HOLY PLACES
IN TIRUTTANI

Divine Facts:

After the thunderous battle at Thiruchendur, where Lord Muruga vanquished the formidable asura Surapadman, one might expect celebrations in the celestial realms. But Muruga, the divine warrior, sought no victory parade. He ascended a quiet hill in search of stillness. That hill was Thirutani. Here, the air was gentler, the skies calmer, and the only sound was that of silence, soft, soothing, and sacred. Muruga rested, laying down his Vel, his divine spear, and allowed peace to bloom within him. The hill, touched by his tranquillity, came to be known as Shantipuri—the abode of peace. But Thirutani held more than calm winds and sacred silence. It became the stage for divine love. Muruga, ever the charming strategist, wooed and won Valli, a tribal princess with a fiery spirit. Their union, celebrated with simplicity and joy, found its sacred ground here. If Deivanai symbolised royal alliance, Valli was the heartbeat of the earth—and it was at Thirutani that their love took form. Over time, the hill drew not just lovers and warriors, but seekers. Many of them. Lord Rama came here after defeating Ravana, seeking peace of mind. Arjuna, the Pandava prince, stopped during his southern pilgrimage to offer his prayers. Lord Vishnu, whose divine discus and conch were snatched away by the asura Tarakasura, prayed here and reclaimed them. Sage Agastya, the revered rishi, received the gift of the Tamil language from Muruga on this very hill. Even Vasuki, the serpent used during the churning of the Milky Ocean, found healing here—his wounds soothed by the grace of Muruga. And what a temple stands atop this hill. While most Murugan temples place a proud peacock beside the Lord, here, it is Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, who stands before the sanctum. A celestial in-law gift, perhaps. Muruga himself appears different too, not as the armed commander but as the peaceful divine. His Vel and Seval Kodi (rooster flag) lie nearby, resting, as if even they too needed a break from all that cosmic drama. Then there’s the sandalwood stone—another gift from Lord Indra, offered during Muruga’s wedding to Deivanai. From this sacred stone, priests prepare sandal paste. But unlike other temples, this isn’t for smearing on the forehead. Instead, it is mixed with water and consumed. It is believed to hold healing properties, capable of soothing both body and spirit—a divine medicine, served with a spoonful of faith. The journey up to this holy shrine isn’t just measured in distance, but in days. 365 steps lead the way to the sanctum, each representing a day of the year. Climbing them feels like walking through time itself—one step for each worry shed, each prayer whispered. And then, there was Muthuswami Dikshitar. A man of music, yet adrift in silence—until he arrived at Thirutani. Legend says Lord Muruga appeared before him in the form of an old man, offering him prasadam. That morsel wasn’t just food—it was a spark. Dikshitar’s heart opened, melodies poured forth, and from silence came symphony. That day, a composer was born.

Divine Facts:

Nestled amidst a forest once abundant with banyan trees, Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple is a sanctuary of cosmic energy and spiritual depth. Legend tells of a divine dance duel between Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali, initiated to quell her uncontrollable fury after vanquishing the demons Sumban and Nisumban. Witnessed by celestial beings and sages, the dance ended with Shiva's mesmerising ‘Oordhuva Thandavam’—a move so graceful and divine that Kali accepted defeat, restoring peace across the realms. It is also where the revered Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a great devotee, walked on her head to witness Shiva’s celestial dance and found her eternal resting place at his feet. With every step and shrine steeped in sacred lore, this temple continues to echo with the rhythm of devotion and timeless legends.