Palani Shri Dhandayuthapani Temple is one of the Six Abodes of Murugan. It is located in the town of Palani in Dindugal, 100 kilometers (62 mi) southeast of Coimbatore and northwest of Madurai in the foothills of the Palani hills. The idol of the Lord Muruga in Palani was created and consecrated by sage Bogar, one of Hinduism's eighteen great siddhas out of an amalgam of nine poisons or navapashanam.
The legend also holds that, the sculptor had to work very rapidly to complete its features, but that he spent so much time in creating the face, he did not have time to bestow but a rough grace upon the rest of the body, thus explaining the contrast between the artistic perfection of the face and the slightly less accomplished work upon the body.
One of the chief traditions of the temple is the tonsuring of devotees, who vow to discard their hair in imitation of the Lord of Palani. Another is the anointing of the head of the God's idol with chandaṇam, or sandalwood paste, at night, prior to the temple being closed for the day. The paste, upon being allowed to stay overnight, is said to acquire medicinal properties, and is much sought after and distributed to devotees, as rakkāla chandaṇam.
Darshan (meaning open to the public) hours are from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. On festival days the temple opens at 4.30 a.m. Vilaa Pooja (6.30 a.m.) Siru Kall Pooja (8.00 a.m.) ,Kaala Santhi (9.00 a.m.) Utchikkala Pooja (12.00 noon), Raja Alankaram (5.30 p.m.), Iraakkaala pooja (8.00 p.m.), Golden car Darshan (6.30 p.m.).
