Saranam Ayyappa

Sri Dandayuthapani (Palani Murugan)

The history of the temple begins from Mount Kailash with a mango fruit brought by Maharshi Narada. Child Muruga left His parents and came to this place as He could not get the mango for not fulfilling the condition to get the fruit. Lord Shiva followed Him. Lord Muruga halted at this place. Mother Parvathi did Her best
for a compromise. But the Son was unrelenting and expressed His desire to stay here itself. A temple came into being for Kuzhandai Velayuthar as He was a child (kuzhandhai) then. Great woman Tamil poet Avvaiyar, known not only for her poetic excellence but also for wisdom, called Muruga Pazham Nee and the place came to be known as Pazhani. Pazham in Tamil means fruit and also ripe knowledge.

Idumban was carrying two hills, Shivagiri and Shakti Giri to Pothigai as commanded by Sage Agasthya. Shivagiri has Lord Shiva attributes and Shaktigiri has that of Mother Parvathi. Idumban placed these mounts down here as he could not bear the weight. Lord Muruga stood on Shaktigiri and refused to come down despite Idumban’s repated demands. When Idumban decided to fight against the Lord, He showered His grace on him and kept with Him. As Muruga was holding a Danda-staff, the Lord came to be known as Dandayuthapani. Siddha Bogar who was here, made an idol of Navapashana (nine herbals) and installed in the temple. He became the presiding deity of the hill temple and became popular among the devotees.

Dandam also means a cane a tool for punishment. Lord Muruga graces here as a teacher explaining the uncertainties of life. As a teacher, He holds the Danda to correct erring pupils. In His ascetic form, Lord Muruga also teach people to shed the natural evils of greed, lust etc. in their mind and be free from passions leading to misery.

Siddha Bogar, living here than was treating people with herbals. He was assisted by his disciple Pulipani. All devotees are indebted to Bogar for gifting us Lord Himself. His monument is within the temple.

The parrot on the Danda of Lord Muruga has a fascinating religious story. All of us know there is parrot in the hands of Mother Meenakshi. There was a wicket poet Sambandandan jealous of saint poet Arunagiriar and thought of a revenge plan to eliminate him. He used his influence on King Prapuda Deva Raya requesting him to ask the saint poet to get the Parijatha flower from heaven to prove his supremacy. Arunagiriar flew into the sky in a parrot form leaving his human form in the Tiruvannamalai tower. This is an exercise called Koodu Vittu Koodu Paithal – leaving the original body form in a safe place and enter into the body of another – for noble purposes. After completing the mission, the performer leaves the adopted body and re-enter into his own.

When Arunagiriar left with his parrot body in search of the Parijatha flower, wicked Sambandandan found the human body of the saint and cremated it so that Arunagiriar cannot re-enter into his original body and appear in his human form and be his competitor. When Arunagiriar was shocked to see his body burnt, Lord Muruga blessed him by having his parrot form in His staff.

Reverting to the Idumban story:

When Idumban challenged Muruga when He refused to come down from the Shaktigiri hill, Lord Vinayaka, elder brother of Lord Muruga came to the rescue of his younger brother. Yet, He had a doubt. Vinayaka won the Mango race which hurt Muruga and may still harbour that anger against him. So Lord Vinayaka took the form of a serpent and began to fight with Idumban. This Vinayaka is on the hill path near Idumban shrine with His leg on a serpent. He is praised as Pada Vinayaka. Padam means foot. Before proceeding on the hill, the devotee should worship Vinayaka here. The footprints of Lord Muruga also are behind Vinayaka.

Tiru Aavinan Kudi is the third army camp (Padaiveedu) of Lord Muruga where He reached after His misunderstanding with parents. As He was a child then, Valli and Deivanai are not with Him here. As Muruga has all Shiva attributes, there are shrines for Lord Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswara and Bhairava on the prakara walls of the sanctum sanctorum.

According to tradition, worship of Lord Dandayuthapani in the hill temple should begin from the Peria Avudayar 4 km from this place, Mother Perianayaki and Kuzhandhai Velayuthar shrines are also here.

The name Tiru Aavinankudi is linked with Mahalakshmi (Tiru), Gomatha the cow (Aa), Inan (Sun), Ku (earth) di (fire the Agni) who worshipped Kuzhandhai Velayuthar here. Their idols are in the inner corridor – prakara of the temple.

Lord Muruga also granted a Japa Mala to saint Arunagiriar when he sang the Lord’s praise. The saint has mentioned this in his songs.

Brahmma Theertha is on the north of Palani. On its bank, Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi, Lord Vishnu on His Garuda vehicle and Lord Brahmma on His Swan vehicle appear and grace the devotees. All three Lords are facing west which has its special significance religiously. Worshipping them together ensures total relief from sins, it is believed.

There is a spring on the hill path called Valli Chunai where Muruga graces devotees with Valli in wedding form. Women devotees pray here with the yellow thread (mangal Sutra). Mother Valli also graces sitting alone under the Vilwa tree nearby. Abishek is performed to Nagar (serpent deity) in the Valli Chunai.

Lord Muruga graces His devotees in three forms. 1) The Lord grants darshan in a wedding form with Valli and Deivanai without the peacock vehicle in Periyanayaki temple, 2) as a child on the peacock in Tiru Aavinan Kudi temple and 3) with His Danda-staff in the hill temple. It is indeed a very rare fortune for the devotees to worship the Lord in three forms in a single place.

While Aipasi Annabishekam is performed to Lord Shiva only in temples, it is performed to Lord Muruga in Palani. This is done on the Jeshta star day in the month of Aani at the midday pujas in the hill temple and on the Moola star day in the same month at the Tiru Aavinankudi Kuzhanthai Velayuthar temple during the evening pujas. The Annabishekam is performed to Lord Shiva on the Uthrada star day in the Periyavudayar temple.

Idumba, belonging to the earlier story of carrying two hills to Pothigai, has his shrine on the hill route. Abishek to Idumban is performed at 3.00 a.m. followed by Puja at 5.00 p.m. Pujas to Muruga follows in the hill temple only afterwards. There is a shrine to Idumba on the hill path, appearing with the two hills on his shoulders. There is also a Nandhi before the shrine with his foot prints and of Kadamban.

As Guru, sage Agasthya is in the shrine with Idumba and Kadamba on his side. As the sage also is in the shrine, water Prasad is offered to the devotees from his kamandala, a bowl with a handle used by the Rishis. It is believed that Agasthya himself is offering the Prasad himself that contains rich medicinal properties.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

According to legend, the sacred Suyambulingam discovered by the king of Gods indira at Kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in Madurai. The fact that the Lord is seen on the vehicle of Indira in this temple is said to be proof for this. Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early A.D The temple was almost completely
destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic conqueror Malikkapur. As kings who were followers of Islam were noted for their intolerance towards other religions, the invaders destroyed most of the ancient sculptures of the temple. Thirugnanasambandar the Hindu Saint has mentioned the temple in his songs which go back to early 7th century.

The Lord has been described as Alavai Iraivan in his songs. The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the Hindu Kings came back to power in Madurai. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. The King Thirumalai Naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple according to records.

Balram Avathar

While all avathars are incarnations of Lord Vishnu it is Aadisesha the five hooded of snake on which Mahavishnu reclines in his 'yoganidhra' that incarnates as Balarama.

Balarama was born to Vasudeva and his first wife Rohini. Thus he becomes the elder brother of Lord Krishna. There is not much significance in this avathar. From the
evolutionary angle this avathar marks the
period when human started a settled way of life taking to agriculture- Balarama is pictured as carrying a plough on his shoulders. Being a contemporary of Krishna the spot light is more on Krishna than on Balarama.

Sri Rama Avathar

Rama avathar is called Dharma Avathar. He not only overcame 'adharma' (evil forces) but also taught man kind how to lead a perfect life of truthfulness, kindness, obeisance to parents etc.Now we will go to the story. In the north of the Ganga was the great kingdom called Kosala. Its capital was Ayodhya. King Dasartha ruled over the Kingdom.The people of Kosala were very happy contented and virtuous. The land was protected by a mighty army and no enemy could come any where near.

But the King Dhasartha was always very sad because he had no children. King Dhasaradha wanted to perform asvamedha yaga in which a Horse is sacrificed in the alter to beget a progeny and consulted his religious teachers for their advice. They agreed that performing asvamedha yaga would bless the king with a heir to his throne.

All arrangements were completed and the cermonies were setin motion strictly as enjoined by the Shastras. Out of the sacrificial fire came a goddess with a vessel of nectar which King dasaratha gave to his queens.

In time Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and satrugun were born. The king was over-joyed and brought them up with great care. They were schooled in all arts, vedas and sasthras. They were so valorous that when the boys were only about 16 years old sage Viswamithra came to the king and complained that 'rakshasas' were obstructing the sage from performing their yagas etc and requested the king to to send Rama with him to kill the demons. Accordingly Rama set forth with the sage and killed all the demons.

King Janakar 0f mathila kingdom was a very pious and righteous ruler. He was long without and issue and prayed to Lord Vishnu for a child. One day when the king was getting his land ploughed he found a female child with a strong bow At the time when Rama with Sage Viswamithra was in forests kill in gall the demons the news came that King Janaka was conducting a'swayam-vara'- ceremony to choose a bride-groom, for sita who was by then grown up as an young maiden. The condition laid down by King Janaka was who-ever broke the 'Shiva-dhanush' that was found along with sita in the field that person would be chosen to marry Sita.

Viswamithra took Rama and Lakshmana to the 'swayamvara' where they were received with the respect due to the princes. A number of princes tried their and in bending the bow but they could not even lift it. However Rama effortlessly lifted the bow and broke into two to the amazement of all present and the delight of sita who was watching the proceedings from a balcony above the hall. Rama married sita with great pomp and pageantry and went back to Ayodhya with his bride and Lakshman and Viswamithra. When it was time king Dasaratha wanted to crown Rama as the king and retire to the forest to devote his time to penance renouncing all pleasures of life. Called 'vana-prastha- asram this is considered the last stage in a man's life. Kaikeyi the third wife of dasaratha and a step-mother to Rama however wanted her son Bharatha to be crowned the king Long time earlier Kaikeyi saved the life of King dasaratha when his chariot over turned. Pleased King Dasaratha Promised kaikeyi two favours she would ask for. She however did not ask for anything at that time but said that she would make her wish known at the appropriate time later.

Now she invoked the promise that King dasaratha had made and asked that Bharatha be crowned the King instead of Rama. Her second wish was that Rama should be banished to the forest and live there for 14 years as an ascetic before returning to the kingdom. King dasaratha was distressed in the extreme as he had a soft corner for Rama as his eldest son. But he was cornered.

When Rama heard about his step mother's wishes he voluntarily steped down in favour of Bharatha and also agreed to go to the forest for 14 years. King dasaratha was saved the unhappy task of telling Rama to do these. But he was very sad at the thought of Rama going to the forest and died broken hearted. Rama was not shown the remains of his father but was hustled into going to the forest. Lakshmana his brother and sita his wife insistedon going with him and reluctantly Rama agreed. So the trio set for thon their 'vana-vasam' (residence in the forest).Bharatha the son of kaikeyi was however not happy to reign over the kingdom as his mother wanted him to but went into the forest in search of Rama to persuade him to return to ayodhya take the crown.When Bharata did meet his brother Rama would not agree to return to the kingdom but insisted that his step-mother's wishes should be fulfilled. So Bharata took the pair of Rama's wooden slippers with him to Ayodhya, kept those on the throne and ruled as the Vice-roy of Rama. Rama set up an 'ashram' in the forest and settled down there with his brother and wife. One day Rama went for a hunt and left Lakshmana behind as a guard for Sita.

The present day Sri lanka was then ruled by the ten-headed demon king Ravana. He was an ardent devotee of lord Shiva and had the distinction of having sung the whole of 'Rig veda' in songs. He attained great prowess doing penance to Lord shiva became power-drunk and mis-ruled over his kingdom leading a life of laxity. Once Ravana's sister Soorpanagai was wandering around in the fore stand ran into Rama and Lakshmana and was struck by the hand some features of the princes. She went up to Rama and spoke to him coylyto entice him but Rama was so much devoted to Sita that he would not countanence any other women in his life. He chasticed her and drove her away.

She next went to Lakshmana with similar intentions. But Lakshmana did not like her obsene manners and to spite her he cut off her nose with his sword. Soorpanaga vowed to take revenge on both the brothers She ran to her brother Ravana and mis-represented her encounter with Rama and Lakshmana. She also told him about the rare beauty of Sita and kindled his desire to possess Sita. So he took the form of a deer and went near the ashram. Sita was so struck by the beauty of the animal and wanted to keep it in the ashram. She asked Rama to bring the deer to her. Rama went after the animal which was running fast taking Rama away from the ashram. At one point the deer gave out a cry "hey Lakshmana"mimicrying the voice of Rama. Sita was panic stricken and thought Rama was in deep trouble and asked Lakshmana to immediately go and see what was wrong. Lakshmana protested that his job was to guard Sita and nothing would have happened to valorous Rama. On Sita's insistence Lakshmana left the ashram to look for Rama. All the while Ravana was watching and when Lakshmana was out of sight pounced upon Sita and carried her away in his sky-chariot to Lanka as his kingdom was called.

Rama was disconsolate when he returned and found sita missing. Heup braided Lakshmana for leaving sita unguarded. On regaining composure they both set forth in search of sita. On their way they saw the wounded jatayu the eagle who told them that he saw Ravanathe King of Lanka carrying away Sita south-ward. Jatayu was wounded by Ravana when he tried to rescue sita.

So Rama and Lakshmana went south-ward towards Lanka in search of Sita. On the way they met Hanuman who became most faithful and devoted to Rama. Through Hanuman Rama got the following of Sugriva and his army of monkeys. Sugriva and his brother Vali had some family quarel and rama siding with Sugriva killed vali. This act bound Sugriva to Rama.

Rama sent Hanuman to search for sita in the south-ward region and scourging around Hanuman found sita in the asoka- vana in Lanka disconsolate and sorrounded by evil ladies. Hanuman met sita and took from her a ring to show to rama that he had indeed found sita and returned to Rama who was over-joyed that his sita was still alive. Rama set forth with the army of monkeys to rescue sita. Knowing the powers of Ravana Rama prayed to lord for strength to fight Ravana and his hordes. Shiva granted him the boon. Armed with this Rama invaded Lanka. After an epic battle he vanquished Ravana and his army and rescued Sita.

By this time the prescribed peiod of 'vana-vasa' was over. So Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman the ever-faithful flew back to Ayodhya in a 'pushpaka- wimana' (sky-chariot bedecked in flowers)They were received by the people of Ayodhya with pomp and pageantry. Rama was crowned the king of Kosala and commenced his glorious rule. This in short is the epic story of Rama the perfect. Mahavishnu took this incarnation to show to the world an example in virtuous living. From another angle this marks the period when human solved as a perfect being in the long process of evolution.