The Veeraraghava Perumal temple in Tiruvallur town is one of the few major Vaishnava shrines you can reach from Chennai entirely by suburban train: EMU services link Tiruvallur station with Chennai Central, Arakkonam and Tiruttani, the Tiruvallur district administration notes. Its biggest day is Thai Amavasai, the new moon of the Tamil month of Thai in January or February, when the temple draws its largest crowds of the year.
A second, newer landmark sits just outside town: a 32-foot, five-faced Hanuman at Periyakuppam. Together they make a calm half day that avoids the ECR traffic.
The legend behind the temple
The district’s account begins with the sage Purupunyar and his wife Satyavathi, who were childless. After a year of daily offerings, Narayana appeared in the sacred fire and granted them a son, Salihotran. Salihotran later did penance at Tiruvallur. Twice he fed Narayana, who came disguised as an old Brahmin, giving away first the guest’s share and then his own. He went on to marry a princess, and the couple are said to have merged into the deity here, who appeared as Veeraraghava with his consort Kanakavalli.
This story explains the temple’s association with relief from illness and worry, and why Amavasai, the new moon, is the key day: the district page links Thai Amavasai with the day Salihotran reached Tiruvallur and found the gods bathing in the tank.
The Hrittapanasini tank
The temple tank, Hrittapanasini, is believed to dispel heartache by sight, touch or a bath, according to the district page. A mandapam in its centre is used for seasonal festivals. The same page says the tank is now dry. Whether it holds water in a given year depends on the monsoon, so do not plan a ritual bath without checking with the temple first.
The district site also records a Kumbhabhishekam, the consecration ceremony after renovation, in January 1999 following repairs to the gopurams.
Getting there from Chennai
- Suburban train: Tiruvallur is on the Chennai Central to Arakkonam line, so most westbound EMUs stop here. The temple is in the town and reachable by auto from the station.
- Bus: the town bus stand has services from early morning to late night, and buses run frequently between Avadi and Tiruvallur.
- Road: NH 16, NH 48 and NH 716 pass through the district.
- From the airport: the district page puts Tiruvallur about 47 km from the Chennai airport domestic terminal.
Panchamukha Anjaneya at Periyakuppam
About 45 km from Chennai on the Chennai to Tiruttani road, the Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneyaswami temple holds a 32-foot image carved from a single green granite block brought from Hassan in Karnataka, the district page says. It was consecrated on 6 June 2004. The five faces are Anjaneya to the east, Narasimha to the south, Garuda to the west, Lakshmi Varaha to the north and Hayagriva facing upward. Puttlur and Tiruvallur are the nearest stations. The temple’s listed phone number is 044-2760 0641.
Other stops in the district
The district’s tourist places list also includes Poondi reservoir, one of Chennai’s main water sources, and the Bhavani Amman temple at Periyapalayam. If you are fit and booking ahead, the government’s Trek Tamil Nadu programme runs a 9 km easy trail to the prehistoric Gudiyam caves in Tiruvallur district, according to its July 2026 trail list.
A simple plan
- Take a morning EMU from Chennai Central to Tiruvallur.
- Visit the Veeraraghava Perumal temple first, before the noon closure common at large temples.
- Take an auto or bus to Periyakuppam for the Panchamukha Anjaneya, then return by train from Tiruvallur or Puttlur.
The return is just as easy. Trains towards Chennai Central run through the day, so there is no need to rush. If you would rather avoid the busiest hours, leave before the evening office crowd boards at stations closer to the city.
On Thai Amavasai and other new moon days, expect heavy crowds, special queues and crowded trains. Temple timings and seva charges are set by the temple administration; check on arrival or with the HR&CE department.
Quick answers
Which is the main festival at Tiruvallur temple?
Thai Amavasai, the new moon in the month of Thai (January to February), is linked by the temple’s legend with the sacred tank and draws the largest crowds.
How do I reach Tiruvallur from Chennai by train?
Take a suburban EMU from Chennai Central towards Arakkonam or Tiruttani; Tiruvallur is a major stop on that line.
How tall is the Panchamukha Anjaneya at Tiruvallur?
32 feet, carved from one green granite stone, consecrated on 6 June 2004.
Can I bathe in the temple tank?
The district page says the Hrittapanasini tank is now dry. Ask at the temple before planning a bath.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Lord Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Tiruvallur (Tiruvallur District Administration)
- Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneyaswami Temple, Tiruvallur (Tiruvallur District Administration)
- Tourist Places (Tiruvallur District Administration)
- Trek Tamil Nadu trail list, July 2026 (Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation)
