Palani is a municipality in the Dindigul district of Tamilnadu in southern India. Located at a distance of 100 kilometer from Coimbatore from the south east of, it is famous for the temple of the god Kartikeya. palani temple nearest tourist places attracts leisure tourists and pilgrims mainly throughout the year. Nearly 7 million devotees visit Palani to offer their prayers at the temple.
A rail line connects Palani to Coimbatore. The line stretches from Madurai to Coimbatore via Pollachi. All the three stops are prominent places you can head to as an extended tour from Palani. Palani has several bus services from both Tamilnadu and Kerala. Bus services from Cherthala, Changanassery, and Kottarakkara frequent Palani.
Palani was believed to be a prosperous town of the Dindigul district. The Dindigul fortress has painting that showcases Sivagiri with a temple on top and a wall at its base, the Palani hills serving as backdrop. Connectivity through railway line to Palani has increased the richness of the place in terms of economic development.
The Palani hills on the offshoot of the WesternGhats serve as a magnificent and breathtaking backdrop which also houses a beautiful hill station Kodaikanal. The beauty of Palani is mainly because of the two hills- Sivagiri and Sakthigiri. The temple of Lord Subrahmanyan in Sivagiri attracts several pilgrims. The temple is small but the numbers of devotees flocking around the temple are huge. The architectural work on the temple is magnificent and the gopuram is said to be of gold which makes the Garbagriham an intrinsic artistic work .Several lakes on the foot of these hills serve as a beautiful attraction. Vaiyyapuriyan Kulam is the largest of the lakes and serves as a main water reservoir to the residents of the town. Further away you will find the Vardhman nadi dam which supplies fresh water.
On the foot of the hills is also another temple dedicated to goddess Parvathi known as Perinayaki Amman. The temple is regarded as the town’s chief temple known as Oorkovil.At a short distance islocated the temple of Periya Avudaiyar. At a distance of 9 kilometer south of Palani on a hillock is located Kannadi Perumal temple.
Besides its temples and hills Palani is also known for its wetlands. Kothaimangalam wetlands are located near Palani. The lake around the wetlands houses several migratory birds. It is located adjacent to the Shanmuganadhi River.Kongur wetland is another destination ideal for bird watchers.
Palani is not a place just for pilgrimage, myriad temples, picturesque locales etc., Palani is also known for Siddha Vaidhyambelieved to have been developed by residents of the prehistoric time. The town is known for producing sacred ash- Vibhuti and Pancha Amritham- a fruity pulp preparation with molasses. The two are served to devotees after the offerings and prayers.
Palani is a picturesque place to visit especially when it houses at a close distance a world famous tourist and picnic spot – Kodaikanal.