Padayatra routes

Padayatra routes

• Palani Thaipusam padayatra The Dindigul, Dharapuram and Udumalai roads; Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts; the Chettinad towns (via Kundrakudi) → Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple, Palani Festival: Thaipoosam, next Fri 22 Jan 2027Around Thaipusam, devotees traditionally walk to the Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple at Palani. Streams of walking pilgrims can be seen on every road into Palani, from Dindigul, Dharapuram and Udumalai. Groups also walk from the Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts.Carrying a kavadi is part of the walk. In the Nagarathar Kavadi tradition, kavadis set out from Chettinad towns such as Devakottai and Karaikudi, halt overnight at Kundrakudi, and walk to Palani through Natham and Dindigul with the Vel going ahead. The tradition is said to go back several centuries. After offering the kavadi and worshipping, the custom is to walk home again.Temple: Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple
• Tiruchendur Thaipusam padayatra Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thoothukudi districts; the Rajapalayam area → Subramaniya Swamy temple, Tiruchendur Festival: Thaipoosam, next Fri 22 Jan 2027From Pongal until Thaipusam, large numbers of devotees walk to the Subramaniya Swamy temple at Tiruchendur. They set out from the Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thoothukudi districts and from the Rajapalayam area.The custom is to wear the mala, keep a vow and walk carrying a kavadi. Those coming from towns such as Tenkasi, Pavoorchatram, Alangulam, Surandai, Kadayam and Ambai bathe in the Thamirabarani on the way. On reaching the temple, they bathe in the sea and at the Nazhi Kinaru well before worshipping Murugan.
• Samayapuram Poochorithal padayatra Many parts of Tiruchi city → Mariamman temple, Samayapuram The Poochorithal (flower-offering) festival at the Samayapuram Mariamman temple begins on the last Sunday of the Tamil month of Masi. Devotees walk to the temple from many parts of Tiruchi city, carrying flowers for the goddess.The custom is to carry flowers from neighbourhood temples in baskets or on the head, walking through the night to reach Samayapuram, and offer them to the goddess. The Poochorithal season runs until the last Sunday of the month of Panguni.
• Sabarimala traditional forest path (Erumeli to Pamba) Erumeli, Kerala → Sabarimala Sannidhanam (via Pamba) This is the old route on which Ayyappa devotees walk through the forest from Erumeli in Kerala to Pamba, and on to the Sannidhanam at Sabarimala. Tradition holds it is the way Ayyappa's army went after the victory over Mahishi. The stretch from Azhutha to Pamba runs through the Periyar Tiger Reserve.The walk traditionally begins at Erumeli with the pettai thullal dance and worship at the Dharma Sastha temple and the nearby Vavar mosque. The route passes Perurthodu, Kalaketti, the Azhutha river, Kallidamkunnu, Karimala and Valiyanavattam to reach Pamba. By custom pilgrims bathe in the Azhutha, pick up a pebble and leave it at Kallidamkunnu.