275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thirunallar Thiru Dharbaranyeswarar Temple !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!
 
 
 
 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thirunallar/Navagra Sthalam/Saptha Vidanga Kshetram/Darbaranyam/Nakavidangapuram/Nalechuram/  is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam located in between Arasilaru & Vanchanadhi in Karaikkal, Puducherry District, Tamil Nadu.  This is one of the prominent temples of Lord Shiva built by the Kings of Chola Dynasty; it occupies huge acres of land famous for its stunning architectural and murals, also known as Navagra Kshetram famous for the worship of Lord Shaneeswara (Saturn).  In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga.
 
Presiding deity – Thiru Dharbaranyeswarar/Nallar with his consort Goddess Sri Pranambikai/Pokamarnthapoonmulaiyal
 
Vimanam - Gajabrushta Vimanam
 
Mangalasasanam – Thirunavukkarasar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Sundarar
 
There was a time the Kingdom of Pandya was under the evil influence of Jainism.  The King Koonpandya who was a firm follower of Jainism, thus the entire Kingdom was under the clutches of Jain principles of Philosophies.  Once, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar was invited to Madurai to be present at the debate with the Jains, in order to prove the superiority of Shaiva Sidhhantha.   In this huge dispute the Jains were made an effort to prove their superiority by hurling the palm leaves contains the principles and philosophies of Jainism to the blaze, instantly those were burnt into ashes.  Sambandhar tossed the scripts praising the glories of ‘Pokamarnthapoonmulaiyal’ (Presiding deity of Thirunallar) into the blaze, surprisingly the palm leaves remained untouched.   Thus, Sambandhar proved the grandeur of Shaiva Siddhantha and reinstated the faith of Lord Shiva in Madurai.
 
Worshipped by – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Indra, Ashtadikpalakas, Sage Agastya, Sage Pulastya, Arjuna, Emperor Nala,
 
Theertham – Nala Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Saraswathi Theertham
 
 
Sthalavruksham – Dharba,
 
Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Lord Thyagaraja/Saptha Vidangar (Unmathha Nadanam) & Neelothpalambal, Lord Shaneeswara,  Pancha Bootha Lingas,  Goddess Gajalakshmi, Lord Chandikeshwara, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga, 63 Nayanmars, Linga worshipped by Emperor Nala, Saptha Vidanga Lingam, Sapthamathas, Marakatha Lingam, Lord Adishesha, Nalanarayana Perumal, Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, Lord Bhairava, Goshtamurtham – Lord Dakshinamurthi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Brahma, Goddess Sri Durga,
 
Festivals – Maha Shivaratri, Vaikasi Visakam, Masi Makam, Arudra Darisanam, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Markazhi Utsavam, Thiru Karthikai,  Navaratri, Karthikai Deepam,
 
 
 
 
The legend has that Emperor Nala had to undergo relentless hardships due to the adverse effects of Lord Shaneeswara, eventually he lost his Kingdom, glories and family.  He arrived on this sacred land; had holy dip in the pond created by him and worshipped Lord Dharbaranyeswara.  Finally King Nala regained his lost glories with the blessings of Lord.
 
Another legend has that the Emperor Muchukunda underwent austerities and worshipped Lord Shiva.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of Emperor and instructed to collect an exceptional idol of Lord Shiva & Goddess Sri Parvati along with Lord Subramanya which was worshipped by Lord Vishnu, later it was given to Lord Indra.   Emperor Muchukunda approached Lord Indra and earnestly prayed for the idol.    Lord Indra was not willing to give away the idol of Lord Somaskandha received from Lord Vishnu.  He instructed the Emperor to construct six sacred shrines; it was dutifully followed by him.  Later, the original idol of Lord Somaskandha was provided to him.   The temples built by Emperor Muchukunda were collectively known as Saptha Vidanga Kshetram.  They are Thirunallar, Thiruvaimur, Thirumaraikkadu, Thirukkolili, Thirukkaravasal, Thirunagai Karonam and Thiruvarur.  Thiruvarur was the place where the original image of Lord Somaskanda worshipped by Lord Vishnu was installed.
 
This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.30 PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 9.00PM in the evenings.
 
 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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