Dharbharanyeswaraswamy or Dharbaranyeswarar temple at
Thirunallar is dedicated to Saneeswaran or Saturn. Thirunallar in Karaikal,
in the Union Territory of Pondichery, is one of the more famous and important
navagraha temples. It is at a distance of 6 Kms from Karaikal town. This is
one of the parivara sthalams
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Though Saneeswaran here is very famous, the presiding
deity is Dharbaranyeswarar. His Consort is Bogamartha Poon Mulayal or
Praanaambikai. The lingam here is a self- manifested Lingam or Swayambhu. The
Sthala vruksham is Dharba or grass.
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This place was a forest of Dharba. Dharba is a type of
grass and aranyam means forest and hence the name Dharbaranyeswaraswamy or
Dharbaranyeswarar for the Lord. Even today you can see the impression of
grass on the lingam here. Thirunallar is one of the “Saptha Vidanga Sthalam”.
The idols in these temples depict Lord Shiva performing one of His seven
dance forms. It is believed that Lord Shiva imparted the knowledge of the
Vedas and Shastras to Brahma here. People pray to Swarna Ganapathy here to
overcome financial problems.
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Lord Surya was married to Usha or Light. Usha Devi was
unable to bear the heat radiated from Surya and left her shadow or Chaya with
Suryan while she herself stayed away. Saneeswaran is the son of Chaya Devi
and Suryan. The very sigh tof Saneeswaran is dreaded and believed to be
destructive. Suryan’s chariot is believed to have been destroyed when
Saneeswaran as a baby first opened his eyes and looked at Suryan. Saneeswaran
after intense penance on Lord Shiva attained the status of a celestial
planet.
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Pooja
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Those visiting Thirunallar should first have an oil bath
in the Nala theertham. Some believe that you should leave behind a piece of
your cloth near the tank. There are lots of shops around the tank, selling
black towels, sachet of gingely oil etc. The tank is usually clean but on
occasions you may not want to get into the water. After the bath worship the
Vinayakar in the small temple nearby, break a coconut there and then proceed
towards the Dharbaranyeswarar temple which is about 5 minute walk from there.
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Devotees offer Blue cloth and light Gingely oil lamp.
Special Poojas are performed on Saturdays as Saturday is the day of
Saneeswaran.
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Recite these mantras facing west to get relief from
malefic influence and get His blessings.
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Saneeswara Moola Mantra: Aum pram prim praum sah
shanaisharaya namah.
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Saneeswara Gayathri: Pangupadhaya vidmahe Surya putraaya
dheemahi, thanno Mandha prachodayath
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Temple timings: 6 AM and 1 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM. Since
Saturdays are the special days for Saneeswaran, the Saneeswaran sannidhi is
open even between 1 PM and 4PM.
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