Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 20:30

Established

11

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Rare and majestic standing stone idol of Lord Murugan holding Danda, where Lord Murugan is uniquely worshipped as both Shiva and Subrahmanya combined in a single icon

Religious tradition

Vedic Agamic Kaumara Tradition & Kanda Sashti Kavacham Heritage

Sanskrit name

श्री सुब्रह्मण्यस्वामी मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Siragiri Murugan Temple, Chennimalai Andavar Temple, Kanda Sashti Kavacham Arangetram Temple

Darshan hours

Daily

06:00 AM - 01:00 PM, 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Break timings

01:00 PM - 04:00 PM (Monday to Thursday)

Special days

Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram, Skanda Sashti: 04:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Festival timings

Open continuously till 11:00 PM during Thaipusam and major festival days

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

06:30 AM

Midday aarti

12:00 PM

Evening aarti

06:00 PM

Night aarti

8:15 PM

Special aarti days

Every Kiruthigai, Tuesdays, Sashti, Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram

Ritual schedule

Nitya Arukala Puja, Ksheerabhishekam, Sandal paste Alankara, Kanda Sashti Kavacham recitation, Golden Chariot procession

Pooja timings

06:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Abhishek timings

06:30 AM - 08:30 AM, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

No

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Kongu Chola Kings; expanded by Vijayanagara rulers and local Gounder chieftains

Architect / builder

Traditional Tamil stone sthapathis

Construction materials

Solid dressed dark granite, brick-lime vimana towers, brass flagstaff, 1320 stone steps

Historical events

Saint Devaraya Swamigal was inspired by Lord Murugan here to compose the immortal 300-line protective prayer "Kanda Sashti Kavacham" and sang it for the first time in front of the sanctum

Renovations

Protected and renovated under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department with a well-paved motorable ghat road, solar lighting, and pilgrim queue complexes

Archaeological importance

Epigraphical records mentioning grants by Kongu Chola King Vikrama Chola and medieval land endowments

Legends

A contest arose between Adisesha and Vayu; Vayu blew fiercely, hurling three sacred mountain peaks to South India: one peak became Chennimalai, the second became Sivagiri, and the third became Kodumudi

Inscriptions

Stone inscriptions in Tamil dating from the 12th to 16th century recording grants of village revenues and perpetual ghee lamps

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

12th Century CE with 18th Century CE expansions

Structure

Hilltop stone temple complex reached by 1,320 steps or a 3.5 km ghat road, featuring entrance Rajagopuram, Pinnaakku Siddhar cave, and viewpoint terraces

Floors

1

Gopuram

Stepped Dravidian stone and stucco Rajagopuram adorned with colorful sculptures of Skanda Purana legends

Mandapa

Pillared Mukhamandapa supported by polished granite columns depicting Murugan’s heroic victories and saintly devotees

Sculptural features

Radiant stone idol of Lord Murugan holding staff; separate shrines of Valli-Devasena; cave shrine of Pinnaakku Siddhar; carved stone peacock (Mayil)

Artistic elements

Intricate ceiling medallions, embossed silver altar frames, gold-plated kalashas, and golden chariot

Construction technique

Interlocking monolithic granite block masonry anchored securely on the rocky Western Ghats hill spur

Unique features

The hallowed birthplace of the "Kanda Sashti Kavacham" hymn, and the famous miracle of the twin bulls pulling the temple chariot up the hill

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Thai month Poosam Nakshatram (Thaipusam), Panguni Uthiram

Special celebration days

Every Kiruthigai, Tuesdays, Sashti, Sundays

Cultural events

Kavadi dance processions, classical Carnatic vocal concerts, and Nadaswaram recitals during Thaipusam

Annual events

The monumental Chennimalai Thaipusam Therottam where the chariot is pulled up the hill by twin bulls

Peak crowd season

October to February, every monthly Kiruthigai, and during Thaipusam festival

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

50+ vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Vibhuti/Kumkum.