Thirunallar

The Kaveri delta pilgrimage town at Thirunallar in Karaikal district, Puducherry Union Territory — the only major Shani (Saturn) temple in India where the planetary deity is worshipped as the primary sanctum image. The Darbaranyeswarar Shiva temple on the Thirunallar hilltop traces to the Chola period (10-century), but Shani worship became the primary pilgrimage from the 11-century Pandya patronage onward. Pilgrims come specifically for Shani Dosha removal rituals (astrological Saturn afflictions) — the temple's annual Shani Peyarchi festival each 29 months (when Saturn changes zodiacal sign) draws over 2 million pilgrims. The 1736 Thirunallar Nava Grahas (nine planets) tank beside the temple is used for ritual bathing before darshan. The temple is managed by the Puducherry Hindu Religious Institutions.