Pilgrimage Tours
Photo: Srithern · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped
The Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple at Tiruttani stands on Thanigai hill in Tiruvallur district and is the fifth of the Arupadai Veedu, the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu. Tradition holds that Murugan came here to cool his anger after the battle with Surapadman, so he is worshipped at Tiruttani in a calm, settled form rather than a martial one; the presiding image is associated with the vajra vel and with the elephant as vahana rather than the peacock. The hill is climbed by a flight of 365 steps, one for each day of the year, which is the temple's best-known physical feature, and a nine-tiered gopuram marks the shrine above. The site is old enough to be praised in the Sangam-era Tirumurugatruppadai and later in the Thiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar, whose statue stands in the temple.
October to February is the most comfortable stretch, when the Tamil plains are cool and the climb is manageable for elders. Skanda Sashti falls in the Tamil month of Aippasi (roughly October–November) and is observed over six days; Aadi Krithigai (July–August) and the New Year Step Festival on 31 December, when devotees light camphor on each of the 365 steps, both draw very heavy crowds and are hard going with small children or older parents. Every monthly Krithigai star is also busy — pick an ordinary weekday if a quiet darshan matters more than festival atmosphere.
The nearest airport is Tirupati (Renigunta), roughly 60–70 km away, with Chennai International Airport about 80–90 km by road and far better connected for most families. Tiruttani has its own railway station on the Chennai–Arakkonam–Renigunta line, about 2–3 km from the temple foot, and Chennai Central–Tirupati passenger and express trains stop here. By road Tiruttani is about 85–90 km from Chennai, around 42 km from Thiruvallur and about the same from Kanchipuram, with regular state buses; the town bus stand is a short auto ride from the hill.
The shrine is on a hill reached by 365 steps. There is also a motorable ghat road to the hilltop, so elders and families who cannot climb can be driven up — worth planning for before you book. Devotees traditionally climb barefoot, and the stone gets hot by late morning in summer. Standard South Indian temple dress applies (traditional attire; men are generally expected to remove shirts before the sanctum, as at other Murugan hill temples). Confirm darshan timings, ghat-road vehicle access and any festival-day restrictions directly with the temple before you travel.
Planned around you, not a fixed departure. Holiday Vibez arranges pilgrimages to Tiruttani Murugan Temple in Tiruttani for families, elders and temple groups travelling from Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi and Madurai. Tell us your dates and how many are coming — we build the route around that. 100% customisable.
- Stays near the shrine — so elders aren't driven back and forth at 4am.
- Private transfers — pick-up from your door, not a meeting point.
- Meals that suit the group — including pure-veg and fasting requirements.
- Group travel — 4 people or 40, one coordinator, one itinerary.
- Someone on the phone — when you're in a queue three states from home.
Temple boards run their own darshan queues and quotas. No travel agent can sell you a special one, and agencies that promise "VIP darshan" are either misleading you or breaking the trust's rules. We help you book the official slots and we get everything else right.
Most of the people we send on yatra are over 55, or booking for parents who are. We plan shorter driving days, stays within walking distance where the shrine allows it, and we'll tell you honestly if a site involves a long climb or a trek before you pay — not after.
How many steps are there at Tiruttani, and is there a way up for elderly people?
There are 365 steps, one for each day of the year, and many devotees climb them barefoot. A motorable ghat road also runs to the hilltop, so elders and anyone unable to climb can go up by vehicle. Vehicle access can be restricted on major festival days, so check with the temple before you set out.
Which of the six Murugan abodes is Tiruttani, and how is it different from Palani or Tiruchendur?
Tiruttani is one of the Arupadai Veedu, the six abodes of Murugan, and is counted fifth in the traditional order. Tradition associates it with Murugan at peace after the war with Surapadman, in contrast to Tiruchendur, linked with the battle itself, and Palani, linked with renunciation.
Can Tiruttani be done as a day trip from Chennai, or combined with Tirupati?
Yes to both. Tiruttani is about 85–90 km from Chennai by road and a comfortable day trip, and it sits on the Chennai–Tirupati route, roughly 60–70 km from Tirupati, so many families combine the two. Tirumala darshan is booked and queued entirely by TTD's own system and must be arranged separately by the pilgrim.
Plan your Tiruttani Murugan Temple yatra
Family & group yatras · Free expert callback
Enquiry received!
Our travel expert will call you back soon (during Mon–Sat · 9–6 IST).
Ref: —Couldn’t send right now
No problem — reach us instantly on WhatsApp or call and we’ll take your enquiry directly.