The Thirunallar is a calm and scenic village located near to Karaikal town of Pondicherry. The presiding deity in this temple is Dharbaranyeswara Swami, a form of Lord Shiva. Thirunallar is the abode of the planet Saturn. Mythology tells the Nala, an epic character, took shelter in this temple and prayed to the presiding deity Lord Shiva to give relief from the clutches of Saturn. With his devotion to Shiva t this temple, he could come out from the bad effects of Saturn.
It is believed that one can face extreme poverty, laziness in studies, extreme miseries and al types of bad effects during the period in the life of a person in which the malignant effects of Saturn are predominant. Offering worship at this temple regularly can relieve the person from the sufferings due to the bad effects of Saturn. Taking an oil bath at temple tank is believed to be sacred.