Sri Subramaniaswami Temple

Overview

The Sri Tirutani Murugan Temple is dedicated to God Muruga. The hill has 365 steps, symbolising 365 days of the year.This temple is one among the Aru Padaiveedu's of God Muruga. ie. the fifth Padaiveedu. Thai Poosam and Panguni Uthiram celebrations are major celebrations here. This was where Subramanya stayed after killing Surapadman.Tiruttani is said to be the spot where the God Subramanya wedded Valli - one of his two consorts.

About The Temple

Tiruttani is one among the 6 padai veedu hallowed places of Skanda, and it speaks to the site where Subramanyar stayed in the wake of decimating the Asura Surapadman. It has been praised by the Tiruppugazh psalms of Arunagirinathar, Tirumurugatruppadai of the Sangam period, Tanikai puranam by Kachiappa munivar. Ramalinga Adigalaar is likewise connected with this sanctum. The hill temple here is come to by a motorable street, and is likewise gotten to through a flight of 365 steps. It has 4 prakarams and a progression of towers. There is a holy place to Aabat Sahaaya Vinayakar who is said to have come to aid Skanda in winning Valli's hand in marriage. The processional picture of Skanda is housed in a Rudraksha vimanam with his consorts. The shadkona padakkam or the hexagonal emblem is embellishing the picture of Skanda is brightened with green stones and is of extraordinary excellence. Likewise of essentialness here is a brilliant vilva wreath.

Tiruttani is a well known temple committed to God Subrahmanya and is arranged 51 miles far from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The temple is arranged on a little slope, which is come to over a flight of 365 stone work stems. Tiruttani is one of the six respected holy places of God Skanda, Muruga or Karthikeya and speaks to the spot where Subramanyar rested subsequent to crushing the Asuran Surapadman. It has been prasied by Arunagirinathar in Tiruppugazh songs. Ramalinga Adigalaar is likewise connected with this hallowed place.  Sage Ramalinga Swamigal (Arutprakasa Vallalar), 150 years back, was welcome to come here by the God of Tanikai (situated on this slope) Who showed up before the saint in the mirror of his puja room at Madras after which he composed the arutpa tunes, that  flowed out of his lips in pure Tamil like a heavy stream. Sri Muttuswami Deekshitar, who experienced 200 years ago (one of the trinity of Karnatic music) had his motivation in Tiruttani when our God (in the appearance of an old man) met him on the strides and sweetened his tongue with the prasadam of this temple, which incited him to sing his first melody - obviously - on God Murugan of Tanikai.

The consecrated tanks of the hallowed places of our God are all known as Saravanapoikai ('holy lake of the reedy bog' where God Karttikeya was conceived). The tank at Tiruttani, which (not at all like in different spots) is at the very foot of the slope, is especially famous for its holy water (teertham) having remedial impact for infirmities both substantial and mental, as it is rich in minerals, for example, sulfur, iron, and so on. A shower in this blessed tank invigorates the enthusiast and makes him sound and beneficial to appease our God with confidence and dedication. At the exquisite patio nursery on the south side of this hallowed slope in the midst of a thick group of shady trees and seven cool sprints, the Seven Rishis (who today shape the Great Bear stellar star grouping) are said to have venerated God Muruga and the Sapta Kannikas (Seven Virgins) cherished at this spot in a modest temple. This temple has been belittled by the Vijayanagar rulers and neighborhood chieftains and zamindars and has additionally been said in the Tirumurugaatruppadai created by Nakkeerar.

Bhairava with four dogs

Lord Bhairava graces in temple with 4 dogs vehicle representing 4 Vedas. He is seen with two dogs in some temples. Here, Bhairava has four dogs representing the four Vedas, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana. While one dog is behind Bhairava, other three are around the Peeta. Those aspiring to achieve academic excellence pray here. Deivanai wedding festival is celebrated during the Chithirai (April-May) Brammotsava and Valli wedding festival in Masi (February-March). During the final puja at night, Lord Muruga graces with Valli on a day and Deivanai the next day. As Lord Muruga wedded Valli in the guise of a hunter, He graces on a Tiger Vahan on the sixth day of Brammotsavam and then on the Elephant Vahan. A Muslim gentleman had the luck of being graced by Lord Muruga in this temple. Remembering the event, during festival days, when the Lord comes in procession, a Muslim devotee plays the drum even today. Tiruthani is the place where Lord Muruga shed His anger and fury after conquering and destroying asura Surapadman in Tiruchendur.

It is said that there is a scar on Muruga caused by clash with the demon. Lord graces smilingly. Also, Tiruthani is the place where Devendra gifted Iravadham the white elephant to Deivani as wedding gift. Hence, the elephant before the sanctum sanctorum in the place of the peacock.

About the Deity

Tamil word Murugu implies energy. God Muruga is attractiveness embodied. He sparkles in each Alankara. He is a ready otherworldly pioneer in Vibuti abishek, a Majestic Subramania in Sandal abishek. Lord Muruga, in His aspect as Lord SubramanyaSwami, stands for repudiation. Shunning all wordly possessions, the only apparel He has chosen to retain is a breechcloth. But His bhaktars never tire of offering Him costly garments and enriching His wardrobe with luxurious royal clothes which are used to adorn Him when His devotees yearn to see the Lord in the vesture of a King. For indeed, His state is that of a Swami or self-governing Lord.

Legends and Stories

As per one legend Subramanyar wedded Valli who is from Vallimalai Hill. Another legend has it that Skanda hitched Deivayanai the little girl of Indra, the Gods' King. God Indra exhibited his elephant Airavatam as a blessing to the couple. However, upon Airavatam's flight Indra's riches dwindled. God Subramanya is said to have offered to give back the elephant, however Indra declined to acknowledge it and demanded that that the elephant face his side. Subsequently the elephant's picture in this temple likewise confronts east. Another legend has it that Indra presented a sandal stone as a part of his daughters dowry. The sandal paste made on this stone is applied to the image of Subramanya and the applied paste is said to acquire medicinal value. It is additionally trusted that Skanda bore the plate tossed by the evil spirit Tarakasuran on his mid-section and thus the picture of Subramanya in this temple bears an empty in the mid-section furthermore that Skanda gifted the disk to Vishnu. Skanda bestowed learning of Tamil to the sage Agasthyar and henceforth he is viewed as Veeramurthy, Gnanamurthy and Acharyamurthy in this altar.

History

Nambirajan, the head of the Gypsy-Kuravas community found a female child amidst the Valli plants, took her and brought her up. He named Her Valli after the plants. Thinaipuam, the field where this grain is cultivated represents the material aspiration of people that it belongs only to them. The bird coming to pick the grain is the symbol of divinity telling that the grain belongs to them-Gods. We drive the birds. Valli was the watch woman in the field driving the birds. Lord Muruga, to enlighten her of this truth, came in the guise of an aged hunter and persuaded Her to marry Him. When She refused, He threatened her through an elephant. When Muruga embraced Her, the touch cleared Her illusions. This event is celebrated as Valli Kalyanam. The place is called Tiruthanigai where Lord Muruga shed his anger after defeating demon Sura in Tiruchendur. In the days followed, the name changed as Tiruthani.

Festivals

Other than the month of  Krittikais which pull in an extensive number of enthusiasts to this altar, the two remarkable yearly celebrations are the Aadi Krittikai and the 31st of December New Year Step Festival. The buoy celebration is praised in the month of Aadi, Bhramotsavam in the month of Maasi, amid which Valli Kalyanam is commended on the eighth day, and the Skanda Sashti is praised in the Tamil month of Aippasi.

Aadi Krittikai

It is believed that Indira worshipped here on the Kruthika star day in the month of Aadi-July-August. This is a three day celebration in the temple. Lord Muruga comes in procession to the sacred spring Saravana Poigai at the foot of the hill. As Indira used the Kalhara flowers for his puja, the tradition of carrying Malar Kavadi – flower Kavadi is devotionally followed by the devotees in the temple. Aadi Krittikai celebration (in July-August) goes on for three days with Float Festival when lakhs and lakhs of aficionados result in these present circumstances heavenly place from far and close. The avenues are thronged to the full. Around one lakh and fifty thousand bloom kavadis (which increment with every year) are offered to the divinity. Seeing the enthusiasts who convey them, expressing the consecrated and motivating 'Aro Hara!' as they walk and move in long columns touches the very center of our souls and makes us enchanted. One ought to see it to trust it.

December 31st Step Festival

At the point when the old (Gregorian) year is rung out and the New Year sets in (ie at the stroke of midnight on December 31st every year), lakhs of enthusiasts are available on the holy Tanikai slope to have the darshan of their God. They come to Tiruttani to offer their heart-felt supplications to God to our God on that day and night to be honored with peace and bounty amid the New Year. This celebration came into vogue amid the British Raj when the popular Vallimalai Swamigal induced his adherents to offer their respect first to God Tanigesan, the supplier of all great, and at exactly that point to their official supervisors. On this day, various bhajana gatherings assemble and climb the slope, singing the resonant Tiruppugazh melodies and smoldering camphor on each of the slope's 365 stages, one for every day of the New Year.

The whole air is loaded with the music of these reverential melodies, which is a dining experience to the eyes and ears. Seeing the Vel Kavadi taken to the sanctum by a few enthusiasts on this day with the vel, sharp ends pricked and penetrated everywhere throughout the body over the hip (notwithstanding which they convey it effortlessly and elegance) motivates and raises our considerations to revere our God for His relentless, heavenly and wonderful forces.

Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot procession is held on every day, except on Festival days.

Gajavalli

Daughters of Lord Vishnu, Amudavalli and Sundaravalli performed penance seeking Lord Muruga’s hands. Deivanai was under the care of Indira while Nambirajan took care of Valli. They realized their aim and became consorts of Lord Muruga. They wished to show that they were one and took the form of Gajavalli. Gajavalli holds the Lotus in the Her right hand attributed to Valli and the Neelotpala flower in the left representing Deivanai. She graces from Her parrot vehicle.

Sandal that cures

The sandal paste used in Muruga worship in Tiruthani has a divine significance. It is not ground on the stone we usually use but the one gifted by Devendra. Devotees do not put this sandal Prasad on their forehead but dissolve in water and consume it as it is believed that would cure them from any disease. This Prasad is offered only on festival days.

Abishek with hot water

Sri Aadhi Balasubramania graces on the wall behind the sanctum sanctorum as a child. He was the Lord with Akshara Mala and a Kamandala (a small pot with a handle to carry water usually held by Gods and Sages) before his wedding with Valli. In the month of Marghazhi (December-January) abishek is performed with hot water as this is the winter season. Devotees cannot see their Child Lord trembling with cold, hence bathe Him in hot water.

Puja to steps on New Year day

This is a temple with 365 steps representing the days of the year. During the British rule, people use to greet their white rulers on the New Year day. Using this custom to turn people to the spiritual side, Muruga devotee Sri Vallimalai Swamigal began Padi Puja (worshipping the steps) in the year 1917. On the previous night, each step would be washed and adored with turmeric and kumkum offering Arti with camphor singing a Tirupugazh hymn. After Puja to the steps, special pujas are performed to Lord Muruga at 12.00 midnight.

Pooja Timings

Pooja	Time
Vishvaruba Dharsanam	06.00 A.M
Kala Sandhi Pooja	08.00 P.M
Uchala kala Pooja	12.00 P.M
Sayaratchai Pooja	05.00 P.M
Ardhajama Pooja	08.00 P.M
Palliarai Pooja	08.45 P.M

Pooja Fee Structure

S.no	Pooja Name	Price
1	Panjamiruthia Abisegam	Rs.1000
2	Thirukalyanam urchavam	Rs.2000
3	Sandhanakaapau	Rs.4000
4	Thanga Kavasam	Rs.500
5	Keadayam Urchavam	Rs.1000
6	Golden Chariot	Rs.2000
7	Velli Thear Urchavam	Rs.3500
8	Velli Myil And Other Vechicel	Rs.3500
9	Sahacranama Archanai	Rs.400
10	Monthly Kriuthikai Ticket (One year)	Rs.500
11	Annadhannam(Per Day)	Rs.2500
12	Annadhannam (Yearly Once)	Rs.25000

Offerings

Tonsuring, offering coins equal to one’s weight (Tulabaram), offering Pongal-pudding, performing abishek with Panchamirtham made of five ingredients, milk, sandal paste, lighting lamps with ghee, carrying milk pots, and feeding the poor are the main prayer commitments followed by the devotees. They also perform the wedding festival for Lord Muruga. The rich offer liberal contributions for the maintenance and renovation of the temple.

Rare Facts

Aside from the puranic significance of Tirutanikai, Saint Arunagirinathar, the famous devotee of God Muruga who lived 600 years prior, applauded this slope as the picked spot for worship by devas and the most loved homestead holy people performing delayed tapas (severities). He additionally contrasted this slope with Sivaloka (Bhuloka) and as the very soul of the world.

Accessibility

Airport

Nearest Airport is Chennai.

Railways

Nearest Railway Stations are Arakonam, Tiruvallur.

Road

Tiruthani is 97 km from Chennai, 42 km from Tiruvallur and 42 km from Kancheepuram.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Subramanya Swami Thirukoil,
Tiruttani,Tiruvallur District,
Pincode - 631 209.