Thiruthani — The Fifth Abode, Where Murugan Married Valli
The Divine Romance of Valli and Murugan
Thiruthani is the fifth of the six sacred abodes and holds a special place in the hearts of devotees as the site of Lord Murugan's romantic union with Valli, the daughter of the tribal chieftain. This temple represents the beautiful synthesis of the divine and the earthly — where the celestial lord descended to marry a mortal woman, embodying the concept that divine love transcends all boundaries of caste, class, and species.
According to legend, Valli was born from a doe under the influence of a divine boon. She was raised by a tribal chieftain and grew up as a beautiful maiden in the forests around Thiruthani Hill. Murugan, captivated by her devotion and beauty, approached her as a hunter, then as an old ascetic, and finally revealed his true form as the six-faced god. After various divine comedies and tests of faith, Murugan married Valli at Thiruthani, with the gods themselves attending the celestial wedding.
Architecture and the Hill Temple
The temple is situated atop a hill 365 feet high, accessed by a flight of 640 steps that symbolically represent one step for each day of the year. The climb offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Puliyur Lake and the distant Eastern Ghats. A road winds up the hill for vehicle access, and the temple trust operates a shuttle service for elderly and disabled pilgrims.
The main sanctum houses Murugan as Valli Devasena Pati (the husband of Valli and Devasena) in a seated posture, with Valli on his left and Devasena on his right — a depiction unique to Thiruthani. The temple architecture reflects Vijayanagara and later Pandya influences, with the vimana and mandapas featuring exquisite stone carvings. The temple tank, Saravana Poigai, is located at the foot of the hill.
Presiding Deities
The principal deity is Lord Murugan with his two consorts Valli and Devasena. The small shrine on the left side of the main sanctum is dedicated to Devasena, while Valli has her own shrine nearby. The temple also houses shrines for Shiva (as Thanigachalamudaiyar), Parvati, Ganesha, and Bhairava. A notable shrine is dedicated to the Navagrahas (nine planets), which is unusual in a Murugan temple.
Pooja Schedule & Rituals
The temple follows the standard five-pooja schedule: Ushathkalam (6:00 AM), Kalasandhi (8:00 AM), Uchikkalam (12:00 PM), Sayaratchai (6:00 PM), and Ardha Jamam (8:30 PM). Friday evenings are especially auspicious, featuring grand aarthi ceremonies. Special abhishekams include the Kalyana Abhishekam (wedding ceremony) performed on Panguni Uthiram.
Festivals
Aadi Kiruthigai — the Friday of the Tamil month Aadi (July-August) — is the most important festival at Thiruthani, drawing tens of thousands of devotees. Vaikasi Visakam (May-June), Panguni Uthiram (March-April, celebrating Murugan's wedding), and Skanda Sashti (October-November) are other major events. The Thiruthani Ther Thiruvizha (chariot festival) in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February) features the grand temple car procession.
Travel Information
Thiruthani (also spelled Tiruttani) is located in Tiruvallur district, about 120 km from Chennai and 40 km from Tirupati. The nearest railway station is Tiruttani Junction, served by Chennai-Bangalore mainline trains. Chennai International Airport (120 km) provides air connectivity. The temple is open from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Accommodation is available through the temple trust. The best time to visit is during Aadi Kiruthigai (July-August) for the most vibrant celebrations.