DHARBARANYESWARAR TEMPLE

This Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Sani (Saturn) located in Tirunallar in Karaikal district of 

Pondicherry, India. The presiding deity is Lord Siva, Dharbaranyeswar and the place Tirunallar was historically called Dharbaranyam. The temple is revered by the hymns of 7th century Tamil saivite poets, Appar, Cuntarar and Campantar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

The presiding deity is Dharbaranyeswarar (Lord Siva) and is believed to have been made of dharba grass.

The worship is also centered on the icon of planet Saturn, called Saniswarar, originally treated as the door keeper of the shrine. According to Hinduism, saturn resides in each rasi (zodiac) for two and half years. The tradition is to worship Saniswarar before entering the inner sanctum of Lord Siva.

Sambandar, the 7th century nayanar and Tamil saivite poet has revered the deity with four hymns, in one

of which he refers to a contest with Jains, and his victory. Appar and Sundarar, the other Nayanars have glorified the temple with their hymns. Arunagirinathar, a 15th-century poet and staunch devoteet of Lord Muruga has composed hymns on the deity and this temple is attributed to Murugan worship as well.