A shrine for Saturn
Saturn, one of the nine planets in the Navagrahas, proceeded to Agni Vanam - Thirukollikadu - and did severe penance so that celestials and human beings will worship him. Happy with the penance, Agneeswarar appeared before him in the form of Agni and blessed him. Saturn took another incarnation as ‘Pongu Sani’, with a plough and a flag with crow embossed on the flag.
He is consecrated in a separate shrine in the temple. Bhairavar, Saturn’s guru, is also installed in front of the Sani shrine.
Saturn is called Pongu Sani and Mangala Sani here as he blesses the devotees abundantly. The Navagrahas face one another which is another unique aspect of this temple.
Saturn holds a plough and shows the abhaya hastham in his right hand and a crow in his upper left hand and uru hastham in his lower left hand. He is seated on his vahana crow majestically and is attired in a dark blue outfit.
People suffering from the malefic effects of Sani – seven-and-a-half years - ezharai naattu Sani - will surely benefit by worshipping him here.
There are buses plying from Tiruvarur and Mannargudi to Thirukollikadu.
(Concluded)
|