Thirunallar-The Shani Temple (Navagrahasthalam)

Faith Mysticism

oi-Staff

By Staff

Thursday, April 22, 2010, 14:29

The very mention of the place 'Thirunallaru' brings about the thought of Shani Bhagavan (the planet Saturn) in an instant. The disciplinarian of the Navagrahas, Lord Shani graces all those afflicted who throng at His feet in Thirunallaru. The very mention of the word 'Shani' brings about a reverential fear in oneself. However here, His form in Thirunallaru features, Abhaya Varadha hastam, or His hand bestowing blessings. The temple of Thirunallaru thronged by thousands has been associated with Lord Shani as His abode rather than even the presiding deity, Lord Shiva, otherwise called Dharbarenyeswaraswamy.

Legend

The main deity or Moolavar, Lord Dharbarenyeswara is a Swayambu Linga (come on its own). Originally the place was a forest with a flourishing growth of Dharba grass or Kusa grass. The impression of the grass on the body of the Lingam still stands as a testimonial fact to the truth. The Lord is also worshipped as Adhimoorthy or Nalarar. Mother Parvati is worshipped as Pranamambika in Sanskrit and Bogamartha Poonmulai-ammai in Tamil.

The most ancient legend has Lord Brahma and other sages who worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva appeared before them and taught the Vedas, after which He assumed the shape of a Lingam. Brahma then had the divine sculptor to construct a temple which was called 'Adhipuri'.

Thirunallaru is also the place where Sambandhar's hymns on Dharbarenyeswara was thrown into the fire and was revived without even a slightest burn during a religious duel that took place between the Jains in Madhurai and Sambandhar. Hence the place also came to be known as 'Pachai Padhigam Petra Thalam" Sundarar and Appar have also sung the praise of the Lord here.

The most famous legend of the temple has King Nala, afflicted by Shani who went through untold miseries. He lost his kingdom, and was separated from his wife and children and Shani's impact took a toll on his appearance as well when he was bitten by the snake Karakodagan. It was pity that being a king himself, he assumed the role of a charioteer for King Irudhupannan. However he was recoganised by his wife Dhamayanti in the Swayamvaram ( the ceremony of choosing a groom ) arranged by her father in order to track Nala. Nala regained his old form and was reunited with his family. Despite the reunion, Nala bore the torment of a troubled mind and hence sought the guidance of Sage Bharadwaja who directed him to worship Lord Dharbarenyeswara in Thirunallaru. As per the guidance of the sage, Nala dipped himself in the Brahma theertham of the temple and entered the sanctom sanctorum to offer his worship to Lord Shiva. It was then that Lord Shani let go off him.

As per another legend associated with the temple, a shepard who was tended the cattle belonging to the temple was once accused of not handing over the milk to the official of the temple. The official took the issue to the king who ordered to take action against the innocent Shepard. The shepard prayed to Lord Dharbarenyeswara who furiously threw His trident towards the official which severed his head. The place where the severed head fell is called Mandaikulam. Further due to the beseech of the shepard, the dead official was revived. A shrine where the idols of the shepard, his wife and the official stand as a testimony to the event. The balipeedam and the Lord's vehicle, Nandi are found to be placed a little away, so as to not to block the trident in hitting its target.

Read about Shani Bhagavan on the Next Page