Sacred mountain · Tamil Nadu (Palani town at foothill)
Palani Hills
पलनी मलै
Significance
Per Kanda Puranam, Murugan stormed off here after Shiva gave the divine fruit of wisdom to his brother Ganesha. Took the form of a renunciate (Dandayudhapani — staff-bearer) atop Palani — one of the holiest Murugan sites in Tamil Shaivism.
Pilgrim route
Sopanam — 670-step ascent (or rope-car / electric winch). Kavadi Attam during Thai Poosam: lakhs walk barefoot from across Tamil Nadu carrying decorated arches.
Best season: October–February; peak on Thai Poosam (January–February) when 2M+ devotees converge
Legend
When Narada presented a divine mango to Shiva to give to whichever son first circled the world, Ganesha walked around his parents (his world) and won. Murugan, in protest, came to Palani and adopted the renunciate form — "Pazham Nee" (you are the fruit) — origin of the name Palani.
Modern access
Vehicle accessible (road / bus / cable-car)
Temple at summit: Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple — Murugan as renunciate with staff
Nearby tirthas
- palani-dandayudhapani-temple
- kodaikanal
- thirupparamkundram
See deep guides at /tirth.