Palani Murugan Temple – Chithirai Festivals
Chitra Pournami
On this day, a ten-day festival is conducted at Arulmigu
Lakshminarayana Perumal temple. At the Periyanayaki Amman Temple also,
Lord Muthukumara Swamy, along with Valli and Deivanai, rides in the silver car
along the streets around the Temple.
Agni Nakshatram
Agni Nakshatram is one of the important festivals at Palani.
During the last seven days of Chitrai and the first seven days of the following
month (i.e. Vaikasi) the devotees of Lord Muruga go around the Hill by foot,
early in the mornings.
On the 1st day, there is flag hoisting at
Tiruvavinankudi Temple and on all the 10 days Lord Muthukumara Swamy with Sri
Valli and Sri Deivanai goes in procession around the Palani Hill. On the 7th
day there is "Car Festival" and this is attended by thousands of
devotees. During these days the Lord also is given special reception and pooja
at many 'mandapams' in the Palani Adivaram area. It is a grand sight to see
Lord Muruga with his concerts during these processions.
As per the Palani mythology, it is considered holy to
worship the Hill temple from afar or from near or go around it. It is also
called Girivalam. It is an age old practice. In ancient days the siddhas,
rishis, saints and other noble persons followed this practice. Girivalam gives
mental peace; the medicinal herbs around the hillock cure many physical
diseases. Nowadays people go around the temple by wearing Kadamba flower.
Agni Nakshatram is a 14-day period in May, the hottest
part of the year. It is the season when devout persons go round the hill in the
Giri Veedhi as much out of faith as for reasons of health, in the early morning
(1 am. to 10 a.m.) and evening (4 to 10 pm) in large numbers. Just now, the Kadamba
trees (Eugenia Racemosa), favourite flora of Muruga, are in full bloom all
around the hill shedding their fragrance and conveying healing properties to
all the walkers.
To go round the hills on these days is very holy. It
will be a grand sight to see thousands joining in this group. Some hundreds
will carry Cauvery water on their head from Kodumudi with music and devotional
songs accompanying them. They will bathe Palani Andavar with this water and
worship him. Because Sivacharyas first came from Kodumudi, they have adopted
this system. The water bearers are accompanied by artistes in a variety of
folk-music and folkdance items. Their procession by itself is colorful and
difficult to forget.
On the concluding day, the festival deity of the Periyanayaki
Temple marches to the Adivaram and there is a majestic procession round Giri Veedhi.
On the last day, Muthukumaraswami in Periyanayaki Amman Temple will distribute
holy water in Ookkatti Mandapam at the foot of the hills. Then he will go round
the hills and return to his temple.
