Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruttani

Religious significance

Tiruttani is one of the Arupadaiveedu (six abodes), a set of Hindu temples dedicated to Murugan. The temple is mentioned in the Sangam literature Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai by Nakkeerar. Arunagirinathar was a Tamil poet who lived in the 14 century CE. He composed Tamil hymns glorifying Murugan, the most notable being Tiruppukal, and included hymns about the temple. There is a statue of Arunagirinathar, in a seated form, in the temple.

Architecture

The temple is atop on a hillock named Thanigai hill. There are 365 steps which represent the days of a normal calendar year. Kalhara Theertham, a water body supposedly created by Indra, is located atop the hill. The temple has a nine-tiered main gopuram and four precincts (praharas). The vimana above the garbagriha (sanctum) has six petals. Vinayaka is located in forefront, and is known as "Abath Sahaya Vinayaka", meaning protector from evil.

Murugan is represented in a standing pose with his left hand on his hip. He is seen holding a vajra vel (thunderbolt) in his right hand, instead of his usual weapon (vel). There is a scar on the chest, a remnant from his war with the asuras. There is an elephant mount (vahana) instead of his usual peacock mount. The elephant signifies Airavata, which was gifted to Murugan by Indra, and faces east, in a direction away from the main sanctum. This iconography is maintained only in two places, Swamimalai and Tiruttani. The temple has separate shrines for Deivanai and Valli. There are separate shrines for Durga, and Bhairava. Bhairava is represented holding four dogs, which represent the four Vedas.

Practices and festivals

As Murugan came to Tiruttani to sate his anger after killing the asuras, the god is said to free one of anger and other evils. While Surasamharam, a festival to commemorate the killing of Surapadman, is widely celebrated across Murugan temples, it is not celebrated here. On the Surasamharam day, Murugan is showered with flowers, in a gesture to sate his anger. Like other Murugan temples, the worship practises include tonsuring in the temple, and offering of panchamirtham (a mixture of five ingredients) and milk. Carrying milk pots and Kavadi are other common forms of worship. A special sandalwood paste is applied on the deity during specific days. The paste is said to have medicinal benefits, and is later given as a prasadam.

There are few festivals and practices unique to the temple. A three-day festival is celebrated, beginning on the day when the Krittika nakshatra falls in the month of Aadi. Murugan is taken on a procession from the Sarvana pond in the foothills to atop the hill, and devotees carry kavadis decorated with flowers, as Indra was believed to have worshiped Murugan in this manner. In the month of Margazhi, Murugan is ritually bathed before his wedding to Valli. He is bathed in hot water, as it is believed that the cold water might cause inconvenience to the young Murugan during winter. The steps leading to the temple are washed, and turmeric is applied on them on the New year's eve, and a special puja is performed at 12 a.m. on the New year.

The occasion of Murugan's wedding with Deivanai is celebrated during the month of Chithirai. The annual Brahmotsvam and Murugan's wedding with Valli, is celebrated during the month of Masi. During the multi-day Brahmotsavam festival, Murugan is carried on various mounts on different days. He appears on tiger mount on the sixth day, signifying the disguise of the hunter he took to entice Valli. He appears on an elephant mount the next day, signifying his appearance during the marriage to Deivanai. On the final day of the festival, Murugan appears with Valli, and Deivanai.