TVS Hari
PALANI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA, June 9, 2004: The famous hill temple of Palani is in the news again, this time for correct reasons. Some time ago, when the priests in the temple observed that the navapashana icon (that is, made of nine compounds) in the sanctum sanctorum was being eroded due to excessive abhisheka (pouring of items like milk, curds, honey, sandal paste and pancharitam, a mixture of mashed plantain fruits, honey, raw sugar etc.) over the presiding deity of the temple Shri Baladandayudapaniswamy, a temporary truce was hammered out. An icon expressly meant for bathing (abisheka) was installed in front of the deity and worshipped. This was protested by all and sundry in the temple town though the deed itself was carried out with the blessings of the Kanchi seers. On Tuesday, the 7th of June, the 200 kg temporary idol meant for ritual bathing was removed and placed in the strong room of the temple and the devotees now have an uninterrupted view of the original, divinely created idol. For the time being temple authorities are tight lipped as to why this change came about, but sources say that an astrologer from Kerala pointed out several flaws in the erstwhile new arrangement. This had indeed led to the change. Be that as may be, the Palani Murugan can now be seen clearly by devotees while standing the queue on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. It must also be said that the Kanchi seers quietly bowed to the wishes of the temple and the devotees.