Palani Murugan · Verified guide
Palani Rope Car and Winch Guide
The rope car and the winch (funicular rail) save the climb to the hilltop temple. Both are popular with families and older pilgrims, so queues can be long.
Changing information reviewed · Official sources separated from planning guidance
Quick answer
The rope car and winch run about 7 am–12:30 pm and 1:30 pm–5 pm. Since July 2026, a limited number of one-way rope car tickets (₹100) can be booked on palanimurugan.hrce.tn.gov.in/ticketing; other tickets are bought at the counters at the foothill.
Rope car vs winch
| Rope car | Winch | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Aerial ropeway to the hilltop | Funicular rail cars on three tracks |
| Capacity | Upgraded in 2018 to about 1,500 people an hour | Lower; queues build on busy days |
| Online booking | Limited one-way tickets at ₹100 | Counter tickets |
Online rope car booking
- Open the official ticketing pagepalanimurugan.hrce.tn.gov.in/ticketing
- Pick a slotWhen booking launched, 50 tickets were offered in the 8 am–12 pm slot and 50 in the 5 pm–7 pm slot.
- Pay and save the ticketCarry the ticket and an ID to the rope car station.
Slots and prices are from the July 2026 launch and may change. The temple also started a trial of online pooja bookings, with five tickets per pooja.
Tips
- Arrive before the midday break or early in the morning to avoid long queues.
- On Thaipusam and big festival days, expect very long waits; start very early.
- If queues are long, the elephant path is an easier walk than the steps.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Palani rope car ticket price?
A one-way online rope car ticket was ₹100 when online booking began in July 2026.
What are the Palani rope car timings?
About 7 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 5 pm; from 4 am on festival days.
Where can I book the Palani rope car online?
On the temple's official HR&CE ticketing page, palanimurugan.hrce.tn.gov.in/ticketing.
Sources
- Online booking for Palani ropeway, July 2026 (DT Next)
- Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani (Tamil Nadu Tourism)
- Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple (Wikipedia)
Checked 6 Oct 2026. Rules can change; confirm with the official source before you travel.