Palani1
is a holy place and a land of Siddhas2. Lord Muguga (Dandâyudhapâni3),
a god of youth and beauty4, was installed on the hillock
by one of the Eighteen Siddhas, Bhogar5, who is the author
of the valuable literature Bhogar Elayiram and Bhogar Panneerayiram.
He made this icon by solidifying nine poisonous liquid substances
(nava basana) by a peculiar chemical process which is unknown
to present-day chemists. The icon has a divine feature of
attracting lakhs and lakhs of devotees from all parts of
the country. The worship of Muruka has a hoary antiquity.
He is praised in Cankam literature, especially in Tirumurugattruppadai6.
It mentions Palani as Avinankudi7 a place where goddess
Mahalakshmi, Kamadenu, Indra and other deities worshipped
Lord Muruka. By following this divine tradition people worship
Lord Muruka in the hillock for prosperity in this mundane
life as well as to realise the secrets of the other world.
Hence, Saint Arunagirinathar8 prays, saying, Igaparasaubhakkiyam
Arulvaye.
There
are many margas (paths) worship Lord Muruka. Bhakti is one
of the sure and easiest way of realization. Pada Yatra is
one of the forms of bhakti called Nadaippayanam in Tamil.
The ultimate aim of Pada Yatra is to receive the blessings
of the Lord. But the devotees have many problems in their
day to day life. They believe that Lord Muruka will solve
their problems by bestowing His grace and boon as He is
rightly called Kali Yuga Varadan.
To
fulfil their demands the devotees offer many things as offerings
to their lotus feet of Lord Muruka sometimes in the form
of Kavadis.
Offerings
of Lord Muruka (kavadis and other things)
Tender coconut kavadi
Cock kavadi
Milk kavadi
Theertha kavadi
Navadhanya (paddy and other grains)
Tinai (millet) varagu paddy (the cultivation of these are
almost extinct)
Groundnut
Coins, money (which is collected in their saving pots -
a mud pot usually called hundials)
Cock, goat, etc.,
Sandalwood, footwear (almost extinct)
Gold, silver and other articles
Tonsuring the head.
