Sri Saniswara - T A Srinivasan

When one mentions the name Thirunallar, the temple that comes to one’s mind is that of Saniswara or Sanaischara (one who moves slowly), though he is not the presiding deity there. Housed in a subshrine near the inner tower known as ‘Kattai Gopuram’ in the Dharbaranyeswarar temple there, he faces East with ‘Abhaya Varada Hastham’ and is considered the ‘Anugraha Murthi’ (one who bestows good things).

One of the 274 places sanctified by the Thevaram songs, Thirunallar’s original name was Darbaranyam or the place in a forest of Kusa grass (Darbam). According to legend, Brahma and many sages worshipped Lord Siva at the place, and the Lord, who appeared before them, took the form of the Lingam after teaching them the Vedas. Brahma asked the divine sculptor to establish a temple in the place, and also named it Adhipuri. Later, Emperor Musukunda installed in the temple ‘Nakavidangar,’ one of the seven ‘Vidangars’ obtained by him from the celestial king, Indra, and worshipped the Lord. Hence, the place also came to be known as ‘Nakavidangapuram’.

© "The Hindu" (dated June 13, 2003). Reprinted with permission.

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