The Enigma of "Navapashanam" Idol of Murugan (Karthikeya) Of Palani,TN: Bogar’s Legacy and Temple Controversy

Navrang India March 17, 2026
Navapashanam idol of Murugan and
Bogar Siddhar,Palani, TN

The Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani stands as a pinnacle of South Indian spiritual heritage. Unlike most Hindu deities carved from granite or cast in metal, the moolavar (main idol) of Lord Muruga is a scientific and spiritual marvel crafted from Navapashanam. This "nine-poison" amalgam, created by the legendary Siddhar Bogar approximately 2,500 years ago, remains one of the most mysterious icons in the world.

Siddhar Bogar installing Navapashanam idol of Muruga
(Karthikeya)  YouTube.com

Above image: Saint-physician (Siddhar) and composer Boga Siddhar is believed to have crafted the existing idol using nine highly toxic herbs, whose very presence could kill people, over 5000 years ago. In November 2002 newspaper reports mentioned that this idol was to be relocated within the garbhagriha and replaced with the golden idol.Complaints had been coming from various organizations that  the ageing Navapashanam idol had reportedly developed cracks. For some years now, abhishekams, or purification with liquids and fluids, has been limited to select days in the year...........

The Alchemy of Siddhar Bogar

Palaninava pashanam idol
                                                                        .google.com

Siddhar Bogar, one of the 18 celebrated Tamil Sages, was an adept in alchemy, medicine, and yoga. Driven by compassion for human suffering, he sought to create a panacea—a single remedy for all ailments. Through intense research in the Palani hills, he identified nine specific poisonous substances (Bhasanas): Veeram, Pooram, Rasam, Jothilingam, Kandagam, Gauri Pasanam, Vellai Pasanam, Mridharsingh, and Silasat.

Palani temple. CPR Environmental
Education Centre, Chennai

By complex processes of grinding, heating, and filtering, Bogar transmuted these toxins into a hardened, wax-like herbal matrix. The idol was then consecrated to channel cosmic energy, specifically designed to influence the human body's nine openings and align the five elements (Pancha Boothas). For centuries, the substances poured over the idol—such as milk, honey, and sandalwood paste—absorbed trace minerals from the Navapashanam, becoming potent medicines for devotees.

The Crisis of Conservation and Corruption

In recent decades, the sanctity of the Palani idol has been at the center of a legal and spiritual firestorm. By the 1980s, authorities claimed the ancient idol was showing signs of wear and "cracks" due to frequent abhishekams (ritual bathing). This led to a controversial decision by the government-controlled Devasthanam to install a new, 200 kg "replacement" idol made of five metals (Panchaloha) in 2004.

However, the move was met with immediate public outcry. Traditionalists argued that replacing a Siddha-consecrated idol violated Agama Shastras (temple norms). More disturbingly, investigations by the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing police revealed a massive fraud. It was alleged that the new idol was part of a "pretext" to eventually spirit away the priceless original Navapashanam idol for the international black market.

Current Status and Justice

Forensic analysis later suggested that the replacement idol lacked the promised gold content, leading to the arrest of high-ranking temple officials and the chief sthapathy (architect). The metal idol was eventually removed, and the original Navapashanam deity remains in the sanctum, though ritual bathing is now strictly regulated to ensure its preservation.

Today, the Palani Murugan temple remains a site of immense faith, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the tension between ancient spiritual science and modern administrative oversight.

https://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/20tn.html

K. N.  Jayaraman