SRI DHARBARANYESWARAR TEMPLE THIRUNALLAR

Temple's Speciality:

English	Hindi
Arabic	Japanese
Bengali	Philipino
Chinese	Portuguese
Dutch	Russian
French	Spanish
German	Tamil

The Lord in this temple is a swayambumurthi tarpparanyesvar. Similar to other Navagraha Sthalams in Tamilnadu, Sri Darbaranyeswarar Temple also enshrines Lord Shiva as the main deity. Lord Shiva is known as Darbaranyeswarar here and Goddess Parvati Devi as Pranamambika or Bogamartha Poonmulaiammaiar.

Address:

Sri Darbaranyeswarar Temple, Thirunallar, Karaikal district. Puducherry 606 –609.

Phone no:+91 4368 - 236 530, 236 504, 94422 36504.

Opening Time:

The temple is open from 5 am until 12 pm, and from 4.30 pm to 9 pm.

Festivals:

Apart from daily worship, services are performed five times daily, Darbaranyeswarar Shani Temple hosts a number of festivals throughout the year. On Tamil New Year's day (Tamil Puthandu), (marked by the transition of the Sun from Pisces to Aries according to the Indian astrological system) Tyagaraja is taken in a procession.

An eighteen day festival is performed in the Tamil month of Vaikashi (when the sun resides in the sign of Taurus). Festivals related to Nataraja (the Lord of Dance) are held during the month of Aani (Gemini). Several special services are performed to the Emerald Lingam on the full moon night in the month of Purattasi (Leo). Besides, Navaratri, Kartikai Deepam and Panguni Uthiram are also celebrated here with much devotion.

Temple History:

Located on the southern banks of river Cauveri, Thirunallar temple has a five–tiered Rajagopuram and faces east. Thyagarajar shrine is found at the southern entrance and in front of it is the emerald 'Nakavidangar,' installed by Musukunda Chakravarthi. Its architectural features date back to the Chola period. Tirunallar is one of the 7 Saptavitanka stalams of Tyagaraja connected with the Mucukunda Chola legend. The place was originally called as Darbaranyam or the place in a forest of Kusa grass (Darbam).

Tirunallar Shani temple is associated to many myths. According to a legend, King Nala was badly affected with numerous problems due to the adverse effects of Saneeswaran. He took a holy dip at the temple tank Nala Theertham and got relieved of the evil effects.

Greatness Of Temple:

The magnificent shrine dedicated to Saneeswarar near the inner tower is known as 'Kattai Gopuram'. He faces east with 'Abhaya Varada Hastham' and is considered the 'Anugraha Murthi' (one who bestows good things). His idol is placed in between the presiding deities.

Shani Bhagavan, one of the 9 Navagraha Planets, is reputed both as a giver and destroyer.Saneeswaran is attired in black colour and the grain associated with him is sesame. He can be offered with the flowers – vanni and blue kuvalai; and rice mixed with sesame powder. Special poojas and abhishekams are performed on Saturdays as Saturday is considered special for Lord Saneeswara.