Sri Subramanyaswamy Temple, Thiruthani

Tiruthani Murugan temple is a Hindu temple, on the hill of Thiruttani,and is situated in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu,India, dedicated to Lord Muruga. The hill has 365 steps indicating 365 days of the year.It is one of the Arupadaiveedu, the six holy abodes of Lord Muruga. The other five are: Palani (56 km west of Dindigul), Swamimalai (5 km east of Kumbakonam), Tirupparangunram (5 km from Madurai), Pazhamudircholai (25 km north of Madurai) and Thiruchendur (165 km south of Madurai).

Tiruttani temple is located on Chennai – Mumbai Railway route. It is about 13 Kms North from Arokkanam Railway Junction; 43 Kms North from Kancheepuram and 84 Kms West from Chennai (Via Thiruvallur). Tirupathi is about 66 Kms, North from Tiruttani. Convenient and good transport facilities by road and rail are available from Tiruttani to all parts of the nation.

According to one legend Subramanyar married Valli who is from the Vallimalai hills located nearby.Another legend has it that Skanda married Deivayanai the daughter of Indra, the King of the Gods. Lord Indra presented his elephant Airavatam as a gift to the couple. However,upon Airavatam's departure Indra's wealth dwindled.Lord Subramanya is said to have offered to return the elephant, but Indra refused to accept it and insisted that that the elephant face his direction. Hence the image of the elephant in this temple also faces east.It is also believed that Skanda bore the discus thrown by the demon Tarakasuran on his chest and hence the image of Subramanya in this temple bears a hollow in the chest and also that Skanda gifted the discus to Vishnu. Skanda imparted knowledge of Tamil to the sage Agasthyar and hence he is regarded as Veeramurthy, Gnanamurthy and Acharyamurthy in this shrine.

This temple has been patronized by the Vijayanagar rulers and local chieftains and zamindars and has also been mentioned in the Tirumurugaatruppadai composed by Nakkeerar. The hill temple can be reached by road, and also accessed through a flight of 365 steps. It has four prakarams and a series of towers. There is a shrine to Aabat Sahaaya Vinayakar who is said to have come to the aid of Skanda in winning Valli's hand in marriage.

 Daily Darshan Timings

First Darshan – 6:00 AM – Vishwaroopa Darshan

Kala Shanti Puja – 8:00 AM

Noon puja – 12:00 PM

Evening Puja – 5:00 PM

Arthajama Puja – 8:00 PM

Last Puja (palliyari puja) – 9:00 PM

The puja timings are as provided by the Government endowment board.

Festivals                                                                                                                                                       
Besides the monthly Krittikais which attract a large number of devotees to this shrine, the two outstanding annual festivals are the Aadi Krittikai and the 31st of December New Year Step Festival. The float festival is celebrated in the month of Aadi, Bhramotsavam in the month of Maasi, during which Valli Kalyanam is celebrated on the 8th day, and the Skanda Sashti is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aippasi.

Aadi Krittikai

Aadi Krittikai festival (in July–August) lasts for three days with Float Festival when hundreds of thousands of devotees come to this holy place from far and near. The streets are thronged to the full. About one fifty thousand flower kavadis (which increase with each year) are offered to the deity. The sight of the devotees who carry them, uttering the sacred and inspiring "Haro Hara!" as they march and dance in long rows touches the very core of devotees' hearts and makes them spellbound.

December 31st Step Festival

When the new year srikes on 31st dec midnight, hundreds of thousands of devotees are present on the sacred Tanikai hill to have the darshan of their Lord. They come to Tiruttani to offer their heart-felt prayers to our Lord on that day and night to be blessed with peace and plenty during the New Year. This festival came into vogue during the British Raj when the famous Vallimalai Swamigal persuaded his followers to offer their homage first to Lord Tanigesan, the giver of all good, and only then to their official bosses. On this day, numerous bhajana parties gather and ascend the hill, singing the melodious Tiruppugazh songs and burning camphor on each of the hill's 365 steps, one for each day of the New Year.