Legends
and Mythology
Once Narada acquired
a rare and precious mango fruit (Gnana pazham) and offered it to
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva wanted
his children – Ganesha and Muruga, to enjoy it, but was unable
to decide as to who should get the fruit. He set a contest to decide
this and said that the fruit would be given to the one who returns
to Him first after going around the entire universe. Lord Kartikeyya
without wasting any time got on his mount, the peacock and flew away
at lighting speed. Lord Ganesha thought for a minute and then, went
around his parents three times, thus declaring that they represent
the entire universe. His delighted parents gave him the fruit.
Lord Kartikeyya
on his return found that he had been outwitted by his brother.
He felt cheated and got enraged. He renounced his family
and all his possessions including his ornaments and his clothes.
He left Mt. Kailasa and came down to a place called Thiru Avinankudi.
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati followed and persuaded their son to
return to Mt. Kailasa. Lord Muruga refused and settled in a nearby
hill in peace and solitude. While persuading Muruga, Lord Shiva described
him as the ‘very fruit of wisdom’. This phrase in Tamil ‘Pazham
nee’, gave the place its name Palani.
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Interesting
facts
The idol of the deity is made up of a special substance,
which is believed to be an amalgam of nine minerals (nava pashana) – Veeram,
Pooram, Rasam, Jathilingam, Kandagam(Sulphur), Gauri Pasanam, Vellai
Pasanam, Mridharsingh and Silasat
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