Sage Agastya wanted to take two hills Sivagiri and Saktigiri - to his abode in the South and commissioned his asura disciple ldumban to carry them. Idumban was one of the very few asura survivors of the war between Murugan's forces and those of Surapadman. After surviving the war he had repented and became a devotee of Lord Murugan.

At this stage, Muruga had just been outwitted by His brother Ganesa in a contest for going around the world and He was still smarting over the matter. Ganapati had won the prized fruit by simply going around His parents, who were His world. Subrahmanya who went around the world in His peacock, came back to find that the prize had already been given away. In anger, He vowed to leave His home and family and came down to Tiru Avinankudi at the foot of the Sivagiri Hill. Siva pacified Him by saying that Subrahmanya Himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge. Hence the place was called Pazham-nee ( 'You are the fruit') or Palani. Later Murugan withdrew to the hill and settled there as a recluse in peace and solitude.

On the orders Sage Agastya, ldumban bore the Sivagiri and Saktigiri hills slung across his shoulders in the form of a kavadi, one on each side. When he reached Palani feeling tired, he placed the kavadi down to take rest.

When ldumban resumed his journey, he found that he could not lift the hill. Muruga had made it impossible for ldumban to carry it. Upon one of the hilltop the great asuran spotted a little boy in loin clothes. Idumban demanded the boy to vacate the hill at once so that he could proceed with his task. The boy, who was in a fighting mood, refused. In the fierce battle which ensued, ldumban was slain. When the wife of the Asura pleaded with the little boy, ldumban life was restored.

Coming back alive, ldumban recognised the boy as none other than his ishta devata Murugan. Idumban prayed to the Lord that whoever carried the kavadi on their shoulders, signifying the two hills should be blessed. Idumban also requested that he should be given the priviledge of standing sentinel at the entrance to the hill. Hence we have the ldumban shrine half-way up the hill. Every pilgrim is expected to offer obeisance to ldumban before entering the temple of Dandayudhapani Swami.

Since then, pilgrims to Palani bring their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi. The custom has spread from Palani to all Murugan temples around the world. Muruga, in His aspect as Lord Dandayudhapani, stands for renunciation.