Amongst Lord Murugan's Arupadi veedu , Tirutani or tirutanikai Malai , ranks prominent as the crown jewel of our Lord. As its name indicates , when we propitiate our Lord in this holy shrine, He blesses us with mental peace and bodily happiness. His righteous indignation towards the asuras for their cruelty is said to have been quelled and cooled at this place which is , therefore , know as Shantipuri . As the prayers and desires of the devotees who worship our Lord Tanikesan on this hill with unserving faith and intense devotion are fulfilled in no time, this hill is also called Chanikasalam.
This temple at Tirutani crowns a single rock 700 feet above the sea level. Around this temple are famous religious places such as Kancheepuram on the south , Sholingar and Vallimalai on the west , Tirupathi and Kalahasti on the North and Tiruvengadu with Lord Nataraja on the East.
When our Lord came to this hill after marrying Goddess Valli at Vallimalai, she implored him to enlighten her on the importance and greatness of this hill. In reply, Lord Muruga said that if anyone worships him with heart and soul for five consequtive days , that person would be blessed with all in his life.
Greatness of Tirutani temple :
Lord Rama , after defeating Ravana came to Rameshwaram and worshipped Lord Shiva , On request Lord Rrama came to Tirutani and worshipped Murugan and Got peace of mind. Arjuna got blessings of Lord Muruga here by offering prayers to him on his way to south for Teertha yatra. Lord Vishnu prayed to Muruga here , and got back his powerful Chakra and Shanku , which was forcebly seized from him by Tarakasura . Lord Brahma propitiated Muruga here at the holy spring known as Brahmasanai after his imprisonment by Murugan for his failure to explain the pranava Mantram and got back his creative function of which he was deprived by Murugan due to his egotistic impudence in neglecting to worship Lord subrahmaya on his way to Mount Kailas to worship Lord shiva. Lord Indra Planted and reared in the pool known as Indrasanai adjoining this hill temple the rare palnt known as karunkuvalai , which gave three flowers a day ans worshipped Lord Murugan thrice daily with these flowers and thus got back the precious wealth of Deva Loka which were seized by the asura Titan. The King of snakes Vasuki got his wounds healed , which had been caused during the churning of the Milky ocean to get the Amritha by the devas and asuras . Sage Agastiyar worshipped Murugan and he was blessed with rare divine gift of Tamil Language .
Legends and Mythology :
The temple is a very old one and scriptures can be used to trace the temple's existence to as early as two thousand years ago. The temple is known be several names some of which are Kunruthor Adal, Thanigachalam, Santhipuri and Skandagiri. Lord Subramanya, it is believed, took to Tiruthani as his abode, after vanquishing the demon called Soorapadman at Tiruchendur. The battle called Soora samharam saw the death of the arrogance of the demon who was transformed into a Seval or Cock that became Muruga's Kodi ( or flag) and the also into a Peacock which became the vehicle of the Lord. At Tiruthani, the swamy is known to be in a very tranquil state, especially after marrying Valli.
Mythology has it that Lord Subrahmanya swamy came in various forms 
such as a hunter and a old man to test the perseverance of Valli, a girl from the hunter community who undertook a penance to attain oneness with Lord Thanigesan. Vinayaka, his big brother helped Skanda in his efforts to marry Valli, by donning the form of a mad elephant, which scared Valli who scurried for refuge to the old man, none other than Subramanyar himself.
such as a hunter and a old man to test the perseverance of Valli, a girl from the hunter community who undertook a penance to attain oneness with Lord Thanigesan. Vinayaka, his big brother helped Skanda in his efforts to marry Valli, by donning the form of a mad elephant, which scared Valli who scurried for refuge to the old man, none other than Subramanyar himself. Specialities of Tirutani Malai :
SaravanPoikai :
The Sacred tanks of the shrines are also known as SaravanaPoikai . The tank at tirutani , which is at the foot of the hill , is particularly renowned for it ssacred water having curative effect for ailments , as it is rich in minerals . A bath in this holy tank refreshes the devotee and makes him hale and healthy to propitiate Lord with faith and devotion.
Sapta Rishi Teertham :
At the lovely garden on the south side of this sacred hill , the Seven Rishis are said to have worshipped Lord Muruga and the Sapta Kannikas enshrined at this place in a tiny temple.
On the outskirts of the Tiruttani town, on both sides of the Nandi River, are the ancient temples of Lord Vijayaragama Swami, Arumuga Swami and Veerateeswarar, the latter two of which are more than a thousand years old. In the temple of Arumuga Swami, there is soorya puja every year for three days in March when the rising sun is said to worship Lord Murugan by casting its rays upon the holy Feet of the deity on the first day, Breast on the second day and Head on the third day through a hole in the wall, which reveals the marvellous intellect of the architects of ancient days.
On the outskirts of the Tiruttani town, on both sides of the Nandi River, are the ancient temples of Lord Vijayaragama Swami, Arumuga Swami and Veerateeswarar, the latter two of which are more than a thousand years old. In the temple of Arumuga Swami, there is soorya puja every year for three days in March when the rising sun is said to worship Lord Murugan by casting its rays upon the holy Feet of the deity on the first day, Breast on the second day and Head on the third day through a hole in the wall, which reveals the marvellous intellect of the architects of ancient days.
Festivals :
The two outstanding annual festivals are the Aadi Krittikai and the 31st december New year step festival along with the monthly krittikais.
Aadi krittikais : This festival falls between July and August , which lasts for three days witht he float festivals and devotees come to this holy place , carrying the Flower kavadis .
December 31st Step Festival : On the New year day lakhs of devotees are present here to have the darshan of Lord Murugan. This festival came into vogue during the british rule , when famous Vallimalai Swamnigal persuaded his followers to offer their homage to Lord Murugan first and then to thier official boss. On this day all the devotees sings Tiruppugazh songs and burns camphor on each of the hill 365 steps .
The entire atmosphere is filled with the music of these devotional songs, which is a feast to the eyes and ears. The sight of the Vel Kavadi taken to the shrine by some devotees on this day with the thin, sharp ends pricked and pierced all over the body above the hip (in spite of which they carry it with ease and grace) inspires and elevates our thoughts to adore our Lord for His mighty, marvellous and miraculous powers.
