Main god : Lord Muruga
Deities : Muruga
Location : Arulmigu Subramanya Swami Thirukoil,
Tiruttani – 631 209,
Tiruvallur District.
97 KM from Chennai, 77 KM from Vellore,42 KM from Kanchipuram,145 KM from Tiruvannamalai, 42 KM from Thiruvallur, Palani is 504 KM away on the South of Palani.
Festivals :
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.
Workship Time :
Morning : 05.45 AM
Evening : 08.45 PM
Pooja Timings :
Vishvaruba Dharsanam – 06.00 A.M
Kala Sandhi Pooja – 08.00 P.M
Uchala Kala Pooja – 12.00 P.M
Savaratchai Pooja – 05.00 P.M
Ardhajama Pooja – 08.00 P.M
Palliarai Pooja – 08.45 P.M
Overview
Tiruttani constitutes one of the 6 padai veedu shrines of Skanda, and it represents the site where Subramanyar stayed after destroying the demon Surapadman. It has been revered by the Tiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar, Tirumurugatruppadai of the Sangam period, Tanikai puranam by Kachiappa munivar. Ramalinga Adigalaar is also associated with this shrine.
Legend has it that Subramanyar married Valli who hailed from the Vallimalai hills nearby. The same legend is associated with Velimalai in Kanyakumari district.
Legend also has it that Indra the king of the Gods gave his daughter Deivayanai in marriage to Skanda, and along with her presented his elephant Airavatam as part of his dowry offering. Upon Airavatam’s departure Indra found his wealth waning.
Subramanyar is said to have offered to return the white elephant, however Indra bound by protocol refused to accept a gift that he had made, and insisted that that the elephant face his direction, hence the image of the elephant in this temple also faces the 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.
Legend also has it that Skanda bore the discus thrown by the demon Tarakasuran on his chest, and hence there is a hollow in the chest region of the image of Subramanya in this temple. Legend also has it that Skanda gifted the discus to Vishnu (Please also see Tiruveezhimizhalai and Tirumalper).
Legend also has it that Skanda imparted knowledge of Tamil to the sage Agasthyar and he is regarded as Veeramurthy, Gnanamurthy and Acharyamurthy in this shrine.
History :
he story of Lord Muruga and Valli has a great message of philosophy. Every one should walk towards the Almighty for liberation from the cycle of births and deaths. The world we live in is a rented house and what our own is the feet of the Lord. Almost all of us feel that this is ours and are hunting for material wealth and pleasures. Enlightened souls understand this truth and they win illusions and reach the final destination-the feet of the Lord.
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.
Fields – Thinaipuam 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.
The Temple :
The hill temple here is reached by a motorable road, and is also accessed through a flight of 365 steps. It has 4 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.
The processional image of Skanda is housed in a Rudraksha vimanam with his consorts. The shadkona padakkam or the hexagonal medallion is adorning the image of Skanda is decorated with green stones and is of great beauty. Also of significance here is a golden vilva garland.
