Palani
Palani
(Pazhani -
Tiruvaavinankudi) is one of the six padai
Veedu shrines of Murugan, representing the sites where Murugan the valiant
commander of the gods sojourned, while he proceeded to battle against the
demon
Soorapadman. Palani is probably one of the most
visited and the most endowed temples in the state of Tamilnadu. The
Dhandayudapani Temple is located on the 450 feet high
Palani Malai in the town of Palani near Madurai. 690 stone steps line the
mountain passage and an electric winch also takes pilgrims up the hill.
This temple is referred to in the Tamil work
Thirumurugatruppadai
of Nakeerar of the Sangam age (pre Christian era).
Arunagirinaathar,
the saint poet has composed 95 verses on Palani in his
Thirupugazh.
The Palani Malai hill temple and the Tiruvaavinankudi temple at the foot
hills form a composite unit. The Tiruvaavinankudi temple is referred to as
Kuzhandhaivelayudar temple and the
Saravanpoigai tank is
located near it.
Legend has it that the celestial sage Naaradhar approached the abode of
Shiva, Mount Kailasa with the celestial fruit of knowledge -
Gnyanappazham.
While both the sons of Shiva wanted the fruit, Shiva and Parvati decreed
that the one to first complete circumambulating the universe would get the
celestial fruit.
While
Subramanya mounted his peacock and went around the
Universe,
Vinayakar circumambulated his parents Shiva and
Parvathi on the premise that Shiva and Parvathi stood for the Universe and
thus obtained the coveted celestial fruit.
Angered by this denial, Subramanya left Kailasam and took up his own abode
at
Palani and refused to return to Kailasam. He then went
on to take up abodes on several of the Hills in the Tamil country leading to
the popular tamil phrase,
"Kundru Thorum Kumaran".
Tiruthani
Tiruthani
constitutes one of the 6
padai veedu shrines of
Skanda, and it represents the site where
Subramanyar
stayed after destroying the demon
Surapadman.
Legend has it that
Subramanyar married
Valli who hailed from the Vallimalai hills nearby.
Legend also has it that
Indra the king
of the Gods gave his daughter
Deivayanai in marriage to
Skanda, and along with her presented his elephant
Airavatam as part of his dowry offering. Upon Airavatam's
departure Indra found his wealth waning. Subramanyar is said to have offered
to return the white elephant, however Indra bound by protocol refused to
accept a gift that he had made, and insisted that that the elephant face his
direction, hence the image of the elephant in this temple also faces the
east The hill called Thanikai Malai where Lord Muruga went for leading Life
of Meditation here Lord Murugan is known as Thanikachalam.
Swamimalai
Swamimalai
is hailed as one of the 6 padai veedu shrines of Skanda where he sojourned
during his battle against the demon Soorapadman. It has been praised in
Tirumurugaatruppadai of the Tamil Sangam period and by the Tiruppugazh hymns
of Arunagirinathar.
This temple is associated with the legend of Skanda having re-initiated his
father Shiva, with the concept of the oneness of creation of Omkaram.
Subramaniar is enshrined with Valli alone in the shrine in the inner
prakaram and he is known as Senapati. Also in the southern precincts of the
inner prakaram is Subramanyar enshrined as Sabapathi again with Devasena,
with his arms stretched as it is seen in Natarajar images. Also enshrined is
Shammukhar with his consorts Valli and Devasena.
»
»
