Arulmigu Vadapalani Andavar Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

05:30 – 21:30

Established

1890

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Radiant standing stone murti of Lord Murugan holding the divine staff (Danda) in the posture of Palani Andavar, adorned in dazzling gold and diamond armor

Religious tradition

Vedic Agamic Kaumara Tradition & Matrimonial Auspiciousness

Sanskrit name

श्री वडपलनि आन्डवर् मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Vadapalani Murugan Temple, North Palani Temple, Vadapalani Dandayudhapani Gudi

Darshan hours

Daily

05:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Break timings

12:30 PM - 04:00 PM (Monday to Thursday)

Special days

Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram, Skanda Sashti: 04:00 AM - 11:30 PM (Continuous Darshan)

Festival timings

Open continuously till 11:30 PM during Thaipusam and major festivals

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

06:00 AM

Midday aarti

12:00 PM

Evening aarti

06:00 PM

Night aarti

09:00 PM

Special aarti days

Every Kiruthigai, Tuesdays, Sashti, Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram

Ritual schedule

Nitya Arukala Puja, Ksheerabhishekam, Sandal paste Alankara, Sahasranamarchana, Golden Chariot procession

Pooja timings

06:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Abhishek timings

06:30 AM - 08:30 AM, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

Yes

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Consecrated by Saint Annaswamy Tambiran; developed into a grand stone temple by the Tambiran disciples and local philanthropists

Architect / builder

Traditional Tamil Dravidian sthapathis

Construction materials

Solid dressed granite stone masonry, brick-mortar soaring Rajagopuram, brass flagstaff, sacred tank

Historical events

Annaswamy Tambiran cured himself of severe stomach ulcers by worshipping Murugan; his samadhi and that of his disciple Rathinaswamy Tambiran are located nearby

Renovations

Punarprathishta and massive expansion completed under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department with air-conditioned wedding halls and new Rajagopuram

Archaeological importance

Modern landmark of contemporary Dravidian temple architecture and popular devotional worship

Legends

Saint Annaswamy Tambiran pierced his tongue with a spear (Vel) to attain spiritual silence and was granted divine darshan of Lord Dandayudhapani

Inscriptions

Trust records and commemorative donor inscriptions detailing the growth of the temple from a thatched hut to a multi-crore pilgrimage complex

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

Early 20th Century (1920 - 1980 CE)

Structure

Sprawling urban temple complex featuring multi-tiered entrance Rajagopuram, broad pillared prakaras, sacred temple tank, and wedding halls

Floors

1

Gopuram

Soaring 108-foot eastern entrance Rajagopuram embellished with hundreds of colorful stucco figures illustrating the 108 Karanas (Bharatanatyam dance postures) and Skanda Purana legends

Mandapa

Spacious Mukhamandapa supported by polished granite columns depicting Murugan’s avatars and saintly devotees

Sculptural features

Standing stone murti of Lord Vadapalani Andavar; separate shrines of Valli-Devasena Murugan, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, and Anjaneya; golden chariot (Thanga Ratham)

Artistic elements

Intricate wood-carved ceiling panels, embossed silver sanctum frames, gold-plated kalashas, and brass flagstaff

Construction technique

Interlocking monolithic granite plinth combined with reinforced concrete and traditional stucco art

Unique features

World-famous wedding venue hosting up to 100 Hindu weddings simultaneously in its mandapams on auspicious muhurtham days, and the 108 Karana dance sculptures on the gopuram

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Thai month Poosam Nakshatram (Thaipusam), Panguni Uthiram

Special celebration days

Every Kiruthigai, Tuesdays, Sashti, Sundays

Cultural events

Carnatic vocal concerts, Bharatanatyam dance performances, and Harikatha during festival months

Annual events

Panguni Brahmotsavam and Thaipusam Float Festival (Teppotsavam) drawing over 200,000 devotees

Peak crowd season

Throughout the year; peak during Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram, and auspicious wedding dates

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

100+ Vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.