Thirunallar is a small town in the district ofKaraikal,Puducherry Union territory,India. It is on the banks ofNoolaaru River andVanchiaaru River in the north and the banks ofArasalar River in the south.
Thirunallar is specially famous for the temple dedicated toLord Shani, or Lord Saturn. The temple is named after him,Thirunallar Saniswaran temple. The main deity of the town is Lord Dharbharanyeshwarar, a form ofLord Shiva.
The temple of this town is the only temple dedicated to Lord Shani in the whole world. Whenever Lord Saturn passes from one zodiac sign to the other (Sani Peyarchi), millions of people comes to Thirunallar for worshiping the lord. The Nala theertham or Nalan kulam is the temple tank of this temple, which is said to be washing away all misfortunes caused bykarma. That is why Lord Shani is renowned as "the dispenser of Karma".
Thirunallar is believed to be named for King Nala, the king of the country of Nishadha.
