Tiruttani’s Murugan temple is about 84 km from Chennai and can be reached without a car: suburban electric trains run from Chennai Central, with the first leaving at 4 am and the last at 8.15 pm, according to the Tiruvallur district administration. From the town, devotees either climb 365 steps, one for each day of the year, or take the ghat road that lets vehicles up to the shrine.
Tiruttani is one of the six principal abodes of Murugan, and the only one within easy day-trip range of the city. This guide covers the journey, the climb, the festivals that draw the biggest crowds and how to avoid being caught in them unprepared.
Getting there from Chennai
- Suburban train: Tiruttani is on the Chennai Central to Arakkonam line and beyond. Electric trains run through the day; the district page lists the first from Chennai Central at 4 am and the last at 8.15 pm. Some express trains also stop at Tiruttani.
- Change at Arakkonam: the town is about 13 km from Arakkonam junction, so a train to Arakkonam and a short onward hop is another option if a direct service is not convenient.
- Bus: state transport buses run frequently from Chennai, and also from Vellore, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Arakkonam, Chittoor and Tirupati.
- Car: the ghat road takes vehicles close to the hilltop, which suits elderly visitors.
A practical tip for train users: the same district site notes that EMU services connect Tiruvallur town with Chennai Central, Arakkonam and Tiruttani, so you can combine Tiruttani with the Veeraraghava Perumal temple at Tiruvallur on the way back.
The hill and the shrine
The temple stands on a single rock about 700 feet above sea level. The hill is called Thanigai Malai, and its other name, Shantipuri, means abode of peace. Legend says Murugan came here to rest after defeating the demon Surapadman and married Valli at this spot, which is why the place is linked with calm rather than battle.
According to the ENVIS heritage note on Tiruttani, the sanctum houses Murugan with Valli and Deivayanai and is said to be built with one lakh rudraksha beads. Indra’s elephant Airavatam is shown facing east, and a sandal stone said to be Indra’s gift is used to make a paste regarded as medicinal. The Carnatic composer Muthuswami Dikshitar is said to have composed his first kriti on Murugan after a visit here.
Climbing the 365 steps
- Start early in the day; the steps are open to the sun for much of the way.
- Rest at the landings and carry water. Footwear is left at the base.
- In the monsoon months of October to December, steps can be wet. Take the handrail.
- Those with heart, breathing or knee trouble may prefer the ghat road; ask a doctor if in doubt.
Festivals and crowd days
| Festival | When | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Krittikai | Krittikai star day each month | Large crowds every month |
| Aadi Krittikai | July to August | The main annual festival; heavy rush on trains and the hill |
| Step (Padi) festival | Night of 31 December | Devotees climb at midnight singing hymns and lighting camphor on each step to welcome the New Year |
| Sun worship | Three days in March | Sunlight ritual at the Arumuga Swami shrine |
If you want a quiet visit, avoid Krittikai days and weekends near Aadi. If you want the spectacle, the 31 December step festival is the one most Chennai families talk about; expect special arrangements, crowd control and very full trains that evening.
On the evening of 31 December and on Aadi Krittikai, it is wise to buy return train tickets in advance, carry small change for footwear counters, and agree a meeting point in case your group is separated on the steps.
A simple day plan
- Catch an early electric train from Chennai Central to reach Tiruttani by mid-morning.
- Climb the steps, have darshan, and come down before the afternoon heat.
- Have lunch in town and take a train back, stopping at Tiruvallur for the Veeraraghava Perumal temple if time allows.
Darshan timings, special entry tickets and archanai charges are fixed by the temple administration under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and change on festival days. Check at the temple office or on the HR&CE department’s website before relying on a particular time.
Quick answers
How many steps does Tiruttani temple have?
365, one for each day of the year, according to the Tiruvallur district administration.
How far is Tiruttani from Chennai?
About 84 km. It is around 13 km from Arakkonam.
What time is the last train from Chennai Central to Tiruttani?
The district page lists the last local train at 8.15 pm, with the first at 4 am. Check the current railway timetable before travelling.
Can I drive up to the temple?
Yes. A ghat road gives vehicles access to the hilltop.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
