Dharbaneeswarar Temple in Thirunallar
· Summer: March-May (23°C - 37°C)
· Winter: December-February (17°C - 30°C)
Monsoon: June-September
Best time to visit:
October-March
Opening Time: 06:00 a.m.
Closing Time: 08:00 p.m. (closed from 01:00 p.m. to 04:00 p.m.)
Weekly Holiday: Nil
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: Nil
Children:
Nil
Cameras: Nil
Video Camera: Nil
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
Nil
Children:
Nil
Cameras:
Nil
Video Camera:
Nil
Dharbaneeswarar Temple (or Dharbaranyeswarar Temple), also known as Saniswaram Temple is located in the town of Thirunallar and is of great reverence among the followers of Lord Shiva and Lord Sani (Saturn). There are shrines of Lord Shiva (worshipped as Dharbaranyeswarar), Goddess Boghamaarthapoonmulaiyaal and Lord Sani within the temple complex. Saturday being the day of worshipping Sani attracts huge flocks of devotees to the temple.
It is believed that the temple gets its name from the forest of Dharba (a type of grass) surrounding it. According to the popular mythological legend, King Nala got relieved from the influence of Sani by taking a bath at the holy tank at this place. Visitors to the temple take an oil bath at the tank and then pray to seek the blessings of Lord Sani. Prefer to visit on a Saturday if you are visiting the temple as a pilgrim. The temple stays open from 06:00 a.m.-08:00 p.m. on this day.
Connectivites
Road:
The temple is connected by road to a number of popular towns and cities within and Pondicherry and in Tamil Nadu. Many bus routes help the visitors to access the place.
Railway:
Karaikal Railway Station is only about 7 km. from the temple. Another popular option is Nagore Railway Station about 20 km. away. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at each of these stations for the subsequent road trip.
Airway:
Trichy Airport, which is about 155 km. from the temple, is the closest air access point. It is recommended to hire a taxi from the airport for a convenient trip to the temple.