Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple Puducherry (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Pooja, Location & Phone)

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Visiting someplace new is always an exciting affair, especially when we seek tranquillity and freedom from worldly chaos. The quietness you seek and the freedom to let go of any worldly expectations is gratifying and indescribable. Your trip is all set to touch base with inner peace if it's a temple you're planning to visit. Imagine arriving amidst a quaint setting and serene vistas, and you'll realise you're in Puducherry. Think of an immersive aura with divinity all around you, and you'll know it's the Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy temple!

#Trivia: This Temple is one of the 275 Shiva Sthalams!

About the Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple

Dharbaranyeswarar is another name for Lord Shiva, and the Dharbaranyeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple named after him. The deity represents Adi Shakti as the central figure of worship here, while Praneswari Amman represents his spouse Parvati.

#Trivia: The temple is one of the nine temples associated with the Navagraha or the nine planetary deities.

History of Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple

According to mythology, Nala ruled this region filled with tropical grass known locally as Darba. The location became known as Darbaranyam (Aranyam indicates forest while Darba is grass). The movement of the planet Saturn has a detrimental impact on people's life. Saturn's planetary motion also impacted Nala on a day when he ignored customary hygiene routines. He stayed at the temple to avoid the curses of Shani, the planet Saturn. He prayed to Shiva, pleading with him to protect all devotees afflicted with Shani who came to the shrine.

#Note: It is believed that devotees take a plunge in oil in Nala Theertham, the temple tank, and wear black as it signifies the colour of Lord Shani.

Location of Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple

Resting in the midst of a forest, the Dharbaranyeswarar Temple is situated near Kumbakonam - Karaikkal Main Rd, Nalankulam, Thirunallar.

Image Gallery of Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple Puducherry

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Architecture of Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple

The temple is spread across two acres and has a five-tiered gopuram, with the central doorway providing access. The foremost deities in the temple are Dharbaranyeswarar, Praneswari Amman, Somaskandar, and Saniswararan. You will find huge concentric rectangular stone walls surrounding the temple and the masonry edifice built by the Chola Dynasty in the 9th century. Further extensions are attributed to other Vijayanagar emperors.

The temple is rectangular in shape, with a five-tiered Rajagopuram, an entrance tower, and granite walls enclosing all of the shrines. Dharbaranyeswarar (Lord Shiva) is the presiding god of the temple. The central shrine stands on a raised platform just across the main entrance. The picture of Dharbaranyeswarar in the shape of a lingam (an iconic form of Shiva) is present in the sanctuary.

The picture of Somaskanda is present in the southern shrine, which runs parallel to the sanctum shrine. You will also observe the images of Dakshinamurthy, Durga, and Lingodbhava present in the niches surrounding the shrine. Shani's shrine is present on the northern side of the entry tower.

Devotees worship the icon of the planet Saturn, known as Shani that was initially regarded as the shrine's doorkeeper. Saturn spends two and a half years in each Rashi (zodiac) according to Hinduism. Therefore, before entering Lord Shiva's inner sanctuary, it is customary to worship Shani.

Things to do at Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple

The ajapa thanam (dance without chanting) performed by the deity in Tiruvarur's Thyagaraja Temple is famous. According to mythology, a Chola monarch called Mucukunta won a blessing from Indra and sought to have a picture of Thyagaraja Swamy (the temple's principal deity, Shiva) reposing on the breast of reclining Lord Vishnu.

Indra attempted to deceive the king by having six other pictures created. Still, the king picked the correct one at Tiruvarur. Thirukkuvalai, Nagapattinam, Tirukarayil, Tirukoilur, Thirukkuvalai, and Thirumaraikadu received the remaining six images. Interestingly, the seven locations are all settlements in the Cauvery delta.

The temple priests offer poojas during festivals as well as on a daily basis. The priests, like those at other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, are Shaivite.

Entry fee & Timings of Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple

There is no entry fee to visit the temple as such. However, you can donate as per your wish to the temple for organizing poojas.

You can visit the temple between 6 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM. The temple conducts five major poojas at scheduled intervals:

• Ushakkala Pooja (Sunrise Worship) - 6 AM
• Kaalasandhi Pooja - 7 AM
• Uchi Kala Pooja (Noon Worship) - 12 PM
• Saayaraksha Pooja - 6 PM
• Ardhajam Pooja - 8 PM.

Best time to visit Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple

The best time to visit the temple is from October to March when the weather is far more favourable than other months of the year. Puducherry, being a coastal UT, receives heavy rainfall in peak monsoon and is humid during the summer months.

How to reach Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple

By Air: Trichy is the closest airport to Karaikal, which is 163 kilometres away. From Trichy to Karaikal, buses and taxis are available. From Chennai to Karaikal, a pre-paid cab is available; the journey takes around 5 hours.

By Train: Mayiladuthurai Railway Station is the closest railway station.

By Bus: The temple is 5 kilometres west of Karaikal city, in Union Territory Pondicherry, on the bus route Karaikal-Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam. Buses go directly from Chennai to Thirunallar.

By Cab: You can book a full day cab from top car rental companies in Pondicherry and visit the temple easily.

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The Dharbaranyeswarar Temple is in itself a reason for devotees and cultural enthusiasts to visit Puducherry. From the serenity of the forest to the gorgeous architecture of this marvelous temple, there is much in store for every tourist visiting one of the top tourist destinations of Puducherry. Book a Pondicherry Tour package with Pondicherry Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA and plan a trip to this beautiful temple to experience the calming cadences of the almighty. Please fill the Contact Us form for further details.

Location Map for Sri Dharbaranyeswara Swamy Temple Puducherry