Sri Dharbaranyeswarar Temple (Sani)

Main Deity : Thiru Nallarar
Goddess : Bogamartha Poonmulayal
Holy Tree : Darbai
Holy Water : Nala Theertham
Color : Black/Blue
Gem Stone : Blue Sapphire
Season : All Seasons
Auspisious Day : Saturday
How to Reach : 20 kms from Kumbakonam
General Information
This is an ancient Siva Temple probably constructed in seventh century A.D. Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, as Saturn is considered to be also graceful to his devotees, the temple is also famous for Sani worship. The Saturn shrine is in the north side of east Gopura side.
Dharbaranyeswarar is the main deity of the temple and Lord Saturn, Sri Pranambigai, Sri Thiyagarajar and Sri Vinayagar are the other deities. The Saneeswara temple of Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Devasthanam attracts devotees not only from India but also from other countries. This temple is unique in its kind and is the only temple dedicated to Lord Sani Bagavan where he is a blessing God having “Abhayahastham”.
History
King Nala was ruling Nidadha having Mavindha as his capital. in some unspecified time in the future whereas doing his daily puja, he failed to wash his legs perfectly. Saturn immediately caught hold of him once looking ahead to an opportunity to carry him for concerning twelve years. as a result of this result, King Nala lost his kingdom in a very game conjointly his sufferings grew giant. He left his land along side his queen Damayanthi. In course of his wandering within the jungles, he parted along with his queen conjointly. He joined as a cook within the palace of the sort of Ayodhya. soon Nala and Damayanthi joined once more. Through Sage Naradha, Nala beneathstood that he was under the adverse influence of Saturn and started a pilgrimage to holy places. At Virudhachalam, he met sage Srimadvaja who directed him to Darbaranyeswarar temple in Thirunallar and worship the Sani Baghwan that King Nala meticulously followed and got relieved from the adverse effects of Sani Baghwan and conjointly was blessed by him. He stayed there for a few time, dug tanks and designed the temple. He conjointly happened his kingdom. As per the history of the temple, the good King Nala of puranic fame was relieved of the affliction of Lord Saturn or Lord Saniswaran is believed to possess been relieved of all the curses and sufferings and got the grace of Lord for a cheerful and prosperous life.
Specialities
Among the Navagrahas, Lord Saneeswarar occupies an important place. A malfic Saturn in one’s horoscope is believed to cause miseries and hardships which could be mitigated by worshipping him. in line with astronlogy, Sani Bagavan moves from one sign to consequent sign (house) at intervals the Zodiac once in a pair of and halfe years and so the day of his transit is observed as a Sani Peyarchi competition in Thirunallar. On the day previous to the day of transit, spiritual discourses and entertainments are organized. On the competition day Thevaram songs are chanted. there is conjointly a Golden Crow, the vehicle of Saturn at intervals the shrine.
Nallarar is additionally said as Darbaranyeswarar and Nallatru Easar. as a result of the swayambu was at intervals the Darba jungles here, scars caused by Darba may be seen even currently. The Pachai Pathigam in Thevaram is dedicated to the Lord.
The Thyagarajamurthy in Thirunallar is that the second Sapthavidangamurthy. Sapthavidanga Sthalam implies that the holy place where Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance. The dance in Thirunallar is termed Unmatha Natanam. he is the gift awarded to Emperor Mushukunda. Nilothpalambikai is that the consort of Thyagaraja at intervals the temple.
Festivals
The eighteen day Brammotsavam beginning on the Uthiratadhi star day inside the Tamil month Vaikasi (May-June) could be a important competition. On the last day, there will be a programme referred to as the Lord gracing a darshan to a shepherded. The Poornima competition inside the Purattasi (September-October), each friday, Pradosha days are really devotionally observed. The Tamil and English new year days, Karthikai Dheepam, Deepavali, Pongal are the days when special pujas are performed inside the temple.
Samanya Matra : Om Shum Shukraya Namah.
Beej Mantra : Om dram drim dromam Sah Shukraya Namah.
Puranic Mantra : Himkundmrunalabham Dayetyanamam Param Gurum Sarvshastra Pravaktaram Bhargevam Pranmamyaham
Vedic Mantra : Om Annataparirtrutorasam bramana vyapibat Kshtram Payah Somam Prajapatih. Hriten Satyaminidranyam vipan Shukramandhas Indrasyenidramidam payomrutam madhu.