About Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple
The Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple crowns the Sivagiri hill at Palani, in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the Arupadai Veedu, the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan (Kartikeya) in Tamil Nadu, and is counted as the third of them. Here Murugan is worshipped as Dhandayuthapani, "the one who holds the staff", in the form of a young renunciant with a shaven head and a simple loincloth. It is one of the most visited temples in South India.
According to legend, the sage Narada brought a divine mango fruit to Kailasa, and Shiva and Parvati promised it to whichever of their sons first went around the world. Murugan set off on his peacock, while Ganesha simply walked around his parents, saying they were his world, and won the fruit. Disappointed, Murugan gave up all possessions and came to this hill. Parvati comforted him, saying "you yourself are the fruit" (Pazham Nee), which tradition gives as the origin of the name Palani. The main murti is believed to be made of navapashanam, a compound of nine minerals, and tradition credits it to the Siddhar Bogar, whose shrine is within the temple.
The hilltop temple is reached by a path of about 690 steps, or by a winch train and a ropeway. The sanctum has a gold-covered vimana, and the temple has a golden chariot that is drawn around the inner corridor on many evenings. At the foot of the hill is the Thiru Avinankudi temple, considered the original abode in some accounts. Many pilgrims offer their hair in tonsure, and panchamirtham, a sweet made of fruit, jaggery, ghee and honey, is the famous prasadam of Palani.
Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Times may vary, and the temple opens earlier on festival days; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Vizha puja (dawn) | Around 6:00 AM (approx.) |
| Uchikala (noon) puja | Around noon (approx.) |
| Sayaraksha (evening) puja | Around 5:30 PM (approx.) |
| Golden chariot procession | Evening, on many days (approx.) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple
By air
Madurai Airport is about 120 km away and Coimbatore International Airport about 110 km away.
By train
Palani railway station is about 2 km from the foot of the hill and lies on the Dindigul-Pollachi line.
By road
Frequent buses connect Palani with Madurai, Dindigul, Coimbatore and Kodaikanal.
Festivals at Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple
- Thai PoosamJan/Feb
- Panguni UthiramMar/Apr
- Vaikasi VisakamMay/Jun
- Skanda ShashtiOct/Nov
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Traditional and modest clothing is expected. Many devotees wear saffron or green during festival pilgrimages.
- Entry
- Free general darshan; paid special darshan tickets and separate tickets for the winch and ropeway are available.
- Climb the steps in the early morning, when it is cool; the path has shade and resting places.
- Queues for the winch and ropeway can be long on weekends and festivals; book ahead where possible.
- Buy panchamirtham only from the official temple counters.
- Do not miss the Thiru Avinankudi temple at the foot of the hill.
- Mobile phones are usually not allowed inside the hilltop temple; use the deposit counters.
Places to visit near Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple
- Thiru Avinankudi TempleMurugan shrine at the foot of the hill, about 1 km away
- Idumban TempleShrine on the neighbouring hill linked with the legend of Idumban, about 1 km away
- KodaikanalHill station in the Palani hills, about 65 km away
Frequently asked questions
Is Palani one of the Arupadai Veedu?
Yes. Palani is one of the six Arupadai Veedu of Lord Murugan and is usually counted as the third.
How many steps are there at Palani temple?
There are about 690 steps to the hilltop shrine. A winch train and a ropeway are also available.
What are the Palani temple timings?
The temple is usually open from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with longer hours on festival days.
What is the famous prasadam of Palani?
Panchamirtham, a sweet mixture of fruit, jaggery, ghee and honey, is the famous prasadam of Palani.
What is the Palani murti made of?
Tradition holds that the murti is made of navapashanam, a compound of nine minerals, prepared by the Siddhar Bogar.
What is the aarti time at Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple?
Vizha puja (dawn): Around 6:00 AM (approx.); Uchikala (noon) puja: Around noon (approx.); Sayaraksha (evening) puja: Around 5:30 PM (approx.); Golden chariot procession: Evening, on many days (approx.). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple?
Traditional and modest clothing is expected. Many devotees wear saffron or green during festival pilgrimages.
How to reach Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple?
By air: Madurai Airport is about 120 km away and Coimbatore International Airport about 110 km away. By train: Palani railway station is about 2 km from the foot of the hill and lies on the Dindigul-Pollachi line. By road: Frequent buses connect Palani with Madurai, Dindigul, Coimbatore and Kodaikanal.
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