Agni Natchattram Festival in Palani is celebrated during the peak period of summer. It is a 14 day period in May, which is the hottest part of the year. This is the occasion when a rare flower named Kadamba, blossoms at the foothills of the Palani hills. Special poojas are performed during this festival to Lord Murugan, known as Dhandayuthapani Swami, throughout this period.
Kadamba flower is believed to have medicinal properties, and piligrims and locals wearing the Kadamba flower on their hair circumvent the holy Palani Hill (this circumventing is known as Giri Valam) in the early morning when this flower blossoms.
Saint Arunagiri Nathar has mentioned in his great work Thiruppugazh that the Kadamba flower is the foremost flower to offer for Muruga worship.
