Sri Subramaniaswami temple (Tiruthani) - Aarupadai Vedu 5th Murugan temple

 

Moolavar	Subramaniaswami
Urchavar	Shanmughar
Amman / Thayar	Valli, Deivanai
Thala Virutcham	Maguda tree
Theertham	Indira theertham, Saravana Poigai,Saraswathi theertham, Madachettikulam,Nallankulam
Agamam / Pooja	Kumara Tantra
Old year	1000-2000 years old
Historical Name	Siruthani
City	Tiruthani
District	Tiruvallur
State	Tamil Nadu

Temple History:

The 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.

Temple's Speciality:

The hill temple has 365 steps representing the days of a year. The shrine of the procession deity is in a mandap made of 1 lakh Rudrakshas. This is the fifth army camp – Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Saint Arunagiriar graces in a sitting form. After destroying demon Sura in Tiruchendur, Lord Muruga came to this place. His fury cooled and He became smiling and peaceful-Shanta Swarupi. It is here that the King of Devas Indira gifted his white elephant as a wedding gift to Deivanai. We can notice a scar on the chest of the Lord caused by his direct clash with the demon. In the place of peacock, there is elephant in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Muruga holds a weapon on His right hand called Vajravel that would produce a thunderlike sound. His left hand is on the hip representing the Gnana Shakti (power of wisdom). The Vel generally seen in other Muruga temples is not here. Also, the Surasamharam festival (destroying the demon Sura) is not celebrated in this temple. While the Vahanas (vehicle of the deities) face the Lord in the sanctum, the elephant vahan is facing the opposite side in this temple.

Festival

10 day Masi big festival-wedding with Valli in February-March is celebrated in the temple in a grand manner when crowd of devotees would be in lakhs. 10 day Chithirai – April-May, Deivanai festival also is equally big and important drawing lakhs. The Kavadi numbers is estimated at 10 lakhs. It will be a sea of devotees. Tiruthani will be inundated by devotees on Ashwini, Bharani and Kruthika star days flowing from Andra, Karnataka and Arcot. Kruthika, Tamil and English New Year days, Pongal and Tuesdays are festive days in the temple.

Singers

The temple is praised in the Tirupugazh hymns of Saint Arunagirinathar, Saint Ramalinga Swamigal and Poet Laureate Nakeerar’s Tirumugattrupadai heading that part of Tamil Sangam Literature Pathupattu – 10 songs.

Opening Time:

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. continuously.

Address

Sri Subramaniaswami Temple, Tiruthanigai, Tiruvallur district.

Phone

+91-44 2788 5303

General Information:

The Kalhara Theertham created by Indira is on the hill.  Lord Muruga met and took Valli and married her in this place.  This is a beautiful Muruga temple with 365 steps.  Though traditionally devotees begin the worship in any temple with Vinayaka worship, He, Aabath Sahaya Vinayaka (Vinayaka coming to rescue of the devotee when in need) is worshipped at the last phase in this temple.  There is also a Vishnu Durga Temple in this place.  This is an ancient temple.

The Vimana-roof tower- above the sanctum sanctorum has six petals.

Prayers

Devotees throng the temple seeking wedding, child boons, family welfare and prosperity and longevity.  People are freed from confusions and anger and become peaceful in nature after worshipping the Lord.

Location : Tiruthani is 97 km from Chennai, 42 km from Tiruvallur and 42 km from Kancheepuram.
Near By Railway Station : Arakonam, Tiruvallur
Near By Airport :   Chennai