Edumban Hill is located near
Palani hill, it is slightly smaller than Palani Hill. From Edumban Hill one is afforded a wonderful view of Palani Hill and
Palani town. The name of the hill carries a history behind it. Edumban was the Asura Guru of Sura Badhman. Hearing about the death of his student Sura Badhman, Edumban was so upset that he sought the advice of
Agastya.
The story goes that following the instructions of Sage Agasthya, Edumban started to move the two holy hills Shiva Giri and Sakthi Giri, the abodes of Lord Shiva, Shakti, Ganesh, and Muruga, from the north towards Pothigai Hill where Agastya was meditating. Edumban used Brahma Thandam as the beam to carry the two hills and used snake as the rope to tie the two hills to the beam. In the course of their journey, Edumban and his wife Edumbi felt tired and they took rest at Aavinankudi. After resting when he woke up he was not able to lift the Shiva Giri. He saw that Lord Muruga was on the hill and quarreled with him. In the ensuing fight he was killed by Muruga. On seeing this Edumbi begged the lord to give back her husband, and thus Lord Murugan appeared in front of Edumbi and gave life to Edumban.
Edumban occupied Sakthi Giri, now known as Edumban Hill. The temple at the top of the hill enshrines the 20 ft Edumban idol as the chief deity. Edumban was entrusted with the job of making arrows for Muruga. The tradition of carrying kavadi came into prevalence since the time Edumban carried the Sakthi Giri and the Shiva Giri on a beam. Piligrims visit Edumban temple first and then visit Palani hill. There is also a small temple for Edumban and Agasthya on the way to Palani Hill.
