Saneeswaran Temple Thirunallar or Dharbaranyeswarar Temple is one of the Navagraha temples dedicated to Lord Shani (Saturn) in the Karaikal district of Pondicherry, India. In the Saniswaran temple, Lord Shiva is Darbaraneswara while Goddess Parvati is well known as Pranamambika or Bogamartha Poon Mulayal (Poonmulalammal). The temple is one of the “Saptha Vidanga Sthalams” because the idol of Lord Shiva depicts him performing one of Shiva’s seven dances.

Story Behind Saneeswaran Temple

According to the historical background of the Thirunallar temple, the well-known Lord Nala and the Divine Damayanthi fell in love and married. The Devas, on the other hand, wanted to marry Damayanthi, the queen. As a result of this marriage, Devas became angry and jealous of Nala. Devas approached Saneeswaran and asked him to help them.

However, after seeing the couple, he decided to make Devas understand Nala’s genuine love for his sovereign. Saneeswaran caused Lord Nala a lot of trouble, but eventually, the Ruler arrived at Thirunallaru. The King prayed to Lord Dharpaneswara at this temple, who then released him from curses and doshas.

Nala constructed the temple while remaining stationary for some time. following Nala’s return to his kingdom. The word Thirunallar is derived from two words – “Nala” signifies Lord Nala and “Aru” signifies “to heel” and that implies Nala’s place.

History of Saneeswaran Temple

They arrive at the ancient Sri Darbharanyeswara temple in Tirunallar, close to Karaikal, a former French colony, in the Thanjavur District, which is dotted with numerous temples. The saint Tirugnana Sambandar visited this temple in the seventh century A.D. and sang padigams, or decadal verses, in praise of Lord Siva. In a similar vein, in the ninth century A.D., his contemporary Saint Thirunavukkarasu and his successor Saint Sundarar visited the temple and sang paradigms praising the Lord. Saint Arunagirinathar visited the temple in the fifteenth century A.D. and sang hymns that were later included in his monumental work Thiruppugazh.

Architecture of Saneeswaran Temple

The temple has a rectangular layout and a five-tiered rajagopuram. Granite walls surround the gateway tower and all of the shrines. Dharbaranyeswarar, or Lord Shiva, is said to be the presiding deity and dharba grass is said to have been the material of his creation. An elevated platform runs parallel to the main entrance and contains the central shrine.

The lingam, an image of Dharbaranyeswarar that represents Shiva, is housed in the sanctum. The image of Somaskanda is housed in the southern shrine that is parallel to the sanctum shrine. The images of Dakshinamurthy, Durga, and Lingodbhava are housed in niches surrounding the sanctum. The sanctuary of Shani is situated on the northern side of the entry tower.

Shani, an icon of Saturn that was originally regarded as the shrine’s doorkeeper, is also at the centre of the worship. As per Hinduism, Saturn dwells in each rasi(zodiac) for two and a half years. Before going inside Lord Shiva’s inner sanctum, it is customary to offer prayers to Shani. The sanctuary is kept up with and directed by the Branch of Hindu Strict Establishments by the Public authority of Puducherry

Facts about Saneeswaran Temple

• The temple, which houses the image of Shani (Saturn), is one of the nine Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu and is part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage in the state.
• It is believed that praying there will lessen the negative effects of Lord Shani and increase her positive effects.
• For over a thousand years Hindus have visited this temple and have found their misfortunes and bad luck to decrease as this is the only temple in the world where Lord Shani lost his power to Lord Shiva.
• Being one of the nine famous Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu dedicated to Lord Shukra, Kanjanoor Agneeswarar Temple is noted as the Parihara Sthalam for “Shukra Dosha”.
• The temple is also known as the location where Lord Shiva taught Lord Brahma the Vedas and Shastras.
• Every day, hundreds of people come to this temple because the principal deity, Lord Dharbaranyeswara, and his consort, “Bhogamartha Poon Mulayal,” have the ability to bestow blessings on devotees.

Famous Festivals In Saneeswaran Temple

• Sani Peyarchi festival is the most celebrated festival of the Saneeswaran Temple. It is a 2-day long festival conducted every two and half years when Sani [Saturn] changes its Rashi or position
• Soorasamharam celebration: The prevalent view is that Ruler Muruga killed Soorapadman with his ‘Vel’ and this heavenly demonstration is known as Soorasamharam. The divine union of Muruga and Devasena is celebrated the following day, Thirukalyanam.
• Festival of Thiruvathirai: Devotees visit temples early in the morning because it is believed to be a form of worship for Lord Shiva. Unmarried ladies notice a halfway quick on this day to get great spouses and hitched ladies take a quick from the first day (Makayiram Nakshatra) and upon the arrival of Thiruvathira for the prosperity of their significant other and family.
• Adi Pooram celebration: Aadi Pooram, also known as Aandal Jayanti, is a significant Tamil festival. Goddess Andal, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, is the focus of this celebration. The day begins with the construction of enormous rangolis (kolams) in front of the house. On the first day of the month Aadi, Dakshinayana Punyakalam, also known as the Night of the Devas, begins.

How to Reach Saneeswaran Temple

The temple is located in Thirunallar, a village located 5 km (3.1 mi) away from Karaikkal in the Union territory of Puducherry and 95 km (59 mi) from Thanjavur.

By Air: The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli which is 168 Km.

By Rail: The closest station is Karaikkal. The most straightforward course is from Chennai to Thirunallar by means of Tindivanam, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Tranquebar, and Karaikal.

By Road: This temple is 5 KM from the Karaikkal bus stand and 22 KM away from the Nagapattinam bus stand.

Also Read – Naganathar Temple (Rahu Sthalam)