Thiruthani Murugan Temple

Getting there

• By train

  Local trains run from Chennai Central, the first at 4 AM and the last at 8:15 PM. The town is on the Chennai-Mumbai line, 13 km from Arakkonam and 84 km from Chennai.

• By road

  Frequent Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation buses run from Chennai, Vellore, Arakkonam and Kanchipuram.

Why devotees come here

Thiruthani Murugan Temple crowns a rock 700 feet above sea level in Tiruttani, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the six abodes of Murugan, and it is called the crown jewel of them.

Thiruthani Murugan Temple is one of the six abodes of Murugan, known as the Arupadaiveedu. The Sangam poem Tirumurukaatruppadai by Nakkeerar mentions it. Legend says Murugan came here after killing the demon Surapadman, to calm his anger. Legend says that after the war with the asuras, Indra gave Murugan his white elephant, Airavata, for saving the devas. Here the deity has an elephant mount instead of his usual peacock.

The temple sits on a single rock 700 feet above sea level, in a range of hills. Saint Arunagirinathar, who lived 600 years ago, praised the hill as a chosen place of worship for devas and a favourite abode of saints. The main gopuram has nine tiers, and the complex has four precincts. The vimana over the sanctum has six petals.

Legend says Murugan promised that five days of worship with heart and soul on this hill bring blessings. The king of snakes, Vasuki, is said to have been healed of his wounds from the churning of the Milky Ocean after worshipping Murugan at Thanikai.

Festivals

• Aadi month, on the Krittika nakshatra dayAadi Krittikai

  A three-day festival, with a procession from the Sarvana pond to the hilltop.

• Masi monthBrahmotsavam

  The annual festival, which includes the celebration of Murugan's wedding with Valli.

• 31 DecemberNew Year Step Festival

  Lakhs of devotees climb the hill for darshan around midnight as the new year begins.

• Every month, on Krittikai dayMonthly Krittikai

  Many devotees come to the shrine on these days.

Tips for your visit

• Pure cow's milk for abhishekam and other puja items are sold at the Fair Price Shop.
• A ghat road leads up the hill, and Devasthanam buses and vans ply it.

Questions people ask