Saturn Shrines in India

The very popular shrines for Lord Saturn in India are Thirunallaru, near Karaikkal and Sani Shingnapur in Maharashtra. Thirunallaru : In several parts of India, there are clusters of nine temples / shrines dedicated to the Navagrahas. One such cluster is located near the town Kumbakonam, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Lord Sani’s shrine in this cluster is located at Thirunallaru. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Darbaranyesvara, a form of Lord Shiva, in which Lord Sani is located in a niche in a wall. At this temple, Lord Sani is considered to be of benevolent nature. Nala Tirtha is the sacred tank, by the side of the temple, bathing in which it removes the afflictions of Saturn. Those under the influence of the 3rd part of Sade-sati get good relief here. Shingnapur : Another important shrine for Lord Sani is in Shingnapur, in Maharashtra, India. The deity self emerged from the earth, in the form of stone-block and was found by shepherds. When they touched the stone with a pointed rod, the stone began bleeding. The shepherds were astounded and one night shepherd got a dream that the deity was Lord Sani. To this day, due to fear of Lord Sani, houses within 1 km radius of the Sani temple do not have locks. No thefts happen in this place. Some who have tried to steal have received punishment (sickness, mental aberrations etc.,) from Lord Sani. Sani Shrines in Maharashtra : Most Hindu temples have a little shrine set apart for the Navagrahas (nine planets) out of which one is Sani. In Maharashtra, there are several temples mainly dedicated to Sanidev:Sani Devaalayam in Deonar near Chembur. Shree Saneeshwarar Temple at Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Shree Sani Mandir at Kalyan (East) near Vitthalwadi. Shree Sani Mandir on the Service Road at Khar East. Sani Bhagwan Mandir, Beedh. Sri Sani Dev Kshetra, Nastanpur. Shri Sani Dev Kshetra, Tirth Nandur bar. Sani Dham, Near Delhi : Another Sani temple is Sani Dham, at Fatehpur Beri, about 6kms from Chhattarpur temple and 16kms from the Qutub Minar, at Mehrauli, South Delhi, India. It has got the tallest 21 feet high statue of Lord Sani in the world, made of Ashtadhatu and a natural rock of Sani. Remedial measures for Kaalsarp dosha, Sade-sati and Dhaiya are done here on Sani Amavasaya, the most auspicious day for pleasing Lord Sani. Sanichara in Madhya Pradesh : Built by Daulat Rao Scindia in 1825, Saturn Temple at Sanichara is situated about 27 miles from Gwalior. The history of this temple dates back to the Ramayana and Purana periods. People from all over the country visit this temple to worship Saturn with a view to ward of the evil effects of the planet. A fair is held here on every Somvati Amavasya. The nearest railway station is at Sanichara, on the Gwalior- Bhind narrow gauge railway line. Chitracala, Guwahati : The temple of Navagrahas is situated in the South-eastern part of the Guwahati town on the crest’ of a hill known as Citracala. The temple contains nine phallic emblems of Lord Shiva, covered with cloths of different colours sacred to the nine planetary gods. Gwalior Kokilavan in Madhya Pradesh : Lord Sani temple of Gwalior Kokilavan in Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna gave darshan to Sanidev, is also a very popular Sani Temple.

SATURN SHRINES ACROSS INDIA :

Shree Sani Mandir Tirth, Ujjain Shri Sidha Shakti Peeth SaniDham, Delhi Shri Sani Mandir, Madivala, Bangalore Sanaischara Alayam, Hassan, Karnataka Shri Sanimahatma Mandir, Pavagada, Tumkur district, Karnataka Lord Sri Sanimahatma Temple, Sayyajirao road, Mysore, Karnataka Lord Sri Saneeswara Temple, Nandi Waddemanu, Nagarkurnool, Andhrapradesh. Sri Mandeshwara Swamy Temple, Mandapalli, Kothapeta Mandal, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. Lord Sri Sani Temple, Vargal, Medak district, Andhra Pradesh.

SATURN SHRINES ACROSS TAMIL NADU: Kuchanoor : A holy Saturn temple is at Kuchanoor, 20 km from Theni, near Madurai. The Lord is seen in Swayambhu (self-appeared) form, the name of the town (Kubjanoor) being derived from Kubjan, one of Sani’s names. Here, one will be relieved positively from the evil effects of the first part of 2 ½ years of Sade-sati. Bathing in the holy waters of river Surabi is said to redeem one from the clutches of Saturn. Thirukollikadu : A sacred temple of Saturn is located 9 Kms from Kachanam, in Tiruvarur- Tiruthuraipoondi road. Here people who are under the influence of the 2nd part of Sade-sati get relief, by worshipping Lord Saturn. The idol carries a plough, the symbol of creation in his hand. Navapashanam (Devipattinam) : 70 Kms away from Rameswaram, navagrahas are installed in the seawater as upright stones, by Lord Rama Himself, before embarking on his journey to Lanka. Lord Shiva here is known as Thilakeswarar and is worshipped with gingely seeds. At the time of Sunrise, one has to offer prayers and ‘tharpan rituals’ to the deceased ancestors. Pozhichaloor : 12 Kms from Chennai, there is a small shrine for Lord Saturn in Agastheeswarar temple. It is said that, here, Lord Saturn himself was relieved from the pain caused by his sin of making others suffer. Lord Saturn in good temper here blesses all the devotees! Thiruppugalur : Near Nagappatinam, within a huge temple of Lord Shiva, special worship is offered to Lord Saturn. Idol of King Nala is found by the side of Lord Saturn here. Devotees are generally advised to worship at this place first and then proceed to Thirunallaru. King Nala suffered a lot due to Sadesati and got rid of Saturn’s affliction, after worshipping in these two places. While worshipping in all the Saturn shrines, please do remember to help the handicapped as much as you can. Also donate food and black clothes to the needy.