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Pondicherry is famous for its various religious sites catering to every major
religion of India. When any tourist goes for sightseeing in Pondicherry then,
the temple that becomes must visit tourist attraction is the Thirunallar Temple
in Pondicherry which lies 5 kilometer west of Karaikal and you have take the
buses of the route Karaikal-Mayiladuthuraj and Kumbakonam, This famous Siva
temple is a very ancient one and its origin can be traced to 7th century A.D.
Though Siva is the main deity here, the temple is also famous for Saturn, Sri
Pranambigai, Sri Thiagarajar and Sri Vinayagar. The Saturn or the Saneeswarar
temple of Thirunallar is famous not only in India but also outside the country.
The striking feature of this Saturn Temple is that it is the only one where
you will find Sani to have Abhayahastham. Legend goes that King Nala of Purana
was released of the affliction of Saneeswaran after he worshipped Him here.
Therefore, it is believed that anyone who visits this temple gets the blessings
of Saneeswarar and is relieved of all the curses.
The main deity of the Thirunallar Temple in Pondicherry is known as Dharbarenyeswarar
because the idol was found here among the forest of Dharba grass. He is the
Swayambhu Lingam and is also known by the names 'Adhimoorthy' or 'Nallarar'.
The temple has been glorified by the coming of many Saivite saints like Thirugnanasambhandar,
Arunagirinadhar Sundaramurthy Swamigal and Thirunavukkarasar who have always
sung about the glory of Siva.
At the Thirunallar Temple in Pondicherry pujas are performed 6 times a day.
Though you will find that Ashtothra Archana, Abhishegam, Sahasranama Archana
and Navagraha Shanthi are performed daily, Homams are not done on Saturdays.
The important festivals celebrated at the Thirunallar Temple in Pondicherry
are Adi Pooram festival, Vinayaga Chathurthi, Navarathri Kolu, Ambu, Soorasamharam
festival, Thiruvathirai festival, Sivarathri festival, Ambal, Brahmortsavam
festival and the Sanipeyarchi festival. The Brahmortsavam is the biggest festival
of the Thirunallar Temple of Pondicherry. This festival marks the day when Nala
was released of his curses at the Thirunallar Temple at Pondicherry and it is
celebrated for 18 days. Various processions like the procession of Sri Thiagarajar,
Panchamurthy, Rathortsavam, Sagpura Veedhiyula and Thepportsavam are the main
attractions of this festival.
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