Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple | |
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Location in Tamil Nadu
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Name | |
Other names | Dharbaranyeswarar Temple |
Proper name | Dharbaranyam |
Geography | |
Coordinates | 10°55′32″N 79°47′32″E / 10.92556°N 79.79222°ECoordinates: 10°55′32″N 79°47′32″E / 10.92556°N 79.79222°E |
Country | India |
State | Pondicherry |
District | Karaikkal |
Location | Tirunallar |
Culture | |
Primary deity | Dharbaranyeswarar(Shiva), Shani |
Temple tank | Nala Theertham |
Architecture | |
Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple or Dharbaranyeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Sani(saturn) located in Tirunallar in Karaikal district of Pondicherry, India. The presiding deity is Lord Siva, Dharbaranyeswar and the place Tirunallar was historically called Dharbaranyam. The temple is revered by the hymns of 7th century Tamil saivite poets, Appar, Sundarar and Sambandhar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
The presiding deity is Dharbaranyeswarar(Lord Siva) and is believed to have been made of dharba grass. The worship is also centered around the icon of planet saturn, called Saniswarar, originally treated as the door keeper of the shrine. According to Hinduism, saturn resides in each rasi(zodiac) for two and half years. The tradition is to worship Saniswarar before entering the inner sanctum of Lord Siva.
Sambandar, the 7th century nayanar and Tamil saivite poet has revered the deity with four hymns, in one of which he refers to a contest with Jains, and his victory. Appar and Sundarar, the other Nayanars have glorified the temple with their hymns. Arunagirinathar, a 15th-century poet and staunch devoteet of Lord Muruga has composed hymns on the deity and this temple is attributed to Murugan worship as well.