Palani
Palani is a town in Tamil Nadu. The Palani Murugan Temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, sits on a hill overlooking the town. The temple is visited by more than 7 million pilgrims each year. As of 2011, the town had a population of 70,000.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]
The nearest airport is in Coimbatore which has regular flights from Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Sharjah, Colombo and Singapore. Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Scoot, Air Arabia and SriLankan Airways operate flights out of Coimbatore Airport.
Palani is approximately 100 km from Coimbatore. Taxis, buses and trains link Coimbatore to Palani.
By train
[edit]Broad-gauge trains connect Palani to Pollachi on one side (en route from Coimbatore or Kerala) and Madurai (to elsewhere in Tamil Nadu). Passenger trains now run and a daily express train links Chennai. The Murugan Temple is about 2 km from the railway station and can be reached by autorickshaw or bus.
By bus
[edit]The state transport corporation and many private bus operators ply from Palani to Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tuticorin, Palakkad and Kochin. KSRTC Bus runs to Cherthala, Changanassery and Kottarakkara.
Get around
[edit]
Getting around Palani is easy. There are public transport buses, auto rickshaws and taxis available in plenty.
It is not advised to pick the auto rickshaws, as they are prone to overcharging the commuters, especially if they are from out of town. It is best to ask your hotel to arrange for transportation or inquire about the estimated fare between the destinations.
See
[edit]
There are lot of places to see in and around Palani.
- 1 Kodaikanal. This is another beautiful hill station about 64 km from Palani.
- Kuthiraiyar Dam Falls. Located near Pappampatti; Palani, it has a water falls at the back of the dam. Once you reach the dam, one can find the way to go to falls with the help of the local villagers. There is a small trekking route available to reach the Kumbai which is about 1 km from the falls.
- Mariamman Kovil. This is but one of the famous temples in the surrounding area. This temple is about 1 km from the bus stand.
- Murugan Temple (Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple (Thiru Avinankudi)). This is the prime attraction in Palani. One has climb 670 steps to reach the temple. Alternatively, there is a Haulage Winch (a small rope train) and a rope car to go to the temple on the top of the hill. From the hill top, one can have a beautiful view of entire Palani town and the agricultural places around it.
- Periyanayaki amman kovil or Aanai Kovil. This is one of the oldest temples in Palani. This temple is carved out of stone. There won't be a very large crowd in this temple.
- Thekkanthottam. Another small water falls near the Palani. Water from this place is taken into Palani through pipes and stored in Palani Hill Water Tank named as Water dam, which then distributed to Palani after filtration. To reach this water falls, you have to take bus from Palani and get down at Thekkan thottam, where there is a forest department check post. From the village you have to walk 3 to 4 km to reach the falls. The places on there are beautiful and pleasant. On the way you can find a small dam. after that the path becomes difficult. Actually there is no pathway after this point. you have to climb small rocks and find your own way. you can find many small water falls of about 6–7 ft (1.8–2.1 m) height. The mountain on the two sites of the path looks really good and dense. There is no way of getting lost in the forest, as you can always find your way back by following the water ways.
- Tiru Avinankudi Temple. This temple is at the foot of the Palani Hills. This is oldest and largest temple. Usually before going to the main hill temple, devotees visit this temple.
- Varathamanathi Dam. A picnic spot where children can amuse themselves. It is on the way to Thekkanthottam and about 7 km (4.3 mi) from Palani. you can reach there by city buses and buses bound for Kodaikanal.
- 2 Amaravathi Dam. Amaravathi Dam is 35 km from Palani town. And the Amaravathi Sagar Crocodile park is 1 km before the Amaravathy dam site.
Do
[edit]- Trekking to Kodaikannal, Kuthiraiyar Dam Falls, Thakkan thotam
- Site seeing in Kodaikannal
- Visit temples in and around Palani
Buy
[edit]ATMs from most nationalised nanks are available within the town.
You can buy panchamirtham, vibhuti, medals of Muruga, toys, handicrafts, pictures of the Lord, publications of the Devasthânam. You can bargain for the prices.
Industries: textile mills, manufacture of panchamirtham, production of vibhuti (sacred ash), making of steel furniture at Govt. pressed metal factory, manufacture of fruit juices and of stone grinders.
Learn
[edit]Schools: Palani has a number of Tamil and English Medium schools. Arulmigu Palaniandavar Matriculation School(APMS) is one of the oldest English medium schools in Palani.
Colleges: Palani has two arts colleges and one Engineering college in the town. The Arts colleges are run by the Devasthanam (Palani Hill Temple Board).
Polytechnic: Devasthanam (Palani Hill Temple Board) also runs a polytechnic (Arulmigu Palaniandavar Polytechnic).
Eat
[edit]A lot of South Indian restaurants (Vegetarian and Non-Veg) are available in Palani town. Few restaurants serve Chinese and North Indian foods too.
Palani is famous for its Panchamirtam, which is a jam-like preserve made of five fruits. It’s one of the unique sweets which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Drink
[edit]All soft drinks are available in almost all small shops near Temple and in the town. Fresh fruit juices are also available in the fruit shops around the temple and near bus stand. Tender coconut is available in plenty as Palani/Pollachi areas have coconut plantations.
Sleep
[edit]The temple provides ample accommodation to its visitors so you can always book a place to sleep. It also provides air-conditioned rooms to non-air-conditioned beds.
- Peacock Inn, No:2 Andavar Poonga Road, (Adjacent to Thevar Statue), Adivaram, ☏ +91-4545-321177. This is the only heritage hotel in Palani, located just 20 m (66 ft) from the Palani bus stand.
Stay safe
[edit]Be skeptical about what the horse drivers tell you. They may defraud you.
Cope
[edit]Hospitals: - Palani has lot of hospitals which operate for 24 hours including the Government hospitals.
Important phone numbers:
- Police Control Tower - 100
- Fire Station - 101