Devotional illustration · Artistic interpretation of the temple
Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu
A sacred hill abode of Murugan, associated in devotional tradition with tranquillity and the settling of the mind.
What is special here
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The abode of anger settling: the temple of after-the-battle
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365 steps, one for each day of the year
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Murugan holds a thunderbolt here, not the vel, and rides an elephant
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The midnight New Year puja, with turmeric applied to the steps
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Open all day without a midday break, unlike most of the six
5 chapters · about 3 minutes. History, what is remembered here, and what makes this place special.
The day at Tiruttani
NEXT TODAY · 8:45 pm – 9:00 pm TEMPLE TIME
Palliyarai pooja
Daily
6:00 am – 8:45 pm, without a break
The temple's own wording is that it remains open for public darshan on all days from 6:00 am to 8:45 pm without any break. The first service of the day is listed at 5:00 am, before that public opening. There are 365 steps to the shrine, one for each day of the year.
Poojas and alankarams
5:00 am – 6:00 am
Viswaroopa pooja
Arathi is shown to the deity in the bedchamber, and thiruvamuthootal, the first food offering, is given.
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Kalasandhi pooja
Bathing, adornment and the food offering.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Uchikkala pooja
Bathing, adornment and the food offering.
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sayaraksha pooja
Bathing, adornment and the food offering.
6:00 pm – 6:15 pm
Ardhajama pooja
The food offering and lamps for the Moolavar, the deity of the sanctum.
8:45 pm – 9:00 pm
Palliyarai pooja
The processional deity is placed in the palanquin for the swing service that closes the day.
Published by the temple administration · checked September 19, 2026. Times are the temple’s published schedule, not a guarantee. Services move with the calendar, the crowd and the priests’ discretion, so confirm before you travel for a particular kalam.
Festival days are different
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The new year pilgrimage on foot to this hill is one of the largest gatherings of the Tamil calendar, and access changes completely on those days. Confirm before travelling.
Words used above
Kalam
One of the fixed worship periods of the day. A temple's day is divided into kalams, and each one is a complete service rather than a passing moment.
Abhishekam
The ritual bathing of the deity, with water, milk, sandal, honey and other offerings.
Alankaram
The adornment that follows the bathing: the robes, jewels, sandal and flowers in which Murugan is dressed for that kalam. Several temples give each kalam its own named alankaram, so the same deity is seen in a different aspect through the day.
Deeparadhanai
The waving of lamps that closes a service, when the adorned deity is shown to those standing before the sanctum.
Palliyarai
The night service in the bedchamber, when the processional deity is brought to rest and the temple closes.
Your visit
Self-recorded visits are private. Your six-abode milestone grows with each place you visit.
Find your way
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A moment of darshan
Devotional illustration inspired by raja alankaram. Adornments vary with temple practice and occasion.