Navagraha temples - Shani

Information about Shani (Saturn) graha

Temple Information:

Temple Name: THIRUNALLAR SHANI Temple
Village Location: THIRUNALLAR, Tamil Nadu 609607, India
Historical/ Scriptural Name: DARBHARANYESHWARA (Darbha + Aranya + Ishwara)
Deities: SANESHWARAN and SRI BHOGA MARTA POON MULAIYAL

How to reach the Temple:

It is on the highway between KUMBHAKONAM and KARAIKAL. The temple is 25 kms from NAGAPATTINAM by road.

History of Shani Graha Temple:

According to Scriptures, Brahma, after having created the world, went around to tour it. When he came to this forest (Aranya) full of Durbha, he was enchanted by its beauty and performed a penance and worshiped a SwayamBhu*1 Shiva Lingam*2.

The Lord appeared and explained to Brahma the inner meaning of Vedas and taught him other shastras. Brahma stayed in this place for a long time worshiping Shiva-Parvati and built temples for them. Brahma created Brahma Teerth and Saraswati created Vani Teerth. Indra, AshtaDikPal (eight directions) and the sacred swan (Hansa) established their own Shiva Lingam and worshipped.

Nomenclature: Because Brahma worshipped at this place long ago, the place is known as AadiPuri (Aadi = Beginning, Puri = City). As, the sacred grass Durbha (not Durva used in Ganesh Puja) was abundant, this place was called DurbhaAranyam. Because Nala had also worshipped here, the place used to be called Nallar and Shiva here called Nalleshwara.

*1 SwayamBhu: Not created by human hand or touched by chisel; Swayam = Self and Bhu = Be, SwayamBhu = Be by self.

*2 Shiva Lingam Worship: 
Shiva = Cosmic Reality (Form) created by AadiParaShakti (Aadi = Beginning, Para = Beyond and Shakti = Energy) ie Paravati. AadiParaShakti = Energy beyond beginning (of matter), The Essence/ Truth (state of no matter, only energy). Energy, in and of itself cannot be perceived without a Form. Therefore AadiParaShakti created Cosmic Reality to manifest itself. 
Lingam = Leen (Become One With) + Gamya (navigable), Lingam = To navigate and become one with. Thus Shiva/ Shiva Lingam worship is a way of becoming one with the Cosmic Reality/ AadiParaShakti (Truth). Shiva, by Himself cannot do anything without AadiParaShakti. Same is true for AadiParaShakti. Therefore, The ArdhaNariIshwara manifestation (Advaita in the Dwaita) is THE (fundamental/ eternal) TRUTH.

History of Shani Graha:

Sun had one wife called Sanchika (Usha Devi). He had two sons from her, namely Vaivastamadhu and Yama and a daughter named Yamuna. Because Sanchika could not bear the heat of the Sun, she made Chhaya Devi from her shadow and asked her to stay with Sun-god and she went to her father’s place. The father reprimanded her and asked her to go back to her husband. Because of fear of her husband, she went to North Pole and started doing penance in the form of a horse (mare). Chhaya Devi bore two sons, namely Savarni (Manu) and Shani and a daughter, namely Bhadra.

Chhaya Devi used to trouble Yama, son of the first wife Sanchika. Yama kicked Chhaya Devi and she cursed him to become lame. When Sun-god came to know of this, he cured Yama’s lameness; he came to know about the story about Chhaya and Sanchika; he went to North Pole to bring back Sanchika (therefore Surya Deva is Uttarayana here) and upon return lived with two wives.

Because of the anger of Yama (stemming from the treatment from Chhaya Devi), Yama kicked her son Shani and thereby Shani became lame. Sun-god granted a boon to Shani to become a Graham. Shani went to Kashi and performed penance to attain strength.

Importance of Shani Graha:

He is the Lord of Makar (Capricorn) and Kumbh (Aquaries) rashi/ zodiac, by Moon (Sun) based astrology. He is exalted  in Tula (Libra)  and Neech in Mesh (Aries).

He decides life span. He is responsible for an individual’s service, fear from disgrace and disrespect, coveting sleep and killing of living beings. He controls Nerves, Skin, Hair, Nails Intestine, Teeth and Joints.

He oversees 3rd, 7th, and 10th houses. When he is in 12th, 1st, and 2nd of Chandra rashi (i.e. where moon is placed), the period is known as SAADESAATI. It lasts for 7.5 years. He stays in each rashi for 2.5 years.

Shani Mahadasha is for 19 years.

Nivritti (Absolution) from Shani Dosha:

It is through SHANI Upasana which one can do by one and/or all of the following ways:
1) Worship Hanuman
2) Recite Hanuman Stotra
3) Recite Shani Stotra
4) Read Shani Mahatmya on Saturdays
5) Fast on Saturdays (avoid taking salt on Saturday)
6) Perform Shani Mantra jaap
7) Donate black til (sesame seed), black cloth, a piece of nail (iron), a blue flower (blue gokarna flower) and light a lamp with a piece of black cloth as wick and using til or sesame oil in a temple.

NavaGraha Aspect/ Characteristics Summary – Shani (Saturn):

#	Navagraha Aspect	Saturn
1	Consort	Neela Devi
2	Cloth color	Black/ Blue
3	Gender	Neutral
4	Element	Air
5	God	Brahma
6	Mounts	Crow (Raven)
7	Presiding Deity	Yama
8	Metal	Iron
9	Gemstone	Blue Sapphire
10	Body Part	Muscles
11	Taste	Astringent
12	Grain	Black Seasame
13	Season	All Seasons
14	Graha deities face this direction	West
15	Flower	Blue Gokarna
16	Kshetra vruksha (tree)	Durbha/ Kusha Grass
17	Week day	Saturday
18	Sound	Pa

Rangoli for Shani Graha: 

To be drawn when worshiping Saturn god

Mantra for Shani Graha:

Below is mantra for Saturn god.