Thousands throng Tirunallar as Shani transits to Virgo

By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai

CHENNAI, 26 September (asiantribune.com): Thousands of devotees and pilgrims from various parts of the country on Saturday converged at the Darbaranyeshwarar temple, Tirunallar, Karaikal region of Union territory of Puducherry in connection with the ‘Shani Peyarchi’ festival and worshipped and offered special prayers to the Shaneeshwara Bhagawan.

Lt. Governor of Puducherry Iqbal Singh and several dignitaries including Srilasri Shanmuga Desika Paramacharya Swamigal, the Head of Dharmapuram Adheenam, N.Vasanthakumar, Collector of Karaikal, witnessed the special abhishekams and poojas performed at the Shaneeshwara Bhagawan shrine around 3.30 p.m during the transit of Shaneeshwara Bhagawan (Lord of Saturn) from Simha Rasi to Kanya Rasi (Leo to Virgo).

The devotees from several places had started pouring into Tirunallar even four days ago for offering their prayers to the shrine. The entire town wore a festive look. The devotees took a holy dip at the Nala Teertham, Brahma Teertham and Saraswati Teertham, the holy tanks around the temple, and then offered prayers to Lord Shaneeshwara.

The Karaikal district administration has made elaborate security arrangements and provided basic amenities to devotees. About 1400 policemen were deployed with an increased strength of women personnel as part of the security arrangements during the festival. Police and fire service personnel were kept on vigil in the town.

Barricades were erected in front of the temple and the devotees stood in the queue for several hours of darshan of the deity. Nice pandal arrangements have been made to provide shade for devotees.

About 32 surveillance cameras were employed around the temple area. Special volunteers were posted for removing the old clothes thrown away by the devotees by the side of the holy tanks after taking bath, which is a practice to get rid of the influence of Shani.

The temples, as well as non-governmental organisations presented ‘annadanams’ as part of the festivities. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) operated special buses from various parts of Tamil Nadu and the Southern Railway ran special trains to clear the rush of devotees.

The Thirunallar Commune Panchayat has set up temporary toilets in areas around Nalankulam, Brahma Theertham, Saraswathi Theertham. Medical aid centers were set up around these areas and precautionary measures will be taken to tackle the threat of swine flu.

Police sources said that no untoward incident was reported.

The belief

When Lord Shani (Saturn) passes through the ‘Janma Rasi’ in one's birth chart, he is said to cause difficulties to a person and when he passes through the eighth house from one's Janma Rasi (Ashtamathu Sani) he casts more challenges.

However, the adverse effects of Shani can be relieved through prayer and by performing puja to appease Lord Shani. Sani transits from one house to another every two-and-a-half years and this is known as ‘Sani Peyarchi’.

Shani Peyarchi is one of the best known festival celebrated at Lord Darbaranyeswarar Temple and is visited by large number of people. Saneeswarar’s deity is taken in a procession around the town on this auspicious occasion.

The transit of Lord Saturn from one Rasi to another Rasi (one house to another) in every two and half years is known as ‘Shani Peyarchi’ and Saturn (moves slowly) takes 30 years to come full circle covering all the 12 Rasis.