Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple (Dharbaranyeswarar Temple), Karaikal – Prayers

Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple (Dharbaranyeswarar Temple), Karaikal – Prayers

According to the epics and legends the planet Saturn colonize in each Zodiac sign for seven and half years and this is considered as a troublesome time which adds a lot of challenges for the individual who going through it. The resentful planet Saturn is worshiped first by the devotees before worshiping the presiding deity Lord Shiva. Saturday is the most sacred day for Lord Saneeswaran. Most devotees throng the temple for relief from the effects of Planet Saturn in their life. They take an oil bath in the Nala Theertham, offer prayers to Shri Kalitheertha Vinayaka, break coconuts and worship lord Sani (the planet Saturn).

It is the staunch belief and experience too that those afflicted by the adverse effects of Planet Saturn get a relief after praying to the Saturn in the Shri Dharbaranyeswarar temple. They also come here for repentance from sins, curing of diseases, getting oratory skills. They pray to Dharbaranyeswarar for peaceful marriage alliances. Above all they get total mental peace. Devotees light lamps with sesame in this temple. The wick made of cotton cloth with sesame seeds inside available for rupees five inside the temple. It is customary to light this lamp on Saturdays to please Lord Shani to ward off his bad influence.

It is also believed that praying to Lord Anjaneya on Saturdays, wearing of blue stone as rings, donating black garments and sesame will reduce the influence of Lord Shani. Those facing evil effects of Saturn, light lamps with gingelly oil and with black Dill (Ellu). They offer Dill rice as Nivedhana. Perform Navagraha Shanti Homas (a puja to satisfy and calm down the anger of the planets). They offer money in the hundi, cows to the temple. Many also shave their heads and offer the hair. Devotees offer abishek to Lord Dharbaranyeswarar in milk, rosewater, tender coconuts, curd, Dill oil, sandal paste, sacred ashes (Vibhuthi) and new clothes. Devotees offer Sari to the Goddess Bhogamartha Poonmulayal, light lamps in her shrine and feed the Bakthas visiting the temple.

Prayer Procedure:

Devotees facing evil effects of Saturn must stay for one day and night in the temple vicinity. The most preferable day for visiting this temple is Saturday. Devotees should do rituals to attain total blessing from the Navagraha Lord Sani and lead a peaceful life in the following ways: In the morning take a holy bath in the Holy water tank called Shani Theertham. Gingelly oil must be applied on the head before the bath and a piece of cloth like a banyan or underwear must be left on the banks of the tank (not inside the water as people do by mistake).

After getting dressed visit the nearby Kalitheertha Vinayaka shrine and offer prayers and break coconuts after surrounding it over the heads three times. Go to the main temple and light lamps with gingelly oil (Nallennai) with a bunch of black Til (Ellu) which can be packed in a piece of cloth put in an Akal Vilakku (Lamp made of mud) (you can buy oil and 'Ellu’ called as sesame seeds or till and cloth and prepare or buy readily available inside the temple).

Then perform Archanas to Lord Shiva, Ambal and other Gods finally in the shrine of Sri Saneeswaran Baghwan. Chant few mantras and slokas of Lord Sani before his Shrine. Sit peacefully for some time and do meditation praying the Lord to relieve your sins. They should offer Ellu Sadam or Rice mixed with sesame seeds (til rice) as Nivedhana and distribute to devotees and poor peoples. This food item is a good pariharam for Lord Shani which can be prepared in the house and distributed at the temple.