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Tiruttani constitutes one of the 6 padai veedu shrines of
Skanda (Lord Subramanya), and it represents the site where Subramanya
stayed after destroying the demon Surapadman. Tiruttani is said to be the
place where the Lord Subramanya married Valli - one of his two consorts.
This sacred place is on the Chennai-Mumbai
route, 13 kilometres from Arkonam and 84 kilometres from
Chennai.
About The Temple
The beautiful temple of Lord Muruga at Tiruttani crowns a single rock 700
feet above sea level. It is situated amidst a range of hills with a
dramatic panoramic view.
The hill temple (the hill is called Tanikai hill) 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
adorning the image of Skanda is decorated with green stones and is of
great beauty. Also of significance here is a golden Vilva garland.
Saravana Poikai
The sacred tanks of the shrines of the Lord are all known as "Saravanapoikai"
(sacred pond of the reedy marsh where Lord Kartikeya was born). The tank
at Tiruttani, which (unlike in other places) is at the very foot of the
hill, is particularly renowned for its sacred water (Teertham) having
curative effect for ailments both bodily and mental, as it is rich in
minerals such as sulfur, iron, etc. A bath in this holy tank refreshes the
devotee and makes him hale and healthy.
Sapta Rishi Teertham
At the lovely garden on the south side of this sacred hill amidst a thick
cluster of shady trees and seven cool sprints, the Seven Rishis (who today
form the Great Bear stellar constellation) are said to have worshipped
Lord Muruga (Lord Subramanya) and the Sapta Kannikas (Seven Virgins)
enshrined at this place in a tiny temple.
On the outskirts of the Tiruttani town, on both sides of the Nandi River,
are the ancient temples of Lord Vijayaragama Swami, Arumuga Swami and
Veerateeswarar, the latter two of which are more than a thousand years
old. In the temple of Arumuga Swami, there is Surya puja every year for
three days in March when the rising sun is said to worship Lord Subramanya
by casting its rays upon the holy Feet of the deity on the first day,
Breast on the second day and Head on the third day through a hole in the
wall, which reveals the marvelous intellect of the architects of ancient
days.
History Of The Temple
The origins of this temple are buried in antiquity. Tiruttani has been
mentioned in the Sangam period work Tirumurugaatruppadai composed by
Nakkeerar. The Vijayanagar rulers and local chieftains and zamindars have
patronized it.
Legends Connected With The Temple
Legend has it that Subramanya 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.
Subramanya 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 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 daughter's 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.
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.
Puranic Importance of Tiruttani
Of Lord Murugan's six padai veedus, Tiruttani ranks prominent as the
crown jewel of the Lord. As its very name indicates, when we propitiate
the Lord in this holy shrine, He blesses us with mental peace and bodily
happiness. His righteous indignation towards the Asuras for their cruelty
is said to have been quelled and cooled at this place and is therefore
known as "Shantipuri" (Abode of Peace). As the prayers and
desires of the devotees who worship Lord Subramanya on this hill with
faith and intense devotion are fulfilled in no time, this hill is also
called "Chanikasalam".
When the Lord came to this hill after wedding Goddess Valli at
Vallimalai, She implored Him to enlighten Her on the importance and
greatness of this hill. In reply, the Lord said that if one worshipped Him
with heart and soul for five consecutive days in this hill temple, that
person would be blessed with all that is best in this life and hereafter.
In Treta Yuga, Lord Rama, after putting an end to Ravana, worshipped Lord
Shiva at Rameshwaram, at whose request Rama came to Tiruttani and found
perfect peace of mind by worshipping Lord Subrahmanya here.
In Dwapara Yuga, Arjuna got the blessings of the Lord here by offering
prayers to Him on his way to the South for Teertha Yatra (pilgrimage to
take sacred immersion).
Lord Vishnu prayed to the Lord at this place and got back His powerful
Chakra (sacred wheel), Shanku (sacred conch), which were forcibly seized
from Him by Tarakasura, brother of Soorapadma.
Lord Brahma propitiated the Lord here at the holy spring (by the sides of
the steps to the shrine) known as "Brahmasonai" after his
imprisonment by the Lord for his failure to explain the Pranava ('Om'
mantra) and got back his creative function of which he was deprived by the
Lord due to his egotistic impudence in neglecting to worship Lord
Subrahmanya on his way to Mount Kailasa to worship Lord Shiva.
Lord Indra planted and reared in the pool known as "Indrasonai"
adjoining this hill temple the rare plant known as "Karunkuvalai",
which gave three flowers a day and worshipped the Lord thrice daily with
these flowers and, thus, got back the precious wealth of Deva Loka such as
Sanghaneeti, Padmaneeti, Chintamani etc seized by the Asura Titan.
Literary Importance of Tiruttani
Apart from the puranic greatness of Tiruttani, Saint Arunagirinathar, the
illustrious devotee of Lord Muruga who lived 600 years ago, praised this
hill as the chosen place for worship by devas and the favorite abode of
saints performing prolonged tapas (austerities). He also compared this
hill to Shivaloka (Bhuloka) and as the very soul of the world. Saint
Ramalinga Swamigal (Arutprakasa Vallalar), who lived 150 years ago, was
invited to come here by the Lord, Who appeared before the saint in the
mirror of his puja room at Chennai after which the sour-stirring arutpa
songs flowed from his lips in chaste Tamil like a torrential stream.
Sri Muttuswami Deekshitar, who lived 200 years ago (one of the trinity of
Karnatic music) had his inspiration in Tiruttani when the Lord (in the
guise of an old man) met him on the steps and sweetened his tongue with
the prasadam of this temple, which impelled him to sing his first song on
the Lord.
Many a miraculous event takes place at this shrine from time to time by
the grace of the Lord.
Festivals Celebrated
Four worship services are offered each day here. 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. Other festivals celebrated are the
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. The gold and silver peacock Vahanams (also spelt
as Vahanas) are of great beauty here.
Aadi Krittikai
Aadi Krittikai festival (in July-August) lasts for three days with Float
Festival when lakhs and lakhs of devotees come to this holy place from far
and near. The streets are thronged to the full. About one lakh and 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!" (Hallelujah) as they march and dance in
long rows touches the very core of our hearts and makes us spellbound. One
should see it to believe it.
December 31st Step Festival
When the old (Gregorian) year is rung out and the New Year sets in (ie at
the stroke of midnight on December 31st each year), lakhs 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 the Lord on that
day and night to be blessed with peace and plenty during the New Year.
Nearby Attractions
Around Tiruttani are famous religious places such as
Kanchipuram (Banares of the
South) on the South, Sholingar and Vallimalai on the West, the popular and
renowned pilgrimage center,
Tirupati
(otherwise called Balaji) and Kalahasti (with its Vayu Lingam) on the
North and Tiruvalangadu (of puranic fame) with Lord Nataraja on the East.
Air: The nearest airport is at
Chennai (84-km).
Rail: Tiruttani is situated on the
Chennai-Renugunta
railway line. There are many trains from Chennai going via Tiruttani.
Road: Several buses ply between Tiruttani and Chennai (86-km) and
between Tiruttani and Tirupati (66-km).
Accommodation is available at the small hotels, lodges and choultries at Tiruttani.