Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple, Hindu temple in Karaikal, India
Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple is a Hindu temple in Karaikal in the Indian union territory of Puducherry, dedicated to Shani, the deity of the planet Saturn. The tall pyramid-shaped towers rise above the entrances, while smaller shrines line up around an open courtyard inside.
The site was founded more than a thousand years ago and served as a pilgrimage destination for people suffering from hardships caused by the influence of the planet Saturn. Over time various rulers came and expanded the temple's walls, ponds, and gateways.
Worshippers commonly wear black clothes after prayer and walk around the inner shrine counterclockwise several times, a gesture of respect toward the deity. On Saturdays the temple compound fills with people who pour oil over the stone figure and recite prayers.
The temple opens daily from sunrise to sunset, and visitors are asked to remove their shoes before entering. Certain days in the lunar calendar draw larger crowds, so expect longer waiting times then.
In the courtyard stands an old tree under whose branches small pieces of cloth and flower garlands accumulate, left behind by visitors. A separate area displays nine planetary deities carved from stone, arranged in a specific order around a central point.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
