Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple is also called as the Dharbaranyeswarar Temple, this temple is a famous Hindu temple in Thirunallar, Karaikal, Puducherry. this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Dharbaranyeswarar) and Lord Shani (Saturn). the main one is it is a key Navagraha temple known for relieving Shani Dosha. The temple is built in the 9th century by the Chola dynasty which has a spans 2 acres with a five tiered rajagopuram in the temple. The Shiva Lingam made of Darba grass and the Shani shrine where Shani is depicted with two hands in Abhaya Mudra, are unique features.
The temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM with extended Shani shrine hours on Saturdays (1:00 PM–4:00 PM). Six daily rituals are performed in the temple and the Sani Peyarchi festival is held every 2.5 years this festival is attracting the millions of the devotees and tourists. General darshan is free but special darshan costs Rs. 150 and Abhishekam is Rs. 300 (Sunday–Friday). The temple is 5 km from Karaikal, 135 km from Puducherry Airport, and 10 km from Nagore Railway Station. Devotees bathe in Nala Theertham for blessings, and the temple draws thousands weekly for Shani worship.
The temple is famous for its different rituals and offerings performed for Lord Shani. People from different parts of the country visit the Thirunallar Temple, and it gets super crowded during some occasions. Knowing the darshan timings, the price of Sani Peyarchi and information on joining aarti and puja offerings will help you utilize your visit effectively.
TTD Online Darshan Tickets Booking 2025: Timings & Price
Overview of the Thirunallar Temple:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Karaikal, Tamil Nadu |
| Deity | Lord Shani (Saturn) |
| Main Rituals | Aarti, Puja offerings, Shani Dosha Nivaran Puja, Abhishekam |
| Daily Opening Time | 6:00 AM |
| Morning Aarti Time | 7:30 AM |
| Afternoon Closing | 12:30 PM |
| Reopening Time | 4:00 PM |
| Evening Aarti Time | 7:00 PM |
| Daily Closing Time | 8:30 PM |
| Special Events | Sani Peyarchi, Amavasya, Shani Jayanti, Saturdays |
| Dress Code | Traditional attire for men (dhoti or shirt and pants) and women (saree, salwar kameez) |
| Ticket Booking | Available online or at the temple counter |
| Ticket Prices | Starting from INR 200, varying by puja type |
Sevas and Darshans at Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple (2025)
| Seva/Darshan | Description | Timings | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Darshan | Free darshan of Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Shani at the temple. | 6:00 AM–1:00 PM, 4:00 PM–9:00 PM (Daily); Saturdays: 1:00 PM–4:00 PM extra for Shani shrine | Free |
| Special Darshan (Kattu Darshan) | Faster darshan with priority access to the sanctum. | Same as General Darshan | Rs. 150 |
| Abhishekam | Ritual bathing of Lord Shani or Shiva Lingam with sacred items. | 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM (Daily); Saturday: 7:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 4:30 PM | Rs. 300 (Sun–Fri); Rs. 500 (Sat) |
| Shani Dosha Nivarana Puja | Special puja to mitigate Shani’s malefic effects. | 6:00 AM–12:30 PM, 4:00 PM–8:30 PM (Daily) | Rs. 200–5,000 |
| Navagraha Shanti Homam | Fire ritual for all nine planets. | Saturday: 7:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 4:30 PM | Rs. 2,000–5,000 |
| Nithya Puja (Daily Puja) | Regular worship for Lord Shani, Shiva, and Parvati; six daily rituals. | 6:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM, 8:00 PM | Rs. 100–500 |
| Oil Abhishekam | Offering sesame oil to Lord Shani. | Same as Abhishekam timings | Rs. 200–1,000 |
| Annam (Food Offering) | Donation of food as prasadam for devotees. | During temple hours | Rs. 500–2,000 |
| Sani Peyarchi Darshan | Special darshan during Saturn’s transit (next: Dec 20, 2024, 5:20 PM). | Festival-specific; typically in the evening | Rs. 300–1,000 |
| Archana | Personalized offering with name, star, and gotra. | During temple hours | Rs. 100–300 |
Navagraha Temples and Their Spiritual Significance
The Navagraha temples, a group of nine sacred shrines dedicated to the planetary deities in Hindu astrology, are nestled around Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. Unlike other planetary deities, the Navagrahas in these temples are believed to possess the unique power to grant boons to devotees. Visiting these temples is said to alleviate various afflictions such as Shani Dosha (Saturn’s affliction), delays in marriage, lack of children, and other planetary doshas, bringing peace and prosperity to devotees. Additionally, the Tirunallar Shanishwara Temple, located near Karaikal in Puducherry, holds immense significance for those seeking relief from Saturn-related doshas. This article delves into the history, significance, rituals, and travel logistics for visiting these sacred sites.
Location and Historical Significance
The Tirunallar Shanishwara Temple, located 7 kilometers from Karaikal in Puducherry, is a renowned shrine dedicated to Lord Shani (Saturn). The temple’s name, “Tirunallar,” derives from “Tiru” (respect) and “Nallar” (from “Nala” and “Aru,” meaning liberation), signifying the place where King Nala attained liberation from Shani’s influence. The main deity is Lord Shiva, known as Darbaranyeswara Swami, with a small sub-shrine for Shanishwara on the left.
According to legend, King Nala, afflicted by Shani, prayed to Lord Shiva here. Shani instructed Nala to bathe in the nearby Nala Theertham and have darshan of the self-manifested Shiva Lingam with wet clothes, leading to his liberation.
Rituals at Nala Theertham and the Temple
Nala Theertham, located half a kilometer from the temple, is a sacred pond where devotees must bathe before entering the temple, especially if seeking relief from Shani Dosha. After bathing, devotees visit the temple with wet clothes, have darshan of Darbaranyeswara Swami and Shanishwara, and tie Darbha grass knots to ward off Shani’s effects. They then return to Nala Theertham, bathe again, leave their old clothes, wear new ones, and depart without looking back.
Changing rooms are available at Nala Theertham, and hotels in the area offer rooms for freshening up. Opposite the temple are Brahma Theertham and Saraswati Theertham, though they are only opened on special days. Temple timings are 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
NASA’s Observation of Tirunallar Temple
A fascinating aspect of the Tirunallar Shanishwara Temple is its mention by NASA. During the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) project, NASA and the German space agency launched satellites named Tom and Jerry to measure Earth’s gravitational force.
They observed that when the satellites passed over the temple’s location, their speed slowed by three seconds each time. NASA speculated that this could be due to intense ultraviolet rays in the area, though no definitive proof was found.
Reaching Kumbakonam and the Navagraha Temples
- To visit the Navagraha temples, first reach Chennai, which is accessible by flight or train from various locations.
- From Chennai, Kumbakonam is 282 kilometers away, a 6-hour journey. Trains are available from Chennai to Kumbakonam, or you can book a taxi for Rs. 2300 to Rs. 2500.
- The nearest airports are Chennai and Trichy (94 kilometers from Kumbakonam).
- A one-day bus tour from Kumbakonam covers all nine temples, starting at 5:00 AM and returning by 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
- Tickets for a non-AC bus cost Rs. 750 per head, while a special AC bus (on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays) costs Rs. 1250 per head.
- Alternatively, for a leisurely visit, book a taxi for two days at Rs. 3500 per day (6:00 AM to 6:00 PM or 200 kilometers per day).
Reaching Tirunallar Shanishwara Temple
- Tirunallar is 7 kilometers from Karaikal, 131 kilometers from Puducherry, and 300 kilometers from Chennai.
- There are no direct trains from Telugu states to Karaikal, so travel to Chennai first.
- From Chennai Egmore Station, the daily Karaikal Express departs at 9:00 PM and arrives in Karaikal at 5:00 AM the next day.
- From Karaikal Railway Station, auto-rickshaws charge Rs. 200 to reach the temple.
- it is advised to stay overnight in Tirunallar, have darshan the next day, and return home directly afterward.
- Many devotees freshen up in a hotel for an hour, have darshan, and catch the evening return train to Chennai.
Temple Address
Sri Dharbaranyeswaraswamy Devasthanam
Sri Saneeswara Bhagawan Temple
Thirunallar – P.O. 609 607
Karaikal, Puducherry UT, India (Temple News, Thirunallar Temple Booking)
Contact Details
- Phone (Office): +91-4368-236530
- Fax: +91-4368-236504
- Email: sds.kkl@nic.in (Thirunallar Temple Booking)
