Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Temple, Tiruttani
Tiruttani (Malaikoil), Tiruvallur district · Lord Subramaniya Swamy (Murugan) as Gnana Shakthidharar, with Valli and Deivanai in separate shrines
The fifth abode: a hilltop of 365 steps where Murugan cooled his anger after war and married Valli.
Tiruttani, on Thanigai hill about 85 km from Chennai, is the fifth of Murugan's six abodes and the nearest to Chennai and Tirupati. Here Murugan is said to have rested and calmed his anger after destroying Surapadman, and to have married Valli, the hunter's daughter. The hill is climbed by 365 steps, one for each day of the year, which are worshipped every New Year's Eve in the Thiruppadi festival. Murugan stands alone without his peacock, holding the Gnana Vel, with a scar on his chest from the war; his elephant mount looks east towards Indra's heaven.
Timings
- Temple open: 6:00 AM – 8:45 PM, no break (special paid darshan continues even during abhishekam)
- Temple buses (Thanigai Illam to hill): 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Festivals: Timings change on festival days. Check official site
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
- Special Entrance – ₹100 per person
Sevas and costs
- Panchamirtha Abishegam – ₹2,000 (Slots 5:00–6:00 AM, 8:00–9:00 AM, 12:00–1:00 PM, 5:00–6:00 PM (on Sundays and Tuesdays…)
- Sandhanakappu (sandalwood covering) – ₹10,000 (5:00 – 6:00 PM)
- Thirukalyana Urchavam (divine wedding) – ₹4,000 (10:00 – 11:00 AM)
- Kedaya Urchavam – ₹1,500 (7:00 – 8:00 PM)
- Golden Chariot – ₹3,500 (Daily, 7:30 PM (except monthly Krithigai and special days))
- Silver chariot / silver peacock and other vahanam – ₹8,000 each (On request)
- Golden Kavacham – ₹1,000 (Check official site)
- Sahasranama Archanai – ₹750 (During temple hours)
- Abhishekam with vibhuti, rose water, milk, curd, sandal or tender coconut – ₹200 (Pooja times)
- Krithigai special archanai (12 months) – ₹500 (Krithigai star day every month for a year)
- Archanai – ₹10 (During temple hours)
- Annai Thamizhil Vazhipadu – ₹10 (During temple hours)
How to book darshan
Panchamirtha abhishekam, sandhanakappu, thirukalyanam, kedaya utsavam, special entrance and archanai are on the HR&CE portal; other sevas at the hill temple office.
Dress code
Traditional dress for ticketed services: dhoti or trousers with shirt for men; saree or churidar with dupatta for women.
Best time to visit
November to February. The 31 December – 1 January Thiruppadi festival and Aadi Krithigai (Jul–Aug) are the big days.
How to reach
- air: Chennai International Airport, approx. 85 km; Tirupati Airport, approx. 70 km.
- rail: Tiruttani station on the Chennai–Arakkonam–Renigunta line; frequent suburban and express trains from Chennai Central.
- road: Buses from Chennai (Koyambedu/CMBT), Tirupati and Vellore. Ghat road to the hilltop: entry fee bus ₹100, car ₹50, three-wheeler ₹30, two-wheeler ₹10. Temple buses from Thanigai Illam to the hill: ₹20 (up and down), 6 AM – 8:30 PM.
Festivals
- Aadi Krithigai – Aadi (Jul–Aug), 3 days plus 5 days of flower kavadi
- Thiruppadi Thiruvizha (step festival) – 31 December – 1 January
- Masi Brahmotsavam and Valli Kalyanam – Masi (Feb–Mar)
- Chithirai Brahmotsavam – Apr–May
- Margazhi – Dec–Jan
- Kanda Sashti – Aippasi (Oct–Nov)