THIRUNALLAR: Thousands of devotees thronged the Lord Darbharanyeswaran Shiva temple at Thirunallar in Karaikal district of Pondicherry, where elaborate pujas were performed to Lord Sani Bhagwan marking the Sani Peyarchi (transit of Planet Saturn) from Viruschika Rasi (Scorpio) to Dhanushu Rasi (Sagittarius).
Amidst a blanket of security, the temple witnessed unprecedented crowds on Tuesday while several other temples across the State too received scores of devotees who invoked the Lord's blessings for a trouble-free blissful life. The major event occurs once in two-and-a-half years.
In Chennai, the event was observed at the Agastheeswarar Temple in Pozichalur, which is the famous Navagraha Sthalam of Shani, although all the Siva temples in the city and suburbs too observed the occasion. Priests performed the Dhosha nivarthi parihara japam and Thilahomam for the devotees on the occasion.
According to sources over 1,500 police personnel and 150 plain-clothes men were deployed for security due to the huge turn out at the festival in Thirunallar. It is estimated that about five lakh devotees have attended the ceremonies at the temple so far. Two dedicated control rooms have also been opened - one at the temple and the other at Nalankulam, to ensure hassle-free visit for the devotees who come from various parts of the State. The Puducherry police deployed 350 surveillance cameras, about 200 in the temple and vicinity and another 150 elsewhere in the town.
Lord Saturn who blesses His devotees with long life and good things in one's life, will remain in Dhanusu Rasi for the next two-and-a-half years.
According to astrologers one has to light pepper lamps for the Lord Bhairavar who happens to be the guru of Lord Sani to ward off all evil effects, light sesame oil lamps for Lord Sani on Saturdays, perform archanas, and give annadhanam till the mentioned duration of Sani's stay, to ward off evils. Feeding crows, the ‘vahanas’or carriers of Lord Sani, is also advised.
