Palaniandy Masilamany : 70 Murugan Temples and 16 Days With His Mother

For many, a mother’s birthday may be celebrated with flowers, a cake, a special meal or a thoughtful gift. But for Palaniandy Masilamany, his mother’s 70th birthday called for something much more meaningful.

He gave her time. Time to pray, travel, revisit memories and most importantly, time to create new ones.

What began on July 31, 2026, as a pilgrimage to 70 Murugan temples across Malaysia and Singapore became a deeply personal 16-day journey for Palaniandy, his 70-year-old mother and their family.

Named “Mission Murugan Thunai”, the journey covered 3,272 kilometres across Singapore, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Perak, Penang and Kedah.

But the numbers tell only part of the story. The real journey was about a son wanting to spend precious time with his mother while he still could.

The pilgrimage began at Perling Senthil Murugan Temple in Johor Bahru, a place that has been part of Palaniandy’s family life for the past 24 years. For his family, it was never just a temple.

It was a place where they gathered week after week, prayed together and sought Lord Murugan’s blessings through different chapters of their lives. From there, Palaniandy, his mother and his brother Chandramogan Masilamany travelled from one Murugan temple to another.

Every temple brought a different story, every journey added another memory, and every prayer became part of a larger offering of gratitude. The original plan was to complete the pilgrimage in 10 days. But as the journey unfolded, it grew into 16 unforgettable days.

Along the way, the family carried out 70 litres of milk abhishegam, 70 bottles of pannir (rose water) abhishegam, 70 archanai and 70 Murugan Vel offerings. Seventy offerings for 70 years of a mother's life.

The pilgrimage eventually brought them to Sri Subramaniar Swamy Devasthanam at Batu Caves on August 15. At the foot of the famous 272 steps stood Palaniandy’s 70-year-old mother. Months earlier, during another family visit, she had chosen not to climb the steps. This time, Palaniandy was prepared to arrange a wheelchair for her. But when he asked his mother whether she wanted assistance, her answer surprised him.

She wanted to walk and she did, step by step, she climbed the 272 steps. For Palaniandy, watching his mother make that climb became one of the most emotional moments of the entire pilgrimage.

It was not only about reaching the top, but it was about witnessing his mother do something he had wondered whether she could still do. It also reminded him that age may tell us how many years someone has lived, but it does not always determine what they can achieve.

According to his Facebook post, the journey was never about completing a number. For Palaniandy, the 70 temples were a way of celebrating 70 years of his mother’s life. And somewhere along those 3,272 kilometres, he realised something even more important. There may come a day when his mother cannot climb 272 steps. There may come a day when he wishes he could take her on another 16-day journey, but circumstances no longer allow it.

That is why he chose to do it now. His message is simple but powerful: don't keep postponing time with your parents. We often tell ourselves that we will spend more time with them after the next project, after the next promotion, after work becomes less busy or when life becomes more comfortable. But there may never be a perfect time. Sometimes, the perfect time is simply now.

“அம்மாவுடன் செலவழித்த நேரமே மிகப்பெரிய பரிசு”

Perhaps the most beautiful part of Mission Murugan Thunai is that Palaniandy did not consider it his achievement alone.

He openly acknowledged the support of his family, relatives, friends and his wife, who stood alongside him throughout the journey. And there was another companion that travelled every kilometre with them - his “Mayura Vaganam”, the family’s vehicle, LC - AMY 2215.

Over 3,272 kilometres and 16 days, the vehicle carried the family safely and comfortably from temple to temple.

For Palaniandy, it became more than just a car. It became part of their journey, their prayers and their memories. At the end of the journey, Palaniandy shared a message that goes far beyond his own family.

“ஒரு நாள் அம்மாவால் 272 படிகளை ஏற முடியாமல் போகலாம்.”

“One day, my mother may not be able to climb those 272 steps.”

That is why he chose to create those memories now and perhaps that is the greatest lesson from his journey.

“பெற்றோருடன் செலவிடும் நேரத்தை தள்ளிப் போடாதீர்கள். 

அவர்கள் நம்முடன் இருக்கும் போதே நினைவுகளை உருவாக்குங்கள்.”

“Don’t postpone the time you have with your parents. Create memories while they are still with you.”

Because at the end of the day, the greatest gift a child can give a parent may not be something wrapped in paper. But behind every number was a son walking beside his mother. Behind every temple was a prayer, every step was a memory and behind the entire journey was a simple wish to make his mother’s 70th birthday one she would remember for the rest of her life.

“அம்மாவுக்காக செய்யும் ஒவ்வொரு பயணமும், வாழ்க்கையில் 

மீண்டும் கிடைக்காத ஒரு நினைவு.”

“Every journey taken for a mother becomes a memory that life may never give us the chance to recreate.”

Mission Murugan Thunai may have come to an end. But the memories Palaniandy created with his mother will continue long after the 70th temple, the final prayer and the 3,272-kilometre journey are over. 

Source / Image Credit : Palaniandy Masilamany