Darbaranyeswarar Temple

Darbaranyeswarar Temple is one of the Navagraha Temples Located near Kumbakonam,Tamil Nadu This Shivastalam is a vast temple shrine of great significance, especially in light of Saneeswarar's sannidhi here, which attracts thousands when the planet Saturn transits between zodiac signs. Tirunallar is located in close proximity to Karaikkal and Nagappattinam, (is under the administration of Pondicherry) and is well connected by road to many other towns in the area. Tirunallar is best accessed, driving from Mayiladuturai or from Nagapattinam. Tirunallar is one of the 7 Saptavitanka stalams of Tyagaraja connected with the Mucukunda Chola legend and Tiruvarur - housing Nagavitankar (Unmatta Natanam). The seven Vitankastalams are Tiruvarur, Tirukkuvalai, Tirukkaaraivaasal, Tirumaraikkaadu, Tiru Naagai, Tirunallaaru and Tiruvaimur. The image of Tyagarajar at Tiruvarur is the foremost of the 7 from which Indra is believed to have asked Muchukunda Cholan to pick the original image of Somaskandar worshipped by Mahavishnu. . Muchukunda Cholan is believed to have picked the right one (the image at Tiruvarur) , and Indra is believed to have rewarded him with all of the 7 images, which the latter installed at 7 different places within his territory, and it is these 7 temples which constitute the 7 Vitankastalams. Tirunallar is also ssociated with Sambandar's Pachaippatikam which remained 'green' even in the midst of his 'Anal Vaatam' at Madurai. .King Nala of the puranas is said to have been relieved of his afflictions upon worshipping here. The Tirunallar temple is a one of a kind temple with a shrine of this grandeur exclusively dedicated to Saturn. The architectural features date back to the Chola period and inscriptions dating back to the twelfth century AD are found in the temple.