INTRODUCTION TO TIRUTTANI MURUGAN TEMPLE:
- Tiruttani temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Murugan and it is situated on Thiruttani hill, Tamil Nadu. It is also considered one of the six abodes of lord Murugan, which is called Arupadaiveedu and it has 365 steps which represent 365 days of the year.
- Sri Vallimalai Swamigal began padi pooja in 1917. At the time of the new year, each step is washed, and also turmeric and kum kum will be applied to it.
- This ritual consists of lighting lamps with camphor while singing the hymn thirupugazh. After this, special poojas were performed in Murugan to welcome the new year at midnight.
HISTORY OF TIRUTTANI:
- The king of Kataragam Veddas, King Nambirajan, and his wife prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. Then one day the king found a baby girl in the forest and he took her to his palace and raised her as his own daughter.
- Valli grew up as a beautiful girl who is a staunch devotee of Lord Murugan. Valli started loving Murugan even though she had never seen him and made a vow to marry him.
- To test Valli, Murugan appeared before her as an old man. In another secret plan, Ganesha appeared as a wild elephant to frighten Valli. Valli was scared and run away to the old man and he rescued Valli.
- She thanked him for saving her and asked him to demand anything as a reward. He requested Valli to marry him.
- But Valli refused and later Murugan revealed himself to her and she accepted the proposal. So it is believed that the wedding of Lord Murugan and Valli took place in Tiruttani.
STORY BEHIND TIRUTTANI MURUGAN TEMPLE:
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- God of Heavens, Indra gifted his elephant Airavatam as a part of his daughter Deivanai’s marriage dowry to Murugan.
- After the departure of Airavatam, Indra’s wealth was waning. So Lord Murugan offered Indra to take back his white elephant, but he refused to take back the gift that he had given.
- Instead, he requested that the heads of the elephant statues in the temple face his direction. Thus, the elephants in this temple face the east, which is the direction of Indra.
LORD INDRA GIFTS:
- Indra also presented a sandal stone as a part of Deivanai’s marriage dowry. Sandal paste ground on this stone is said to acquire medicinal value when it is applied to the image of Murugan.
- It is believed that it is gifted by Indra. Devotees should not put this sandal paste on their forehead but it should dissolve in the water and consume it as it is believed that, it cures any disease and also only on festival days.
- Tiruttani is the place where Murugan shed his anger after destroying the demon Surapadman in Tiruchendur. Shree Rama after defeating Ravana worshipped Shiva at Rameswaram and came to Tiruttani to find peace of mind by praying Murugan.
FESTIVALS OF THE TEMPLE:
- Thaipoosam – January
- Dhavan Utchavam – Febrauary
- Maha Sivarathri – March
- Chithirai Brahmotsavam – April
- 1008 Milk Abhishegam – April
- Vasantha Utchavam – June
- Adi Kirttikai – July
- Adi Puram – August
- Navaratri – September
- Kanda Shasti – October
- Karthikai – November
- Thirupugazh Thirupadi Vizha – December
MAASI BRAHMOTSAVAM:
- Maasi big festival is celebrated for 10 days which is celebrated as the marriage of Valli and Murugan in February – march in a grand manner when lakhs of devotees will visit the temple.
- Deivanai festival is also important and the kavadi number is estimated at 10 lakhs. There will be a sea of devotees taking place.
- Tiruttani will be inundated by devotees on the following stars Ashwini, Bharani, and Kruthikai.
AADI KIRTTIKAI:
Aadi kirttikai is a three days festival that is celebrated in the month of July – August.
At that time the streets are thronged to the full about one fifty thousand flower kavadis. The devotees who carry them will utter the sacred and inspiring ”Haro Hara” as they march and dance in the long rows touching the very core of devotees’ hearts and making them spellbound.
DECEMBER 31ST STEP FESTIVAL:
- When the English New Year strikes on 31st December at midnight. Thousands of devotees will present on the sacred Tanikai hill to get the darshan of Lord Murugan on that day.
- On this day, numerous bhajans gather and ascend the hill, singing the melodious Thirupugazh songs, and burning camphor on each of the Hill’s 365 steps. one for each day of the New Year.
DAILY PUJAS:
- Vishvarupa Dharshan – 6.00 AM
- Kala Sandhi Pooja – Sunday & Tuesday at 8.00 AM Other days of the week at 5.00 AM
- Uchi kala puja – 12.00 PM
- Sayaratchai puja – 5.00 PM
- Ardhajama puja – 8.00 PM
- Palliarai puja – 8.45 PM
SPECIAL PUJAS:
- Panjamirtha Abishekam
- Thirukalyanam Urchavam
- Sandhanakaapu
- Thanga Kavasam
- Kedayam Urchavam
- Golden Chariot
- Velli Thaer Urchavam
- Velli Mayil and another vehicle
- Sahasranama Archana
ARCHITECTURE OF THE TEMPLE:
- The temple is situated on the hill called Thanigai and can reach after climbing 60 steps.
- This temple has a five-tiered gopuram and four precincts.
- The temple has two shrines namely, Murugan in the form of Shaktidharar and his two consorts Valli and Deivayanai in two other shrines.
FAMOUS PLACES IN TIRUTTANI:
- Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple
- Kailasakona Waterfalls
- Shri Oondreeswarar Shiva Temple
- Sri Veda Narayanaswami Temple
- Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple
- Vaacheeswarar Temple
- Nagalapuram Falls.
TIMINGS OF THE TEMPLE:
The temple opens at the time of 5.00 in the morning and will have abhisheka for Lord Murugan and it closes at the time of 8.00 at night. Then the festival time the temple will open till midnight.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:
Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Thirukoil,
Tiruttani – 631 209,
Tiruvallur District,
Tamil Nadu,
Contact No: 044-27885247.
CHENNAI TO TIRUTTANI:
The distance between Chennai to tiruttani is 93.3 km and it takes 2.46 hrs to reach the temple.
COIMBATORE TO TIRUTTANI:
The distance between Coimbatore to tiruttani is 470 km and it takes 8.44 hrs to reach the temple.
TIRUTTANI TO PAZHAMUDIRCHOLAI:
The distance between tiruttani to pazhamudircholai is 456.6 km and it takes 9 hrs to reach the destination.