Dhandayuthapani Temple, Chettikulam

The Dhandayuthapani temple at Chettikulam, about 22 km from Perambalur on NH-45, is a hill shrine to Murugan reached by a flight of 240 steps, with 243 on the way down. Tradition credits its building to the Pandya king Kulasekhara, and the saint Arunagirinathar praised it in his hymns. The god faces the Shiva temple in the same village, which belongs to his father.

The four-foot swayambu image is unusual: in most Dhandayuthapani temples Murugan has a shaven head, but here he has his hair and holds a red sugarcane with 11 joints, said to be a gift from Parvati after his victory over the demon Sura. Legend says he appeared to the sage Agastya as a bangle seller, a valayal chetty. On the 3rd, 4th and 5th days of Masi the setting sun lights the image from foot to face. The ten-day Panguni Uthiram festival, with daily chariot processions, draws crowds in lakhs.