Timings, the Nala Theertham bath, queues and where to rest, so Saturday darshan at Thirunallar goes smoothly.
Saturday is the busiest day at the Thirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar temple, home of the Saneeswaran (Saturn) shrine. A little planning makes it much easier.
Timings
On most days the temple is open from about 6:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm. On Saturdays it opens at 5:00 am and stays open until 9:00 pm. Timings change on festival days, so check before you go.
Reach early
Queues on Saturdays can run for hours. Arrive before 7 am. The simplest way is to stay the night before. RK Resorts is about 5 minutes from the temple.
The ritual
Many devotees take an oil bath in the Nala Theertham tank before darshan. The usual offerings are a sesame oil lamp and black cloth.
Afterwards
Come back to rest. Stays on the CP plan include a South Indian breakfast at Crave, and visitors can have breakfast for ₹310 per person. Check-in is at 2 pm and check-out at 12 noon; ask us about early check-in or late check-out, subject to availability.
Sani Peyarchi
Sani Peyarchi, Saturn's transit, comes about every two and a half years and brings the largest crowds. Check the date with the temple and book early.
Read our full temple guide or see staying near Thirunallar temple.