Palani Murugan Temple – Shanmuga Nadhi
Shanmuga Nathi running through Palani is one of the
theertham associated with the Palani Murugan Temple. The bathing ghats on this
river are at a distance of three kilometres from Palani town and can be reached
from Adivaram by town buses 3, 4, 9 and 14. During the eclipses and on the days
of the waning moon (new moon or Amavasya), thousands flock here to have their
sins absolved in the purifying waters.
Kavadi bearers have a bath here before marching to the
temple. This is also a place for oblations to the dead; the devout perform
post-mortem rites to deceased ancestors. There are many shrines on the banks of
the river near the bathing Ghat and elsewhere. Of all these temples, that of
Peru-Udayar (called Periya Avudaiyar Kovil) is by far the most important and
deserves special mention.
Located near the railway line on the banks of the
Shanmuga Nadi in sylvan setting, it is about four kilometres from the bus-stand
reached by two stages, by buses going on the Old Dharapuram road for three
kilometres and by walking one kilometer from the arch on that road. It is
convenient to go by a taxi or auto rickshaw and alight at the doors of the
temple. In the evening and in the pre-dawn period, sounds of birds are heard
and if you have a tape-recorder, you cannot afford to miss recording these.