TIRUNALLAR - DHARBASAYANESWARAR TIRUKKOVIL

The mention of Tirunallaru flashes across our minds the famous shrine of Sani Bhagawan, one of the nine planets ruling over the destinies of mankind. By nature of his office, he is undoubtedly proud and malefic besides responsible to causing untold misery to mankind. He is more feared than revered. Every sinner is mortally afraid of his potent power. This temple for Saturn forms an integral part of Lord Siva's shrine going by the name of Dharbasayaneswarar Tirukkovil. The Siva linga is unusually big and worshipped as Nallaruswamy. Many devotees were lifted by the abundant mercy of this Omnicompassionate Siva. Nala Chakravarti, a renowned emperor was emancipated by this presiding deity, when sought abhayam during the period of his passing endless hardships thrust upon him by Saturn. There is a tank called Nalathirtham, where he obtained redemption.

The formidable Saturn is housed in a niche only in the outer prakara of the Dharbasayaneswarar Tirukkovil, and like the proverbial camel, he pushed out the benefactor. How strange ! Regular pujas are conducted, and the devotees of Saturn out number Lord Siva bhaktas. Who out grown whom, if analysed dispassionately, only Siva gets precedence over Saturn; for, it is on account of His giving refuge alone Saturn's reputation is mounting higher and higher. Both are adorable and heads must be bent before them with equal veneration; for, the director and the directed are discharging their functions for the welfare of humanity. Worship fetches and memory lifts.

It lies in the small town of Tirunallaru, and 5 km off Karaikal, the sea port enjoying all transport facilities.

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