The navagraha temples in Tamilnadu is spread between Chidambaram and Tanjore You have to travel to each of these temples little inside and you will miss the mid-day as the temples will be closed. You can start going early morning to reach at 6.30 a.m. and break for couple of hours somewhere and proceed to other temples between 4 to 8.00pm. This way even if you go by your vehicle it will take a minimum of 2 to 3 days and in one day it is not at all possible. The details of temples are given below -
Suriyan (Sun) – Wheat – Suryanar Koil
Chandiran (Moon) - Paddy – Thingalur
Chevvai (Mars) - Tuvarai (Toor) - Vaithiswarankoil
Bhudhan (Mercury) - Greengram (Moong) - Tiruvenkadu
Guru (Jupiter) - Chana (Kadalai) - Alankudi
Sukiran (Venus) - White Rajma or Avari kai - Kanjanur
Sani(Saturn) - Black Sesame (Til) - Tirunallar
Rahu – Black gram (Ulundu or Urad) - Thirunageswarm
Kethu – Horse gram (Kollu) - Keezhaperumpallam
Among the nine Navagrahas, Lord Saturn (Sanaischara) occupies a very important place. Lord Shani moves slowly taking about two and half hours from one Rasi to other as per Jyotish Shastra. Lord Sani is described as a judge with powers to punish the people for their sins and give peaceful life for their good causes of their present and past Janmas (births).
Because of the many bad effects of the Lord Shani during bad placements at one's horoscope and transits, people fear about this Navagraha much. Lord Saneeswaran is the son of Lord Surya and Chaaya Devi, the shadow part of Goddess Usha Devi.
This temple is the only temple dedicated to Navagraha Lord Saturn where he is a blessing God having 'Abhayahastham', which means a posture of blessing hand. Thirunallar is a holy and sacred place and has other names such as Adipuri, Darbharanyam, Nagavidanga Puram, Naleswaram...etc.
Whoever visits this temple and prays before Lord Saneeswaran is believed to have been relieved of all the curses and sufferings and get the blessings of Lord Shani one of the nine Navagraha for a happy and prosperous life. This is an ancient Siva temple probably constructed in 7th Century A.D.
Shri Dharbarenyeswarar is the name of Lord Shiva in this temple and is the main deity and Lord Saturn, Sri Pranambigai, Sri Thiagarajar and Sri Vinayagar are other deities. The Saneeswaran temple of Sri Dharbarenyeswaraswamy Devasthanam attracts devotees not only from India but also from other Countries due to its uniqueness and historical and Vedic attributes.
A majority of devotees pilgrimage the temple for relief from the effects Saturn in their life. They take an oil bath in the Nala Theertham, offer prayers to Kalitheertha Vinayakar, break coconuts and worship Bagawan Sani the planet Saturn.
The name 'TIRUNALLARU' is said to represent the association of King Nala of the country called the Nishadha in ancient times. The King Nala got relieved from the evil effects of Shani (Saturn) by invoking the Lord's mercy here. 'Thirunallaru' in Tamil is split as 'Nala' and 'Aru' - 'Nallaru'. The word 'Aru' conveys the meaning 'to heel' and the two words taken together will mean Nala's place where he was relieved or the pace where Nala received Lord's Grace.
In some books the meaning of Thirunallar is described as 'between rivers' in the name Nal-Aru, as this place is situated in the midst of two rivers in the north i.e. Noolaru and Vanchiaru, and one in the south, Arasalaru.
The place was originally a forest of Dharba grass and it is stated that the Lingam even now has impressions left by the Dharba weeds within which it was situated. The Lord here is also known as 'Adhimoorthy or Nallarar'. The great Saivite saint poets Thirugnanasambhandar, Sundaramurthy Swamigal, Thirunavukkarasar and Arunagirinadhar have worshipped at this shrine and sung about the glory of the Lord. 'Pachai Padhigam' sung by the great saint Thirugnanasambhandar is very famous one.
Valli Theyvanai Sametha Subramaniar, Nala Narayanar, Gnapureeswarar, Buvaneswarar, Buvaneswari, Mahalakshmi, Pitchadanar, Goddess Durga, Chandikesar, Kala Bairavar, Natarajar and at the end of the prakaram God Surya shrines are located.
On the west of Kotimaram nandhikeswar statue is there. Opposite to Nandi there is the main God Lord Shiva as Dharbaranyeswarar. On the South exit of the Karbagraham devotees can have dharshan of Sri Thyagar, Neelothpalabal and Jwara Thevar. There is also a shrine for Sree kalahastheeswarar towards west on the north outside prahaaram.
The name of the Goddess in Thirunallar temple is 'Bogamartha Poonmulayal'. The Lord Saturn's shrine is in the north side of the east Gopuram side. There is also a Golden Crow, the vehicle of Saturn in the shrine. It is here that Navagraha Lord Sani was honored by Lord Shiva with Easwara degree.
Thyagaperuman Shrine: The dharshan of the 'Marakatha Lingam' of the Naga Vidtanka Thyagar is very special in this temple. The Thyagarajamurthy in Thirunallar is the second Sapthavidangamurthy. Sapthavidanga Sthalam means the holy place where Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance. The dance of Lord Shiva in Thirunallar is called Unmatha Natanam. He is the gift awarded to Emperor Mushukunda. Nilothpalambikai is the consort of Thyagaraja in the temple. Thiagaraja appears on a silver throne called Velli Vimanam.
Swarna Ganapathy Shrine: When funds crunch stood in the way of the progress of the construction of the temple, the devotees performed pujas and Ganapathy Homa to Swarna (Gold) Ganapathy. Funds began to flow and the temple construction went off smoothly. People started praying to Swarna Ganapathy to overcome financial problems. Maragadha Vidangar idol is kept in a box made of emerald stones.
Sri Nala Narayana perumal Shrine near Thirunallar Shani Temple: There is a small shrine for the Nala Narayana perumal near the Dharbanyewara temple on the north side of this temple. This temple holds the statues of Nala Narayanar with Sree Devi and Boomi devi who give dharshan to devotees facing the east direction. All devotes visiting Thirunallar Shani Temple must visit this temple also. There are other Gods like Nalapura Nayaki, Sri Vijaya Kothanda Ramar, Seetha, Lakshmanan and Sri Anjaneya Swami are also present in this Vaishnava temple.
When the Planet Saturn changes his position between zodiac signs, literally millions throng this shrine for performing rituals and Pujas to Lord Shani. The Moolavar deity Dharbarenyeswarar is Swayambu Lingam meaning created on its own. Poojas are performed at six times (6 kalams) per day by the Brahmin priests.
Poojas like Ashtothra Archana, Abhishegam, Sahasranama Archana and Navagraha Shanthi Homam are performed daily (but Homams are not accepted on Saturdays). Facilities are also available to perform the following poojas on behalf of devotees and to send the prasadam (viboothy and kumkum) by post who wishes to pay a certain fees.
Theerthams of Thirunallar Shani Temple: There 13 Theerthams i.e. holy water bodies near Thirunallar temple as per the Sthalapuranam of the temple. But now only Nakla Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Saraswathi Theertham, Agasthier Theertham, Hamsa Theertham and Anna Theertham are only available for devotees. All others have been destroyed in the past.
Brahma Theertham was made by Braham with his 'Dhandayutham' which is now used for Lord Shiva's Abishekam. It is in the in the east just opposite the shrine. On the south of the temple opposite to Amman Sannathi near the compound wall the Saraswati Theertham is located. The devotees who take holy dip here get Wisdom.
On the northern side of the temple devotees can see the Anna Theertham and Agasthiar Theertham. Of the numerous Theerthams (tanks), the Nala Theertham is the important one. By taking a holy bath here, it is believed that one washes off all kinds of misfortune, afflictions and to escape from the woes of Lord Sani. This is in the North West direction from the temple. There is a small a mandapam in the center of the tank with statues of the King Nala with his wife and children.
There is Nalakoopam in the Kali Theertha Sri Vinayakar shrine which was created by Lord Shiva for the cause of the King Nala with is 'Soolayutham'. Devotees need not even take a holy dip in these Theerthams in this holy place; even if few drops of water from the devotees who took bath in these Theerthams fall on them, they would get relieved of their sins for ever as per the 'Sthala puranam' of the temple.
They prayed to Lord Sani and requested him to give severe punishment to the King Nala. The Navagraha Lord Sani accepted this request because the King was about to get the effects of Sani Dasa in his life. One day before doing his daily puja, Nala did not wash his legs perfectly. Lord Sani immediately caught hold of him after waiting for a chance to hold him for about 12 years.
Due to this effect of Lord Sani; King Nala lost his kingdom in a gamble. His sufferings grew large. He left his land along with his queen Damayanthi. The effects of Sani were such that even he forgot what he was doing. In course of his wandering in the jungles, he parted with his queen also.
A big snake called Karkodaka bit him and he lost his charm and color. His face and physic changed and looked different like a beggar. He then joined as a driver to the King's car 'Ther' in the palace of the King of Ayodhya.
The queen after lot of sufferings found her to her father's house and sent lot of spies and emissaries to get information about the whereabouts of her husband. After long years she found that Nala was working for the King of Ayodhya.
The father decided to find way to bring Nala back to senses. He prepared a Swayamvara for his daughter again. He invited the King of Ayodhya expecting that Nala would come along with the King. As expected after seeing his wife Nala came to his senses and realized who he was. He again became the King of his country, but his absence of mind and the color of his skin did not change which made him very sad.
The great saint Naradha advised him to take a pilgrimage visiting the shrines of Lord Shiva. Through Sage Naradha, Nala understood that he was under the adverse influence of Saturn and began a pilgrimage to holy places. The King visited many temples and performed Pujas. At Viruddhachalam, he met sage Srimadvaja who directed him to Darbaranyeswarar temple in Thirunallar and worship the Sani Bagawan which King Nala meticulously followed.
At last when he took a holy bath in the tank and entered the Thirunallar Shani Temple King Nala got relieved from the adverse effects of Sani Bagawan and also was blessed by him. He stayed there for some time, dug tanks and built the temple. Whoever reads the story of King Nala would get reduced of their troubles and prosper in their life as per the Sthala Puranam of the Thirunallar Shani Temple. The story of King Nala can be seen in a series of paintings in the walls of Thirunallar Shani Temple.
The Story of King of Kalinga Kalinga Raja is also said to have got deliverance here. King of Kalinga performed 'Aswametha Yagam' in a grand manner. At that time he was started to face with the period of 7½ yeas of Lord Sani. After the rituals Bhargava Munivar went to visit the King in his Palace. The King was tired and forgot the saint's arrival and while meeting the Rishi lately he did not heed the sage's words properly.
Saint Bhargava got angry upon the King's obedience and respect and cursed him and his family to become elephants and roam around in the forest. When they were wandering as elephants in the forest Saint Naradha happened to meet them. The king was basically a good hearted man and Sage Narada took pity on him. He asked him to pray to Lord Siva at Thirunallar, which the King followed properly.
The whole family went to the Thirunallar temple performed Pujas to Lord Sani during Masi Maha Festival. After the family took holy bath in the Nala Theertham and prayed the Lord Sani, who removed the effects of the curse.
The Story of the 'Pachchai Padigam': In the 7th century Madurai, the capital of the Pandian Kingdom, was ruled by the king Ninra seernedumaran. The King converted to Jainism, due to some influence of the mantras chanted by the saints of Jainism. During this time, Jainism was spreading in influence in South India.
The King ordered that all his citizens must follow him. But his queen Mangaiyarkarasi and his minister Kulacchirai Nayanar - both staunch Saivaites (worshippers of Lord Shiva) did not wish to forsake their religion. The queen and the minister were very sad and were anxious to reclaim both king and kingdom back into the fold of the traditional religion (Saivism).
The queen happened to know about the great young saint Thirugnana Sambandar and his miracles in Thanjavur district. When the minister heard about the news of the camping of Saint Thirugnana Sambandar at Vedaranyam, they sent an urgent invitation to him to visit Madurai and extricate the king and his subjects from the clutches of Jainism.
The young saint arrived at Madurai on the Queen's request. The arrival of the Saivate saint irked the Jains, who set fire to his holy dwelling. But by his yogic powers, Sambandar had the heat transferred to the king, who consequently suffered in severe stomach pain.
The young saint then sang a hymn called the Padigam 'Mandiramavadu Neeru' and sprinkled holy ash called 'Viboothy' on the right side of the king's body to alleviate the pain. The Jain in turn chanted the Aruga Mantra (Jain Mantra) and stroked the left side of the king's person with peacock feathers, but it only aggravated the pain!
In response to entreaties by the king and his ministers, Sambandar applied a few more of the sacred ash to the king's left side also and the Pandian King now smiled gaily and was free of his burns, who only a little while ago was the very picture of suffering, misery and distress,.
But the Jains challenged the Saint further, asking that the Mantras of both religions be written on palm leaves and consigned to flames to see which one survived the ordeal of fire (thereby showing superiority over the other).
The Jains first placed their great mantras written in palm leaf onto the fire but it was soon consumed by the flames. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar placed on the flames one leaf containing the hymn called forty-ninth Padigam of the Tevaram hymn which was sung at the shrine of Lord Darbharanyeswaran Shiva at Thirunallar.
The leaf remained untouched by the flames and maintained its evergreen freshness, reestablishing Saivism as the true religion in Pandian capital. Hence this real story describes itself the glory of the Thirunallar Lord Sani temple. Hence forth those hymns were called called "Pachchai Padigam". (In the Tamil language, Pachchai = evergreen, Padigam = decadal verse). This hymn is written in praise of Lord Darbharanyeswaran.
Story of Karaikal Ammaiyar Karaikkal Ammaiyar in Tamil language means the mother from Karaikal. Her birth name was Punithavathi, born at Karaikkal, South India, and lived during the 6th century. She is one of the few female devotees of Lord Shiva, amongst the sixty three Nayanmars, who was amongst the greatest figures of early Tamil literature. She was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Punithavathy was born in Karaikkal, a maritime trading city in Chola Nadu. Her father Danathathan, was a famous merchant. From childhood Punithavathy grew up in a religious atmosphere and worshipped Lord Siva sincerely. She enchanted the five letter mantra Ohm! Namasivayaand also attended to the needs of Saiva devotees.
When she grew up as a charming young girl she was wedded to Paramathathan, the son of a rich merchant in Nagapattinam. Even after marriage she continued her chosen religious life. Saiva devotees who visited her home were lavishly fed and were given clothes and jewels according to their needs.
Lord Shiva's miracle A hungry Saiva devotee came to her residence one day. As the food was not ready at that time, she gave the devotee one of the two mangoes that her husband (Paramathathan) had sent home, earlier that day, to be kept for him.
Later, when her husband came home she served him the one of the balance mango that she had. The mango was very delicious and hence her husband requested for the other mango also to be served. Punithavathy was in a dilemma now. She prayed to Lord Siva and astonishingly by God's grace a mango appeared in her palm which she served to her husband.
As this fruit was divinely sweet and was infinitely delicious compared to the previous one, her husband inquired as to how she obtained this mango. When Punithavathy told the truth that she received the second Mango by god's grace, her husband could not believe.
So he asked her to produce another mango with divine help. She again prayed to Lord Siva, obtained another similar mango and gave it to her husband. On receiving the mango, the husband was shocked to find it to disappear, realizing the divine nature of the wife and his arrogance.
Paramathathan shivered in fear understanding now that she is worthy of worship and he is unworthy of her. Hence he deserted her unannounced. Feeling ashamed of himself and fearing about his wife's divine powers he left the house.
Punithavathy becomes Karaikkal Ammaiyar: Punithavathy continued the adorable deeds of serving the devotees. Later she came to know that her husband was living in Pandiya Kingdom after marrying another woman and making a lot of money. The relatives decided to take her to him.
They went to the town where he lived and informed him in advance about their arrival. With the fear of reverence he along with his wife and kid rushed forward to salute her. They three prostrated at the feet of Punithavathiy. She was shocked and moved away.
To the relatives who were shocked by his deed he told that she was not an ordinary human being but divine woman. Then Punithavathiy did penance and prayed Lord Shiva. With the mercy of the Lord Shiva she lost her pretty body and got a skeletal body that is worshipped by the world and Heaven.
The relatives who were present were frightened; they prostrated to Punithavathiy who was named as Karaikkal Ammaiyar and left. She composed great hymn poems on Lord Shiva: the Arpudhath ThiruvanDhathi , the Irattai Mani Malai Andhadhi (100 songs with alternate songs being same type of poem) later.
Karaikkal Ammaiyar reaching Mount Kailash Later with the enthusiasm to see Lord Shiva at the Mount Kailash, where the Lord resides she started her pilgrimage. While the people scared looking at her skeletal form ran away, that great devotee said that if the Lord of lords blesses me why to bother what the people in the darkness of ignorance think of this form. She reached at the surroundings of the holy peak.
Unwilling to put her feet on that abode of the Almighty she climbed with her head. Goddess Parvathi saw with surprise and love her devotional deed and told to the great Lord of great slaves, "What a love it is, of that skeletal body that climbs the holy hill with its head!!"
The Lord said, "She who comes is like the mother in taking care of me. She worshipped and got this form of fame and came to the devotee and said with the lips that originated the holy Vedas, "Ammaiye!" (A word meaning mother, this word is used to refer to women folk in general) for the entire world to get blessed.
Karaikkal Ammaiyar fell down on His blooming feet praising, "Oh Lord! My Father" The Lord asked her what she wanted. She asked for the immortal blissful love for Him that is ultimate for the devotees. She further asked, "Liberate from taking birth again. Even if there is a birth bless me with never forgetting Thee. Also I want to stay under your holy feet when you dance my Lord!"
The Lord gave her the boon she asked and asked her to stay in the bliss by singing Him when He dances in the south town Thiruvalankadu . Taking His order Ammaiyar came to Thiruvalankadu walking with her head.
When she saw the dance of the Lord transcending the Universe, she sang in bliss the Muththa Narpadhikam starting with Kongai Thirangi . The dance of Lord Shiva with the matted hair that is wet with the honey of fresh flowers put her in eternal happiness under His holy feet.
She sang another Thiruppadhikam Etti Ilavammikai and resided in that most safe and superior place forever. Let the immortal blissful love of Karaikkal Ammaiyar stay in the mind.
Offering an iron Pan ('bandly') filled with gingely oil is the best remedy for the devotees to be offered as gift to a Brahmin inside the temple premises is the desired charity to fulfill the Shani pariharam. Archana to Sri Sani Bagawan and lighting gingely oil Dheepam and chanting Sani Moola Manthrams are also considered very effect full pariharams during the bad periods caused by Lord Sani.
Devotees facing evil effects of Saturn must stay for one day and night in the temple vicinity. The most preferable day for visiting this temple is Saturday. Devotees should do rituals to attain total blessing from the Navagraha Lord Sani and lead a peaceful life in the following ways:
• In the morning take a holy bath in the Holy water tank called Shani Theertham. Gingely oil has to be applied on the head before the bath and a piece of cloth like a banian or underwear must be left on the banks of the tank (not inside the water as people do by mistake).
• After getting dressed visit the nearby Kalitheertha Vinayaka shrine and offer prayers and break coconuts after surrounding it over the heads three times.
• Go to the main temple and light lamps with gingely oil (Nallennai) with a bunch of black Til (Ellu) which can be packed in a piece of cloth put in a Akal Vilakku (Lamp made of mud) (you can buy oil and 'ellu' called as sesame seeds or til and cloth and prepare or buy readily available inside the temple).
• Then perform Archanas to Lord Shiva, Ambal and other Gods finally in the shrine of Sri Saneeswaran Bagawan. Chant few mantras and slokas of Lord Sani before his Shrine. Sit peacefully for some time and do meditation praying the Lord to relieve your sins.
• They should offer Ellu Sadam or Rice mixed with sesame seeds (til rice) as nivedhana and distribute to devotees and poor peoples. This food item is a good pariharam for Lord Shani which can be prepared in the house and distributed at the temple. Read here for a simple recipe for preparing Ellu sadam here.
• Pilgrims can further perform Navagraha Shanti Homas (a Pooja to satisfy and calm down the anger of the planets). Devotees can offer money in the hundi in the temple and donate cows to the temple. Devotees can also shave their heads and offer the hair.
• Devotees can offer abishek to Lord Darbaranyeswara with milk, rosewater, tender coconuts, curd, Dil oil, sandal paste, sacred ashes (Vibuthi) and new clothes. Devotees can offer Sari to the Goddess Bogamartha Poonmulayal, light lamps in her shrine and feed the Yatris visiting the temple.
Lord Saneeswaran or Saturn is generally known to affect one adversely on occasions when he occupies certain positions in one’s horoscope. A prayer to him in the Thirunallar Shani Temple, especially on Saturdays, is said to reduce the hardships one will have to face during these periods. Lord Saneeswaran also bestows many benefits to the devotees who pray sincerely to him. He is ruled by Lord Yama
Sri Dharbaranyeswaraswamy Devasthanam,
Sri Saneeswara Baghawan Temple,
Thirunallar - P.O. 609 607,
Karaikal. (Pondicherry UT)
Office: 04368 236530
Residence: 04368 236501
Fax: 04368 236504
Suriyan (Sun) – Wheat – Suryanar Koil
Chandiran (Moon) - Paddy – Thingalur
Chevvai (Mars) - Tuvarai (Toor) - Vaithiswarankoil
Bhudhan (Mercury) - Greengram (Moong) - Tiruvenkadu
Guru (Jupiter) - Chana (Kadalai) - Alankudi
Sukiran (Venus) - White Rajma or Avari kai - Kanjanur
Sani(Saturn) - Black Sesame (Til) - Tirunallar
Rahu – Black gram (Ulundu or Urad) - Thirunageswarm
Kethu – Horse gram (Kollu) - Keezhaperumpallam
Among the nine Navagrahas, Lord Saturn (Sanaischara) occupies a very important place. Lord Shani moves slowly taking about two and half hours from one Rasi to other as per Jyotish Shastra. Lord Sani is described as a judge with powers to punish the people for their sins and give peaceful life for their good causes of their present and past Janmas (births).
Because of the many bad effects of the Lord Shani during bad placements at one's horoscope and transits, people fear about this Navagraha much. Lord Saneeswaran is the son of Lord Surya and Chaaya Devi, the shadow part of Goddess Usha Devi.
This temple is the only temple dedicated to Navagraha Lord Saturn where he is a blessing God having 'Abhayahastham', which means a posture of blessing hand. Thirunallar is a holy and sacred place and has other names such as Adipuri, Darbharanyam, Nagavidanga Puram, Naleswaram...etc.
Whoever visits this temple and prays before Lord Saneeswaran is believed to have been relieved of all the curses and sufferings and get the blessings of Lord Shani one of the nine Navagraha for a happy and prosperous life. This is an ancient Siva temple probably constructed in 7th Century A.D.
Shri Dharbarenyeswarar is the name of Lord Shiva in this temple and is the main deity and Lord Saturn, Sri Pranambigai, Sri Thiagarajar and Sri Vinayagar are other deities. The Saneeswaran temple of Sri Dharbarenyeswaraswamy Devasthanam attracts devotees not only from India but also from other Countries due to its uniqueness and historical and Vedic attributes.
A majority of devotees pilgrimage the temple for relief from the effects Saturn in their life. They take an oil bath in the Nala Theertham, offer prayers to Kalitheertha Vinayakar, break coconuts and worship Bagawan Sani the planet Saturn.
The name 'TIRUNALLARU' is said to represent the association of King Nala of the country called the Nishadha in ancient times. The King Nala got relieved from the evil effects of Shani (Saturn) by invoking the Lord's mercy here. 'Thirunallaru' in Tamil is split as 'Nala' and 'Aru' - 'Nallaru'. The word 'Aru' conveys the meaning 'to heel' and the two words taken together will mean Nala's place where he was relieved or the pace where Nala received Lord's Grace.
In some books the meaning of Thirunallar is described as 'between rivers' in the name Nal-Aru, as this place is situated in the midst of two rivers in the north i.e. Noolaru and Vanchiaru, and one in the south, Arasalaru.
The place was originally a forest of Dharba grass and it is stated that the Lingam even now has impressions left by the Dharba weeds within which it was situated. The Lord here is also known as 'Adhimoorthy or Nallarar'. The great Saivite saint poets Thirugnanasambhandar, Sundaramurthy Swamigal, Thirunavukkarasar and Arunagirinadhar have worshipped at this shrine and sung about the glory of the Lord. 'Pachai Padhigam' sung by the great saint Thirugnanasambhandar is very famous one.
Valli Theyvanai Sametha Subramaniar, Nala Narayanar, Gnapureeswarar, Buvaneswarar, Buvaneswari, Mahalakshmi, Pitchadanar, Goddess Durga, Chandikesar, Kala Bairavar, Natarajar and at the end of the prakaram God Surya shrines are located.
On the west of Kotimaram nandhikeswar statue is there. Opposite to Nandi there is the main God Lord Shiva as Dharbaranyeswarar. On the South exit of the Karbagraham devotees can have dharshan of Sri Thyagar, Neelothpalabal and Jwara Thevar. There is also a shrine for Sree kalahastheeswarar towards west on the north outside prahaaram.
The name of the Goddess in Thirunallar temple is 'Bogamartha Poonmulayal'. The Lord Saturn's shrine is in the north side of the east Gopuram side. There is also a Golden Crow, the vehicle of Saturn in the shrine. It is here that Navagraha Lord Sani was honored by Lord Shiva with Easwara degree.
Thyagaperuman Shrine: The dharshan of the 'Marakatha Lingam' of the Naga Vidtanka Thyagar is very special in this temple. The Thyagarajamurthy in Thirunallar is the second Sapthavidangamurthy. Sapthavidanga Sthalam means the holy place where Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance. The dance of Lord Shiva in Thirunallar is called Unmatha Natanam. He is the gift awarded to Emperor Mushukunda. Nilothpalambikai is the consort of Thyagaraja in the temple. Thiagaraja appears on a silver throne called Velli Vimanam.
Swarna Ganapathy Shrine: When funds crunch stood in the way of the progress of the construction of the temple, the devotees performed pujas and Ganapathy Homa to Swarna (Gold) Ganapathy. Funds began to flow and the temple construction went off smoothly. People started praying to Swarna Ganapathy to overcome financial problems. Maragadha Vidangar idol is kept in a box made of emerald stones.
Sri Nala Narayana perumal Shrine near Thirunallar Shani Temple: There is a small shrine for the Nala Narayana perumal near the Dharbanyewara temple on the north side of this temple. This temple holds the statues of Nala Narayanar with Sree Devi and Boomi devi who give dharshan to devotees facing the east direction. All devotes visiting Thirunallar Shani Temple must visit this temple also. There are other Gods like Nalapura Nayaki, Sri Vijaya Kothanda Ramar, Seetha, Lakshmanan and Sri Anjaneya Swami are also present in this Vaishnava temple.
When the Planet Saturn changes his position between zodiac signs, literally millions throng this shrine for performing rituals and Pujas to Lord Shani. The Moolavar deity Dharbarenyeswarar is Swayambu Lingam meaning created on its own. Poojas are performed at six times (6 kalams) per day by the Brahmin priests.
Poojas like Ashtothra Archana, Abhishegam, Sahasranama Archana and Navagraha Shanthi Homam are performed daily (but Homams are not accepted on Saturdays). Facilities are also available to perform the following poojas on behalf of devotees and to send the prasadam (viboothy and kumkum) by post who wishes to pay a certain fees.
Theerthams of Thirunallar Shani Temple: There 13 Theerthams i.e. holy water bodies near Thirunallar temple as per the Sthalapuranam of the temple. But now only Nakla Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Saraswathi Theertham, Agasthier Theertham, Hamsa Theertham and Anna Theertham are only available for devotees. All others have been destroyed in the past.
Brahma Theertham was made by Braham with his 'Dhandayutham' which is now used for Lord Shiva's Abishekam. It is in the in the east just opposite the shrine. On the south of the temple opposite to Amman Sannathi near the compound wall the Saraswati Theertham is located. The devotees who take holy dip here get Wisdom.
On the northern side of the temple devotees can see the Anna Theertham and Agasthiar Theertham. Of the numerous Theerthams (tanks), the Nala Theertham is the important one. By taking a holy bath here, it is believed that one washes off all kinds of misfortune, afflictions and to escape from the woes of Lord Sani. This is in the North West direction from the temple. There is a small a mandapam in the center of the tank with statues of the King Nala with his wife and children.
There is Nalakoopam in the Kali Theertha Sri Vinayakar shrine which was created by Lord Shiva for the cause of the King Nala with is 'Soolayutham'. Devotees need not even take a holy dip in these Theerthams in this holy place; even if few drops of water from the devotees who took bath in these Theerthams fall on them, they would get relieved of their sins for ever as per the 'Sthala puranam' of the temple.
History & Legends:
King Nala was ruling Nidadha having Mavindha as his capital. He was great King ruling vast area of the present Indian nation. In a Swayamvara function he married a princess of the nearby country 'Vitharpa' named as 'Damayanthi'. The Devas who attended that function were angry and jealous on the King as they couldn't marry the Princess.They prayed to Lord Sani and requested him to give severe punishment to the King Nala. The Navagraha Lord Sani accepted this request because the King was about to get the effects of Sani Dasa in his life. One day before doing his daily puja, Nala did not wash his legs perfectly. Lord Sani immediately caught hold of him after waiting for a chance to hold him for about 12 years.
Due to this effect of Lord Sani; King Nala lost his kingdom in a gamble. His sufferings grew large. He left his land along with his queen Damayanthi. The effects of Sani were such that even he forgot what he was doing. In course of his wandering in the jungles, he parted with his queen also.
A big snake called Karkodaka bit him and he lost his charm and color. His face and physic changed and looked different like a beggar. He then joined as a driver to the King's car 'Ther' in the palace of the King of Ayodhya.
The queen after lot of sufferings found her to her father's house and sent lot of spies and emissaries to get information about the whereabouts of her husband. After long years she found that Nala was working for the King of Ayodhya.
The father decided to find way to bring Nala back to senses. He prepared a Swayamvara for his daughter again. He invited the King of Ayodhya expecting that Nala would come along with the King. As expected after seeing his wife Nala came to his senses and realized who he was. He again became the King of his country, but his absence of mind and the color of his skin did not change which made him very sad.
The great saint Naradha advised him to take a pilgrimage visiting the shrines of Lord Shiva. Through Sage Naradha, Nala understood that he was under the adverse influence of Saturn and began a pilgrimage to holy places. The King visited many temples and performed Pujas. At Viruddhachalam, he met sage Srimadvaja who directed him to Darbaranyeswarar temple in Thirunallar and worship the Sani Bagawan which King Nala meticulously followed.
At last when he took a holy bath in the tank and entered the Thirunallar Shani Temple King Nala got relieved from the adverse effects of Sani Bagawan and also was blessed by him. He stayed there for some time, dug tanks and built the temple. Whoever reads the story of King Nala would get reduced of their troubles and prosper in their life as per the Sthala Puranam of the Thirunallar Shani Temple. The story of King Nala can be seen in a series of paintings in the walls of Thirunallar Shani Temple.
The Story of King of Kalinga Kalinga Raja is also said to have got deliverance here. King of Kalinga performed 'Aswametha Yagam' in a grand manner. At that time he was started to face with the period of 7½ yeas of Lord Sani. After the rituals Bhargava Munivar went to visit the King in his Palace. The King was tired and forgot the saint's arrival and while meeting the Rishi lately he did not heed the sage's words properly.
Saint Bhargava got angry upon the King's obedience and respect and cursed him and his family to become elephants and roam around in the forest. When they were wandering as elephants in the forest Saint Naradha happened to meet them. The king was basically a good hearted man and Sage Narada took pity on him. He asked him to pray to Lord Siva at Thirunallar, which the King followed properly.
The whole family went to the Thirunallar temple performed Pujas to Lord Sani during Masi Maha Festival. After the family took holy bath in the Nala Theertham and prayed the Lord Sani, who removed the effects of the curse.
The Story of the 'Pachchai Padigam': In the 7th century Madurai, the capital of the Pandian Kingdom, was ruled by the king Ninra seernedumaran. The King converted to Jainism, due to some influence of the mantras chanted by the saints of Jainism. During this time, Jainism was spreading in influence in South India.
The King ordered that all his citizens must follow him. But his queen Mangaiyarkarasi and his minister Kulacchirai Nayanar - both staunch Saivaites (worshippers of Lord Shiva) did not wish to forsake their religion. The queen and the minister were very sad and were anxious to reclaim both king and kingdom back into the fold of the traditional religion (Saivism).
The queen happened to know about the great young saint Thirugnana Sambandar and his miracles in Thanjavur district. When the minister heard about the news of the camping of Saint Thirugnana Sambandar at Vedaranyam, they sent an urgent invitation to him to visit Madurai and extricate the king and his subjects from the clutches of Jainism.
The young saint arrived at Madurai on the Queen's request. The arrival of the Saivate saint irked the Jains, who set fire to his holy dwelling. But by his yogic powers, Sambandar had the heat transferred to the king, who consequently suffered in severe stomach pain.
The young saint then sang a hymn called the Padigam 'Mandiramavadu Neeru' and sprinkled holy ash called 'Viboothy' on the right side of the king's body to alleviate the pain. The Jain in turn chanted the Aruga Mantra (Jain Mantra) and stroked the left side of the king's person with peacock feathers, but it only aggravated the pain!
In response to entreaties by the king and his ministers, Sambandar applied a few more of the sacred ash to the king's left side also and the Pandian King now smiled gaily and was free of his burns, who only a little while ago was the very picture of suffering, misery and distress,.
But the Jains challenged the Saint further, asking that the Mantras of both religions be written on palm leaves and consigned to flames to see which one survived the ordeal of fire (thereby showing superiority over the other).
The Jains first placed their great mantras written in palm leaf onto the fire but it was soon consumed by the flames. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar placed on the flames one leaf containing the hymn called forty-ninth Padigam of the Tevaram hymn which was sung at the shrine of Lord Darbharanyeswaran Shiva at Thirunallar.
The leaf remained untouched by the flames and maintained its evergreen freshness, reestablishing Saivism as the true religion in Pandian capital. Hence this real story describes itself the glory of the Thirunallar Lord Sani temple. Hence forth those hymns were called called "Pachchai Padigam". (In the Tamil language, Pachchai = evergreen, Padigam = decadal verse). This hymn is written in praise of Lord Darbharanyeswaran.
Story of Karaikal Ammaiyar Karaikkal Ammaiyar in Tamil language means the mother from Karaikal. Her birth name was Punithavathi, born at Karaikkal, South India, and lived during the 6th century. She is one of the few female devotees of Lord Shiva, amongst the sixty three Nayanmars, who was amongst the greatest figures of early Tamil literature. She was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Punithavathy was born in Karaikkal, a maritime trading city in Chola Nadu. Her father Danathathan, was a famous merchant. From childhood Punithavathy grew up in a religious atmosphere and worshipped Lord Siva sincerely. She enchanted the five letter mantra Ohm! Namasivayaand also attended to the needs of Saiva devotees.
When she grew up as a charming young girl she was wedded to Paramathathan, the son of a rich merchant in Nagapattinam. Even after marriage she continued her chosen religious life. Saiva devotees who visited her home were lavishly fed and were given clothes and jewels according to their needs.
Lord Shiva's miracle A hungry Saiva devotee came to her residence one day. As the food was not ready at that time, she gave the devotee one of the two mangoes that her husband (Paramathathan) had sent home, earlier that day, to be kept for him.
Later, when her husband came home she served him the one of the balance mango that she had. The mango was very delicious and hence her husband requested for the other mango also to be served. Punithavathy was in a dilemma now. She prayed to Lord Siva and astonishingly by God's grace a mango appeared in her palm which she served to her husband.
As this fruit was divinely sweet and was infinitely delicious compared to the previous one, her husband inquired as to how she obtained this mango. When Punithavathy told the truth that she received the second Mango by god's grace, her husband could not believe.
So he asked her to produce another mango with divine help. She again prayed to Lord Siva, obtained another similar mango and gave it to her husband. On receiving the mango, the husband was shocked to find it to disappear, realizing the divine nature of the wife and his arrogance.
Paramathathan shivered in fear understanding now that she is worthy of worship and he is unworthy of her. Hence he deserted her unannounced. Feeling ashamed of himself and fearing about his wife's divine powers he left the house.
Punithavathy becomes Karaikkal Ammaiyar: Punithavathy continued the adorable deeds of serving the devotees. Later she came to know that her husband was living in Pandiya Kingdom after marrying another woman and making a lot of money. The relatives decided to take her to him.
They went to the town where he lived and informed him in advance about their arrival. With the fear of reverence he along with his wife and kid rushed forward to salute her. They three prostrated at the feet of Punithavathiy. She was shocked and moved away.
To the relatives who were shocked by his deed he told that she was not an ordinary human being but divine woman. Then Punithavathiy did penance and prayed Lord Shiva. With the mercy of the Lord Shiva she lost her pretty body and got a skeletal body that is worshipped by the world and Heaven.
The relatives who were present were frightened; they prostrated to Punithavathiy who was named as Karaikkal Ammaiyar and left. She composed great hymn poems on Lord Shiva: the Arpudhath ThiruvanDhathi , the Irattai Mani Malai Andhadhi (100 songs with alternate songs being same type of poem) later.
Karaikkal Ammaiyar reaching Mount Kailash Later with the enthusiasm to see Lord Shiva at the Mount Kailash, where the Lord resides she started her pilgrimage. While the people scared looking at her skeletal form ran away, that great devotee said that if the Lord of lords blesses me why to bother what the people in the darkness of ignorance think of this form. She reached at the surroundings of the holy peak.
Unwilling to put her feet on that abode of the Almighty she climbed with her head. Goddess Parvathi saw with surprise and love her devotional deed and told to the great Lord of great slaves, "What a love it is, of that skeletal body that climbs the holy hill with its head!!"
The Lord said, "She who comes is like the mother in taking care of me. She worshipped and got this form of fame and came to the devotee and said with the lips that originated the holy Vedas, "Ammaiye!" (A word meaning mother, this word is used to refer to women folk in general) for the entire world to get blessed.
Karaikkal Ammaiyar fell down on His blooming feet praising, "Oh Lord! My Father" The Lord asked her what she wanted. She asked for the immortal blissful love for Him that is ultimate for the devotees. She further asked, "Liberate from taking birth again. Even if there is a birth bless me with never forgetting Thee. Also I want to stay under your holy feet when you dance my Lord!"
The Lord gave her the boon she asked and asked her to stay in the bliss by singing Him when He dances in the south town Thiruvalankadu . Taking His order Ammaiyar came to Thiruvalankadu walking with her head.
When she saw the dance of the Lord transcending the Universe, she sang in bliss the Muththa Narpadhikam starting with Kongai Thirangi . The dance of Lord Shiva with the matted hair that is wet with the honey of fresh flowers put her in eternal happiness under His holy feet.
She sang another Thiruppadhikam Etti Ilavammikai and resided in that most safe and superior place forever. Let the immortal blissful love of Karaikkal Ammaiyar stay in the mind.
How to offer Prayers:
Saneeswaran Bahaman is attired in black colour the grain associated with him is sesame seeds , the flower - vanni and blue kuvalai ; fabric - black cloth; gem - neelam (blue sapphire); food - rice mixed with sesame powder are offered during pooja.Offering an iron Pan ('bandly') filled with gingely oil is the best remedy for the devotees to be offered as gift to a Brahmin inside the temple premises is the desired charity to fulfill the Shani pariharam. Archana to Sri Sani Bagawan and lighting gingely oil Dheepam and chanting Sani Moola Manthrams are also considered very effect full pariharams during the bad periods caused by Lord Sani.
Devotees facing evil effects of Saturn must stay for one day and night in the temple vicinity. The most preferable day for visiting this temple is Saturday. Devotees should do rituals to attain total blessing from the Navagraha Lord Sani and lead a peaceful life in the following ways:
• In the morning take a holy bath in the Holy water tank called Shani Theertham. Gingely oil has to be applied on the head before the bath and a piece of cloth like a banian or underwear must be left on the banks of the tank (not inside the water as people do by mistake).
• After getting dressed visit the nearby Kalitheertha Vinayaka shrine and offer prayers and break coconuts after surrounding it over the heads three times.
• Go to the main temple and light lamps with gingely oil (Nallennai) with a bunch of black Til (Ellu) which can be packed in a piece of cloth put in a Akal Vilakku (Lamp made of mud) (you can buy oil and 'ellu' called as sesame seeds or til and cloth and prepare or buy readily available inside the temple).
• Then perform Archanas to Lord Shiva, Ambal and other Gods finally in the shrine of Sri Saneeswaran Bagawan. Chant few mantras and slokas of Lord Sani before his Shrine. Sit peacefully for some time and do meditation praying the Lord to relieve your sins.
• They should offer Ellu Sadam or Rice mixed with sesame seeds (til rice) as nivedhana and distribute to devotees and poor peoples. This food item is a good pariharam for Lord Shani which can be prepared in the house and distributed at the temple. Read here for a simple recipe for preparing Ellu sadam here.
• Pilgrims can further perform Navagraha Shanti Homas (a Pooja to satisfy and calm down the anger of the planets). Devotees can offer money in the hundi in the temple and donate cows to the temple. Devotees can also shave their heads and offer the hair.
• Devotees can offer abishek to Lord Darbaranyeswara with milk, rosewater, tender coconuts, curd, Dil oil, sandal paste, sacred ashes (Vibuthi) and new clothes. Devotees can offer Sari to the Goddess Bogamartha Poonmulayal, light lamps in her shrine and feed the Yatris visiting the temple.
Lord Saneeswaran or Saturn is generally known to affect one adversely on occasions when he occupies certain positions in one’s horoscope. A prayer to him in the Thirunallar Shani Temple, especially on Saturdays, is said to reduce the hardships one will have to face during these periods. Lord Saneeswaran also bestows many benefits to the devotees who pray sincerely to him. He is ruled by Lord Yama
Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 06:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 09:00 PM.Location:
Thirunallar Shani Temple in Karaikal is located in a small town called Thirunallar is 5 K.M. west of Karaikal city, a part of Union Territory Pondicherry, in the bus route of Karaikal-Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam.Temple Address & Contact Info:
The Executive Officer (Temples),Sri Dharbaranyeswaraswamy Devasthanam,
Sri Saneeswara Baghawan Temple,
Thirunallar - P.O. 609 607,
Karaikal. (Pondicherry UT)
Office: 04368 236530
Residence: 04368 236501
Fax: 04368 236504
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