About Saniswarar Temple

Sanjikai was the wife of Suriyan. They had two sons and a daughter. Vaivaswatho Manu, Yaman, and Yamuna. Sanjikai who could not bear the heat for long made a women of her shadow Chayadevi and commented her to be ‘Suriyan’s wife in her place; Suriyan and Chayadevi had two Childs Savarni and Saniswarar.

The nature of Saniswarar is a Tamasic, that is tending towards inertia. Saniswarar is dressed in black. He is narrow chested and a leg is lame. He had a massive lance in one hand and the other hand holds a posture of refuge. He is seated on Lotus seat. He is also to be found seated upon a low shaped seat. He rides a crow, Saniswarar has a Karunkuvalai flower upon him. He is amenable to the yell and vanni (two crops). He stands at the west. Saniswarar is famous for the tale of his maleficent oppression of Nala. There is a saying in Tamil ‘No one gives like Sani or takes like him’. His wife is Jyesta Devi. His son is Kuligan; His other names Kari, Madavan, Manthan and Goonan.

The Propitiation of Saniswara Dosha

The influence of Sani is 19 years. He is the Lord of the constellations of Capricorn and Aquarius. Saniswarar determines the longevity of the individual. Those afraid of death should worship Hanuman and Lord Vishnu. They should wear a blue stone and a dark dress, donate yel, light with gingelly oil, and worship at Thirunallur.

The Temple of Thirunallar

Thirunallar is a small village with beautiful streets. A turn of the road takes one to Nala Theeratham. In a small structure at the middle of the pond are the figurines of king Nala with wife and children. The Navagrahas are constructed here as nine separate wells.

The Temple of Thirunallar is at the centre where four wide streets converge. The temple tower has five tiers. The mandapam is very wide and vast. In the inner walls of the temple, the history of king Nala is painted in color. The Vasantha mandapam is reached on entering the temple. There are lamps all along the way, which are lighted on festivities. The shrine of Saniswarar is to the north of the tower at the entrance. Here emblems of Capricorn and Aquarius are inscribed. The mount of crow is of golden hue.

Inside, the temple are statues of Sundarar and the sixty three saints of Savism. The Linga which king Nala worshipped called Nalesar Lingam also is to be seen. Golden Ganapathy is unique to this temple. The Sivalinga is not made by man but originated by itself. There are also shrines for Lord Murugan, Adhiseshan, Nalanarayanar, Mahalakshmi and Bhairavar. In the Linga at the main sanctum there are scars which signify that the Linga grew up in the forest of Tharupa. There is also a hall inside the sanctum where the dancing Thyagesar, Margatha lingam and other deities are worshipped. The propitiation of different doshas is inscribed on the walls of the temple. The sanctum of divine mother Bhogamartha Poonmulayal is to the side of lord Siva’s sanctum.

Location :About 5 km from Karaikkal. Thirunallar Raliway Station in the Peralam-Karaikal line.

Reigning Deity : Dharubaranyeswarar, Thirunallareeswarar with Pranambikai, Bhogamartha poon mulaiyal.

Temple : The shrine of Saniswara is called Thirunallaru and Dharuparayanam.

Holy Water :Nalatheertham.

Holy Tree : Dharuba Grass.

Devotees :Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Indiran, keepers of the eight directions,Agasthaiar, Pulasthiyar, Arjunan, Nalan.

Poet Saints : Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar have sung hymns.

Features of the Shrine : Thiruvarur, Nagappatinam, Thirumaraikkadu, Thirukkarayil,Thiruvoymoor, Kolini, Thirunallar forms the seven natural temples of Lord Siva.

Hymn

Thou compassionate Lord, you determine the
Life of man, Devas, Sages and celestials!
Saniswara, you who rides a crow should show pity for this poor man!
I pray to thee; I praise thee.