Introduction to 5 Most Famous Shani Dev Temples:
The 5 most famous Shani Dev temples in India are Thirunallar Temple, Tamil Nadu, Yerdanur Shani Temple, Telangana, Shani Mahatma Temple, Karnataka, Shani Shingnapur, Maharashtra and Shani Dham Temple, Delhi. According to Hindu mythology, the Shanidev is also called Raviputra or Chayaputra.
It is a well known fact that on Saturdays, the devotees throng at Shanidev temples in large numbers to worship Lord Shani with mustard oil, fruits, flowers, incense sticks and light oil lamps and offer prayers.
A detailed account in respect of the 5 most famous Shanidev temples in India, their Mahatmya or importance, as to when to read Shani Mahatmya, its benefits, opening and closing and aarti or darshan timings etc. is discussed to enable devotees to reap optimum benefits by offering their prayers at these pilgrimage centres. Devotees chant the Shani mantra -Om Shanishcharya Namah on Saturdays.
Devotees and pilgrims, find mental peace and solace on their course of spiritual journey to Shani Dham temple, Thirunallar Temple, Tamil Nadu, Yerdanur Shani Temple, Telangana, Shani Mahatma Temple, Karnataka., Shani Shingnapur, Maharashtra or Shani Dham Temple, Delhi.
List of essential items that devotees usually take for offering Shani puja
Rice, black ‘til’ and black string, Flower petals and leaves, Incense sticks, Oil Lamps, Mustard oil, Sweets, fruits, Camphor, Black Urad, Clove, Elaichi, Pan-Supari and holy ganges water, Coconut, horse-shoe of iron .
Thirunallar Temple, Tamil Nadu- Shri Saneeswarabhagwan Sthalam
Thirunallar Temple, Tamil Nadu is an ancient temple portraying the epic love story of King Nala and his queen Damyanti. According to legend, King Nala was relieved of his afflictions caused due to malefic influence of Saturn after worshipping in Thirunallar Saneeswaran temple, Tamil Nadu.
According to the legend, the King Nala lost his Kingdom over a game of dice and got separated in the forest and after many years reunited and regained his lost Kingdom.
This Thirunallar Saneeswaran temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Dharbaranyeswar and Lord Shani. Devotees take a bath in Nala Teetha and visit the Thirunallar temple in wet clothes. At Thirunallar Temple, Tamil Nadu, there is a cluster of 9 temples dedicated to Navagrahas (the nine planets of the solar system).
Thirunallar Temple, Tamil Nadu Architecture
The sanctum sanctorum of the Thirunallar Saneeswaran temple, Tamil Nadu is in the center of the rectangular-shaped area on an elevated platform. The gate-way tower is five stories and the walls of the temple are built in granite stones.
The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses the image of Dharbaranyeswarar (Shiva) in the form of a lingam. The temple has shrines of Somaskanda and niches for Dakshinamurthy, Goddess Durga and Lingodbhava.
Location of Thirunallar Shani temple or the Thirunallar Temple, Tamil Nadu
The Thirunallar temple, Tamil Nadu is located in Thirunallar, a village located at a distance of about 5 km (3.1 miles) from a place called Karaikkal in the Union territory of Puducherry and about 95 km (59 mi) from the major town of Thanjavur. Thirunallar temple, Tamil Nadu is approximately 300 km from Chennai and it takes about 6 hours to travel by car.
The nearest airport is Trichy which is at a distance of about 170 km from the temple town of Thirunallar. Nearest railway station is Nagore which is at a distance of about 10 km from the temple. Thanjavur is about 100 km; Pondicherry is about 135 km from the temple.
Thirunallar Temple, Tamil Nadu Timings, Darshana and Puja archanas
The temple remains open in the morning from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the evening.
Morning Puja Archana is organized at 06-07:00 am; 08:30-09:30 am; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm;
Evening Puja starts at 05:00- 06:30 pm; 07:00-08:00 pm; 08:30-09:00 pm
Ordinary Poojas include the following:-
Ashtottra Archana/Sahasranama Archana/Abhishekam with Saharsranama archana/ Navagraha Shanti Homan. Special Poojas include the following:- Shanidev’s procession/ Laksharchana to Shanidev/Mahanyasa Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam.
Yerdanur Shani Temple, Telangana
Yerdanur Shani Temple, Telangana is located in the Medak District of the state of Telangana. The Yerdanur Shani Temple is famous for the 20 feet idol of Shanidev which is beautifully carved in black monolithic stone. The deity of Shani Dev is seated on an elevated platform which is about 2 ft in height.
Devotees from far and wide, visit Yeardanu Shani temple, Telangana to worship Shanidev. They light lamps with mustard oil or sometimes with sesame oil and offer different offerings at the feet of the Lord Shanidev.
The temple remains open from 6:00 am in the morning to 8:00 pm all days.
Shani Mahatma Temple, Karnataka.
Shani Mahatma Temple, Karnataka is located in the Kanasawadi region(Chikka Madhure). It is at a distance of about 14 km from Nelamangala in the Doddaballapur taluk on the Nelamangala- Doddaballapur road. The region is also known as Chikka Madhure.
Shani Mahatma Temple, Karnataka is situated at a distance of about 40 km from Bengaluru. The temple is at a distance of about 14 km from Nelamangala and about 18 km from Doddaballapur.
The Shani Mahatma Temple, Karnataka was built by Ganga Hanumaiah, a farmer. Devotees throng the temple and worship Shanidev to mitigate the malefic effects of Sadhe sati or asthma Shani or pancham Shani, if any. During the early battle puja, the devotees put black sesame seeds in a piece of cloth tie it with black thread, and dip it in sesame oil( Gingelly oil).
Shani Mahatma Temple Timings
Shani Mahatma Temple Timings are from 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM.
Main Puja is performed every day at 8 PM.
Shani Shingnapur, Maharashtra.
Shani Shingnapur, Maharashtra, or the Shani Shinganapur or Shingnapur temple is dedicated to Shanidev. The temple is located in Nevasa Taluka under the jurisdiction of Ahmednagar. The Shani Shinganapur, Maharashtra temple is at a distance of 35 km from the district of Ahmednagar and about 75 km from the Shirdi shrine.
Shani Shingnapur, Maharashtra, or the Shani Shinganapur or Shingnapur temple is very well connected by road, railways, and air. Air journeys up to Pune or Aurangabad can be performed and, thereafter, road journeys can be undertaken.
It is believed that Shani Shinganapur, Maharastra protects the people and hence no doors are fixed by the villagers in their dwelling units. It is often said about the Shani Shingapur, Maharashtra region that there is God, but no temple, there is a home, but no door, there is a tree, but no shade and there is fear, but no enemy.
Shani Shingnapur, Maharashtra Aarti timings: 5:30 am; 9:30 am;12:30 pm;8:30 pm Prasadam Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Shani Dham Temple, Delhi.
Shani Dham Temple, Delhi is located on the Chhatarpur Road near Asola region. Shanidev idol was consecrated in the year 2003. The Shani Dham temple, in Delhi is dedicated to Lord Shani(Saturn). The presiding deity’s idol is 21 feet tall and is erected over a buffalo and vulture. The idols of Lord Hanuman and the idols of Navagrahas (Nine planets) are also there.
Shani Dham Temple Timings: 06:00 am to 10:00 pm. On Shani amavasya, Pitra dosh and kaal sarpa dosh pujas are performed and on Navratri and Deepawali festivals, durga puja and Lakshmi pujas are performed.
Conclusion:
According to Hindu scriptures, the Shanidev is represented as a dark-complexioned deity with four arms holding a bow, arrow, (Teer-Kaman) an axe(Kulhadi), and a trident(Trishul). According to texts, Shanidev has a chariot and a crow.
Shanidev holds a significant position in the Vedic Hindu religion. In Vedic astrology, the position of the planets at the time of birth is known to influence the characteristics and traits of an individual.
The beneficial and malefic effects of Shanidev are potential. Devotees take adequate measures to propitiate and worship Shanidev to mitigate adverse effects, if any according to their respective birth charts. Devotees perform Shanidev pujan religiously following the rituals and prescribed procedures and periodically visit the famous Shanidev temples in India.
For interesting astrology-related videos, subscribe to us on Youtube
FAQs About 5 Most Famous Shani Dev Temples
Q.1. What is special about Shani Shingnapur?
Ans. 1. Shani Shingnapur temple is dedicated to Lord Shani(Saturn). It is believed here that Shanidev protects the people and hence the villagers do not put doors in the dwelling units.
Q.2. Which temple is famous for Lord Shani?
Ans.2. Famous Temples dedicated to Lord Shani are Thirunallar Temple in Tamil Nadu, Yerdanur Shani Temple in Telangana, Shani Mahatma Temple in Karnataka, Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra, and Shani Dham Temple in Delhi. According to Hindu mythology, Shanidev is also called Raviputra or Chayaputra.
Q.3. What is special about Thirunallar Temple?
Ans.3. Thirunallar temple is associated with the legendary love story of King Nala and his queen Damayanti.
Q.4. What are the benefits of Shani Mahatmya?
Ans. It is believed by devotees that by worshipping at the Shani temples, the malefic effects of Shani are removed.
Q.5. When to read Shani Mahatmya?
Ans.5 Shani Mahatmya can be read daily, however, devotees invariably chant the Shani Mahatmya and Shani Mantra on Saturdays(Shanivar).
