There comes a time in every persons life where they are affected by Shani Dasha (Period of Saturn). They undergo many a great hardship and it is during this time they offer prayers and do pujas to Shani to get some respite, to appease him, many pay obeisances from the effects of Shani Dasha.
The question is who is Shani? Shani is one of the most popular and yet the most dreaded and feared deities that the Hindus pray to ward off evil and remove obstacles. He is one of the Navagrahas (nine planets) which are the nine primary celestial beings in Hindu Astrology and is considered to be the strongest malefic. Shani is embodied in the planet Shani or Saturn. Shani is the Lord of Saturday. The word Shani also denotes the seventh day i.e. Saturday in most Indian languages. Lord Shani is also known as Shanaiscarya, Shani deva Bhagavan, Shaneesvara, Saneesvara, Shaneesvaran, Shani Deva.
Though most temples have a little shrine set apart for the Navagraha or the nine planets where Shani is placed, one can also visit Shani temples which are present all over India. One such temple where people pay obeisance when they have been affected by Shani is, Sri Shaneshwara Swamy Temple, Mandapalli.
It is said that a great sage Dhadichi made a great sacrifice by donating his spinal cord to Lord Indra to make his Vajra Ayudha (weapon) to kill Kartabha, an asura (demons). To avenge his death, his sons- Pippala and Aswattha waged a war. Sage Agasthya approached Shani for help. He relented when all the sages gave him their taposhakthi (power of penance). Shani waged a war for one long year and ultimately killed them. As a mark of this glorious victory he installed an idol of Lord Shiva in the form of a Shiva Lingam here.
On the sacred advice of the sages, Shani, who atones the sin oF Brahma Hatya, installed and worshipped Lord Siva. After that, Shani declared that whoever worships this Lingam by offering the gingelli oil etc. would be blessed and further said that he would bless such devotees obviating all evils that befall them.
Sri Shaneshwara Swamy, who is the presiding deity, declared that whoever circumambulates (to make the rounds) the Aswattha tree will have their wishes fulfilled and will be relieved from the Shani effects. Furthermore, he declared that whoever takes a holy dip in the Aswattha pond, will have no kind of obstacles in their work.
Beside the Sri Shaneshwara Swamy shrine, there is a shrine of Parvathi Devi, which was installed and worshipped by the wives of Saptha Maharishis (seven sages). Another shrine installed by the creator, Lord Brahma had installed of Shiva Lingam is known as Mandeshwara Swamy. One more shrine which is known as
Nageshwara Swamy, has been installed by Karkotaka, one of the eight famous mythological poisonous snakes. Altogether, there are five shrines in Mandapalli.
There are different types of pujas which are performed in this temple:
| INR | 40/- | 30/- | 10/- | 116/- | 11.30 A.M3/- |
| Puja | Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam (With Oil) | Mahanyaasa Purvaka Tailabhishekam | Tiladaanam | Homam | Kesha Khandana |
For those who are not able to visit can send the name of the puja to be done along with the amount specified below:
| Details of Abisekham | For one time puja | Permanent Pujas (Including this year) | For 52 Saturday in an Year |
| Ekadasi Rudrabhishekam with oil | Rs.100.00 | Rs. 1,500.00 | Rs. 5,200.00 |
| Mahaanyaasaka Purvaka Tailabhishekam | Rs.70.00 | Rs. 1,070.00 | Rs. 3,640.00 |
The following are the festivals celebrated in Mandapalli:
Kalyanam of Sri Swamivaru (Magha Bahula Ekhadasi) (February/March every year)
Devi Navaratrulu (Aswayuja Masam Nine days) (September/October every year)
Karthika Masam (November/December every year)
Lakshapatri Puja (Karthika Masam) (November/December every year)
CONTACT
For enquiries regarding pujas, and stays contact:
The Executive Officer Sri Mandeswara Swamy Temple, Mandapalli (V), Kothapeta Mandal, East Godavari District. Pin - 533 223 Tel: 08855-243208 Mob: 949100721.
