Famed for the
Lord Muruga temple, Palani is located at a distance of 105 km from
Coimbatore. Palani is a major pilgrimage center in India, and thousands throng the Lord Muruga temple on the hill top. Situated at an altitude of 1,068 ft, Palani has an area of about 7 sq km.
According to the legend Sage Agastya wanted to take two hills—Sivagiri and Sakthigiri—to his abode in the South and so he wanted his disciple Idumban to carry them. Idumban took the two hills slung across his shoulders, in the form of a 'kavadi' one on either side. When he was tried, he placed the kavadi near Palani to take rest. Meanwhile, Lord Murugan sat on this hill in anger against his parents who gave a prized fruit to his brother for going around his parents on behalf of going around the world. Later his father convinced him by saying he himself was the fruit of wisdom and knowledge, viz., 'pazham nee' which became Palani. Later Idumban was killed in the battle with Murugan and restored life. He got two blessings from Lord Murugan, fulfilling all wishes of the people whoever came with the kavadi to the temple and he wanted himself to stand in the entrance of the hill. Since then, pilgrims to Palani bring their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi.
Kodaikanal is a nearby attraction. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore. Madurai Airport is 115 km away. Palani has a railway station on the
Dindigul–Coimbatore meter gauge line. Palani is well connected by road to major cities in South India.
