|
|
Tirunallar is a small village located about 5-km from
Karaikal, where there is a temple dedicated to Sri Darbaranyeswarar. Sri
Darbaranyeswarar temple was constructed during the Chola period.
Although the main deity is Sri Darbaranyeswarar, Lord Saneeswara Bhagavan
who has a separate shrine in this temple is very famous. There is a
separate shrine dedicated to Tyagaraja at Tirunallar, which is one of the
7 Saptavitanka stalams of Tyagaraja connected with the Mucukunda Chola
legend and Tiruvarur - housing "Nagavitankar" ("Unmatta
Natanam").
About The Temple
Darbaranyeswarar temple is a well-known temple featuring the shrines of
Shiva and Saneeswarar (Saturn). It is one of the well-visited temples in
the Tamil-speaKing region of India. The temple stands on the south bank of
the Kaveri, in its vicinity there are many other temples like the
Mariamman, the Pidariar, and the Ayyanar. There are also many well-known
tanks, some of puranic celebrity. There is also a shrine dedicated to
Tyagaraja and Sundarar.
The architectural features date back to the Chola period and inscriptions
dating back to the twelfth century AD are found in the temple. Some
paintings and potraits, which are of royal or baronial patrons, can be
seen in the temple. The balipitha in front of the shrine of Lord
Tirunallar is not in the direct line with it.
The presiding deity Shiva is known as 'Darbaranyeswarar',
'Adipureeswarar' and 'Naleswarar'. A green emerald lingam (also spelt as
Linga) also adorns this shrine.
The Legend
Several legends are associated with this temple. According to one it is
said that King Nala was under the influence of Sani, i.e. Saturn for an
extended period of time in his life and went through several difficulties
and obtained total relief only after worshipping Shiva at this shrine.
According to another legend Lord Vishnu worshipped Shiva in the form of
an image of Somaskanda and that he later on parted with it to Indra the
King of the Gods. An earthly King in return for his devotion to Shiva was
directed by Shiva to obtain this image from Indra. Indra directed this
King to construct six other shrines to Somaskanda before giving him the
divine image. Accordingly the King, Muchukunda Chakravarti installed
Somaskanda images at six other places besides Tirunallar.
History Of The Temple
The origin of this temple dates back to antiquity. The Saivite Saints of
the past millennium such as Tirugnyana Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar have
sung praises of this temple.
Since Sambandar has sung of the temple, it must have existed in or by the
seventh century. It figures in the account of the saint's reclamation to
Hinduism of the celebrated Pandya King, Ninrasir Nedumaran. After the King
had been cured of his illness through the saint's interventions, the
Jains, who had failed in their own efforts, challenged contest. It was
agreed that both the parties should place in the fire some of their
scriptures. The Jain works were burnt to ashes. But those of Sambandar
were unaffected and, in fact, turned green. Among his works were the
verses he had sung of this temple.
Services And Festivities
Religious services are performed five times a day. Other than these, a
whole host of festivities are held throughout the year. On Tamil New
Year's day, (marked by the transition of the Sun from Pisces to Aries
according to the Indian astrological system) Tyagaraja is taken in a
procession and oblations are performed to the Emerald Lingam (also spelt
as Linga).
An 18 Day Long Extravaganza
A grand eighteen-day festival is performed in the month of Vaikasi
(May-June). The tenth day of this festival, when the moon resides passes
through the sign of Scorpio, Saneeswarar (Saturn) is taken in procession.
This day is said to mark the day when King Nala was relieved of the
influence of Saturn.
The month of Aani (June-July) witnesse's festivities related to Nataraja
- Shiva - the Lord of Dance. The month of Aadi (July-August) marks the
time for special services to Sundarar - one of the foremost Saivite poet
Saints. The full moon night in the month of Purattasi (September-October)
witnesses several special services to the Emerald Lingam (also spelt as
Linga). This month also is the time for the nine-day festival for the
Goddess "Pranambika" (Navaratri). In the month of 'Aippasi'
(October-November) a festival is celebrated for Lord Subramanya.
During the month of Kartikai (November-December) Kartikai Deepam is
celebrated, marked by a procession of the five principal temple deities
and by the symbolic bonfire. The month of Markali (December-January) is
when, a ten day festival dedicated to Natarajar is performed, where verses
from Tiruvempavai are recited. There are several other festivals including
one on Panguni Uthiram.
Perhaps, the best-known festival here is the one marKing the transition
of Saturn between Zodiac sign. This happens once in two and a half years
and is visited by hundreds of thousands of deities. The entire town wears
a festive look as the deity Saneeswarar is taken in a procession around
town.
Air: The nearest airport is at
Trichy about 160-km away from
Tirunallar. The nearest international airport is at Chennai around 300-km
away. Various airline services connect
Trichy with
Chennai, Sharjah,
Kuwait and Colombo.
Rail: There is a railway station on Peralam-Karaikal line.
Road: Regular government bus services are available from
Karaikal, but Tirunallar is best accessed, driving from Mayiladuturai or
from Nagapattinam. City bus services are
available to all places of tourist interest around Karaikal from Karaikal
bus stand. Tourist taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are also
available for local transportation.
Accommodation is available at the budgeted hotels and lodges at Karaikal.
){kind=link}