throughout the day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with nominal charges.

The Murugan Temple in Pazhani is an old Hindu temple and rituals are carried out following age old traditions. It is very fascinating to see the practices in the temple and those of the devotees. If you are fortunate, you can get to see the Lord's statue being taken around the temple in a Golden Chariot. It is a visual treat. Devotees throng to see this and to pull the chariot. The temple is bound to be crowded.

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Idumban Temple Palani

This Temple on hill is next to Palani Hill and its hardly visited by devotees which is quite strange for me as he is the guy from whom god snatched home for living. ( Long story to explain in short I am using simple language )

He was carrying two hill for his master and thought of taking rest at this place. At this time God Murugan came to this place and made this two hill so heavy that Idumban was not able to lift it. Ultimately they had big fight and Idumban lost this fight and two hills too. One hill was occupied by Lord Murugan and Idumban turned out to be big follower of lord Murugan and he occupied other hill.

This hill if you are planning to visit then be ready to get on to this steps its almost like more than 500 steps and for resting only three places are provided and all other steps are not covered by shade. So its better to go to visit this place early in the morning or late in the evening. Even if you are planning to go during day time then please carry bottle of water as you wont find any shops in between and on top there is water tank but that water can not be used for drinking. I dont have picture of deity ( Idumban ) here as we were not allowed to take picture. I hope you will enjoy this place too.

View of Palani hill Temple and Palani city can be best enjoyed from this place. I took my picture of Palani temple from this place as Golden Gopuram is not visible from temple premises.

South Indian style kaapi!

Tradition of Coffee is famous is all over south india and this review is for Tamilnadu general tip. Even though Instant coffee is famous serving traditional filter coffee is famous all over south india and still loved by lot of coffee lover.

Tradition Filter coffee is prepared by using two container

This website explains preparation for coffee step by step and really good explanation given on it.

In picture Traditional Madras-style Dabarah / Davarah and tumbler placed with the open end facing down as customary. This was the first time I saw coffee served like this. And it amazed me totally.

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Gopuram of Palani

The Gopurams or the Gopura are a prominent feature of Hindu Temples in the South of India. Gopurams are monumental towers,sth like pyramids in Egypt,well decorated and are the gateways through the walls that encircle the temple.
The Gopurams are mainly rectangular in shape tapering as they rise to the sky. The base of the Gopurams has ground level wooden doors very nicely decorated which provide access to the tower/Gopuram. As the Gopuram rises up, its size reduces and gradually reduces in diminishing storeys as the tower of the Gopura narrows. The Gopura is topped with the Sikhara Amalaka, a bulbous stone finial. The Gopurams are all over decorated with sculptures and carvings of figures derived from Hindu mythology especially those associated with the presiding deity.

Gaurdian Deities
Fierce Monster Images with protruding eyes and horns,mark the arched ends ends of vaulted roofs,and serves as gaurdian deities.

Sculptures on Gopurum
The Sculptures of the deities on the tower are repaired,repainted and ritually reconsecrated every 12 years

Opening on Gopurum
Opening in the middle of the long sides allow light to enter the hollow chambers at all level

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Shiva and Nandi Bull

Bull or Named " Nandi " is the mount and principal follower of God Shiva and can be found at the entrance of most of the temples.

Even it is considered as god too.This deity- also known as Pasupati is believed to have been worshipped as the keeper of herds.

This place is near to Valli's cave. This review is general for all Hindu temple.

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Valli cave & Wedding of Lord Murugan with Valli

This place can be reached by taking Yanai Padai ( Path meant for Elephant ),Valli spring is on overflow from a mountain-spring. It collects itself in a depression and forms a tank. Its surrounded by Fence and not allowed to enter. Its not entirely fenced but its safe not to put leg inside as the surface is very slippery and there was a case of person died here few years back.

Its really a long story to put it here, wikipedia has explained it really well.

Goddess Valli had love for Lord Murugan even in her previous life. The Lord was moved by the highest form of love expressed by Valli and he decided to woo her.

Valli's father assigned Valli to take in-charge of protecting the field from birds and animals who might damage the crops. Lord Murugan thought this is the best opportunity to meet Valli and therefore He assumed the form of a handsome tribal hunter and appeared before her, as if he lost his way on chasing a deer during hunting.

Valli did not recognize the stranger and promptly asked him to leave the place. And Hunter proposed his love to Valli.

Valli refused Hunter's proposal as she loved Lord Murugan only. This time Vallil's father about to come to meet valli and Hunter changed himself to old man. And Valli's father asked old man to stay with Valli till they return.

The old man was hungry and asked Valli for food, but it made him thirsty and asked for water. She gave him water and Lord in the form of old man asked him to get married to him. Valli got angered by old man's stupidity and Lord Murugan asked help from His brother, Lord Ganesha to appear as a wild elephant at that time. On seeing the wild elephant, Valli was scared and ran back to the old man, pleading Him to save Her from the elephant. Lord Muruga proposes to save Her only if She agrees to marry Him. she agrees and the Lord reveals His true form. It was then Valli realises that it was her beloved Lord, who was with her all the time.

Yanai Padai ( Path Meant for Elephant )

It simple, Elephant cant climb on steps to go on top of Palani Hill, so this path is built for Elephant

And winch and cable car started for devotees is in operation since 2005 before that elderly people/ people with physical difficult and those who were lazy they used to take this path to avoid grueling physical activity of climbing 950 plus steps. And climbing this steps without sandals its really difficult. Yes we have to leave our sandals or shoes before starting climbing on these steps.

And heat is also one of the biggest challenge here. there are few shades available on both the path but the remaining path will be heated up with heat from sun. So its better to take this Yanai Padai instead of steps. Incase if you have any wish to be fulfilled and prayed to god then you are free to take steps.