திருநள்ளாறு தர்ப்பாரண்யேஸ்வரர் (சனீஸ்வரன்) திருக்கோயில்Dharbaranyeswarar Temple, Thirunallar (Saniswaran Temple)

Sthala Mahātmyam

Dharbaranyeswarar Temple at Thirunallar, in the Karaikal district of Puducherry, is a renowned Paadal Petra Sthalam best known as the Saniswaran (Saturn) shrine among the Navagraha temples. Shiva is worshipped as Dharbaranyeswarar — the Lord of the forest of dharba grass — with his consort Bogamartha Poonmulaiyal (Praneswari / Piranambigai). It is one of the Sapta Vidanga Sthalams, where the Vidanga deity is Naga Vidangar, also called Shenbaga Thyagarajar. Here Thyagaraja grants the Unmatta Natanam — the ecstatic, swaying dance of one intoxicated in divine bliss. Legend tells that King Nala, tormented by the malefic gaze of Shani, bathed in the temple's Nala Theertham and was freed of his afflictions, making the site a great centre for propitiating Saturn. The shrine received its Vidanga image within the shared Muchukunda legend of the seven dancing idols centred at Thiruvarur. Devotees throng especially during Shani Peyarchi, when Saturn transits between signs, seeking relief from Sani dosha and the grace of Lord Shiva.