Thirunallar is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Shani (Saneeswaran, in Tamil). Whenever (planet) Saturn transits from one zodiac sign to another (an occurrence roughly every 2.5 years), millions throng this shrine for worship. The legendary King Nala is said to have been relieved of his afflictions caused by the malefic influence of Saturn, after worship in this temple. Of the numerous theertams (sacred bathing places), the Nala theertam is the most important one. It is believed that by bathing here, one washes off all kinds of misfortunes and afflictions caused by one's past karmas (in terms of deities, Lord Shani or Saturn is said to be the dispenser of karmas (both good and bad), but also one whose Grace, particularly at this shrine, can dispel bad karmas or, at least, make them bearable).SATURDAY IS THE SPECIAL DAY FOR THIS GOD.
Darbaranyeswarar Temple at Tirunallar is a well known temple featuring the shrines of Shiva and Saneeswarar (Saturn). It is one of the well visited temples in the Tamil speaking region of India. It is situated near Karaikal and it falls under the Pondicheri administration. This temple is known for its shrines to Shiva (Dharbaranyeswarar) and the grand shrine to Saneeswarar and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people when the planet Saturn makes a transit between zodiac signs - an event that happens once in two and a half years.
The Tirunallar temple is a one of a kind temple with a shrine of this grandeur exclusively dedicated to Saturn. The origins of this temple date back to antiquity. The Saivite Saints of the past millennium such as TirugnyanaSambandar. Appar and Sundarar have sung praises of this temple. The architectural features date back to the Chola period and inscriptions dating back to the twelfth century AD are found in the temple.Tirunallar is best accessed, driving from Mayiladuturai or from Nagapattinam.
The presiding deity Shiva is known as Darbaranyeswarar, Adipureeswarar and Naleswarar. There is also a shrine dedicated to Tyagaraja and Tirunallar constitutes one of the seven Vidanga Stalams or shrines hosting Tyagaraja (Somaskanda). A green emerald lingam also adorns this shrine.
Several mythological stories are associated with this temple. It is said that King Nala was under the influence of Sani, i.e. Saturn for an extended period of time in his life and went through several ordeals and obtained total relief only after worshipping Shiva at this shrine. There is another legend of Vishnu having worshipped Shiva in the form of an image of Somaskanda and that he later on parted with it to Indra the king of the Gods. An earthly king in return for his devotion to Shiva was directed by Shiva to obtain this image from Indra. Indra directed this king to construct six other shrines to Somaskanda before giving him the divine image. Accordingly the king, Muchukunda Chakravarti installed Somaskanda images at Tirunallar, Tiruvaimur , Tirumaraikkadu (Vedaranyam), Tirukkolili, Tirukkaravasal and Nagapatnam. The original image was then installed at Tiruvarur. These seven shrines are known collectively as Sapta Vidanga Stlangal.
Religious services are performed five times a day. Other than these, a whole host of festivities are held throughout the year. On Tamil New Year's day, (marked by the transition of the Sun from Pisces to Aries according to the Indian astrological system) Tyagaraja is taken in a procession and oblations are performed to the Emerald Lingam. A grand eighteen day festival is performed in the month of Vaikashi (when the sun resides in the sign of Taurus). The tenth day of this festival, when the moon resides passes through the sign of Scorpio, Saneeswarar (Saturn) is taken in procession. This day is said to mark the day when King Nala was relieved of the influence of Saturn. The month of Aani (Gemini) witnesses festivities related to Nataraja - Shiva - the Lord of Dance. The month of Aadi (Cancer) marks the time for special services to Sundaramoorthy Nayanar - one of the foremost Saivite poet Saints. The full moon night in the month of Purattasi (Leo) witnesses several special services to the Emerald Lingam. This month also is the time for the nine day festival for the Goddess Pranambika (Navaratri). In the month of Aippasi (Libra) is celebrated a festival for Subramanya. During the month of Kartikai (Scorpio), Kartikai Deepam is celebrated, marked by a procession of the five principal temple deities and by the symbolic bonfire. The month of Markali (Saggitarius) is when, a ten day festival dedicated to Natarajar is performed, where verses from Tiruvempavai are recited. There are several other festivals including one on Panguni Uthiram.
Perhaps, the best known festival here is the one marking the transition of Saturn between Zodiac sign. This happens once in two and a half years and is visited by hundreds of thousands of deities. The entire town wears a festive look as the deity Saneeswarar is taken in a procession around town.
Literature:
The Story of the Pachchai Padigam (In the Tamil language, Pachchai = evergreen, Padigam = decadal verse) Thirunallar possesses one of the greatest pieces of Tamil hymnal literature called "Pachchai Padigam". This hymn is written in praise of Lord Darbharanyeswaran. Story has it that in the 7th century C.E. (Common Era), in Madurai, the capital of the Pandian Kingdom, the king.
Legend behind the temple:
Ninraseernedumaran converted to Jainism. During this time, Jainism was spreading in influence in South India. Soon, all but his queen Mangaiyarkarasi and his minister Kulacchirai Nayanar - both staunch Saivaites (worshippers of Lord Shiva) had embraced Jainism, forsaking the old religion. This caused immense agony to the queen and the minister who were anxious to reclaim both king and kingdom back into the fold of the traditional religion (Saivism).
To these two grief stricken individuals came news of the camping of boy saint Thirugnana Sambandar at Vedaranyam. Having heard of the miracles performed by this young Saivite saint in Thanjavur district, they sent an urgent invitation to him to visit Madurai and extricate the king and his subjects from the clutches of Jainism.
The arrival of the Saivate saint irked the Jains, who are said to have then set fire to his holy dwelling. But by his yogic powers, Sambandar had the heat transferred to the king, who consequently suffered in agony. The young saint then sang the Padigam 'Mandiramavadu Neeru' and sprinkled a few grains of holy ash on the right side of the king's body to alleviate the pain. The Jains 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 grains of the sacred ash to the king's left side also and the poor Pandian monarch, who only a little while ago was the very picture of suffering, misery and distress, now smiled gaily and was free of his burns.
But the Jains challenged the Saivites 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 palm leaf onto the fire but it was soon consumed by the flames. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar placed on the flames one leaf containing the 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 the glory of the Thirunallar temple.
Etymology:
The name ThiruNallar(u) is believed to represent the association of King Nala of the Nishadha country who was delivered from the bad effects of Shani (Saturn) by invoking the Lord's mercy here (Nala + Aru = Nallaru). The word "Aru" here denotes "to heal" and the two words taken together means the place where Nala was redeemed from the (malefic) hold of Saturn through the Lord's Grace. Others are inclined to read the meaning 'between rivers' in the name Nal-Aru, as this place is situated amidst rivers Noolaru and Vanchiaru in the north, and Arasalaru in the south.
Temple Pooja Timings:
To Reach Thirunallar:
Karaikal (5 KM)
Nagore (19 KM)
Nagapattinam (23 KM)
Mayiladudhurai(38 KM)
Thiruvarur (40 KM)
