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The famous shrine of Lord Saniswara (Lord Saturn) or Sanaischara (one
who moves slowly) known as Sri Darbaranyeswarar Temple is located in Tirunallar,
five kilometers from Karaikal district in Puducherry Union Territory.
Also spelled as Darbaraneswarar Temple, it is one of the
most famous Lord Shani Temples though he is not the presiding deity there.
It enshrines Lord Shiva as the main deity. Lord Shiva is known as Darbaranyeswarar
here and Goddess Parvati Devi as Pranamambika. She is worshipped in a
separate shrine near the one dedicated to Saniswara.
There are shrines to Sundarar and to Lord Thyagarja among
many others. Thyagarajar shrine is found at the southern entrance. 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. The
temple is associated with the story of Nala. According to a legend, King
Nala was badly affected with numerous problems. Narada said that this
was ther esult of Lord Sanisvara's displeasure and advised Nala to go
on pilgrimage. He took a holy dip at the temple tank Nala Theertham and
the influence of Lord Sanisvara left him and he was cured. After this
incident, he made great gifts to the temple.
Thousands of devotees from all over the country thronged
the Dharbaneeswarar Temple to worship Lord Saneswarar on the occasion
of 'Sani Peyarchi'. Sanipeyerchi, the transit of Saturn from the Zodiac
of Leo to Virgo, is celebrated once in two and a half years. On this day,
Saneeswarar’s deity is taken in a procession around the town. Devotees
after having a dip at the Nalatheertha had darshan of the presiding deity
during Mahadeeparadhana at the time of the transit.
The temple which stands on the south bank of the Kaveri,
is quite a large one. In its vicinity there are many other celebrated
temples too, the Mariamman, the Pidariar, the Ayyanar.
Thirunallar temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram and
faces east. Around the compound wall are trenches, which have been silted
now. The inner gopuram is known as ‘Kattai Gopuram’ and it is near the
shrine of Saniswara. Inside the shrine, 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.
Aapart from 'Sanipeyarchi', the temple hosts a number
of festivals throughout the year. Among them, the main festival, is held
for 18 days in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. Navaratri, Kartikai Deepam
and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated here with much devotion.
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