Kuchanur Saneeswara Bhagavan Temple, Theni

Address

Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan Temple, Kuchanur, Uthamapalayam Taluk, Theni District – 625 515 Phone: +91 4554 321 108 / 247 285 Mobile: +91 97900 50167 / 73056 36626 / 89404 85801

Diety

Saneeswaran

Introduction

The Saneeswara Bhagavan Temple, dedicated to the planet Saturn (Saneeswara), is a unique and significant place of worship located in Kuchanur Village, near Chinnamanur Town, in the Theni District of Tamil Nadu. This temple holds special importance as it is the only temple in India exclusively dedicated to Lord Saneeswara.

Presiding Deity: The main deity of the temple is Saneeswara Bhagavan, who represents the planet Saturn. The idol of Saneeswara Bhagavan is a Swayambhu, meaning it is believed to be self-manifested. The idol is in the form of a Linga and is black in color. The Utsava Moorthy, the processional idol, is placed adjacent to the presiding deity. Notably, you can find the Thiruman symbol, which is associated with Vaishnavism, on the Swayambhu Murthy, indicating that both Shaivites and Vaishnavites visit the temple for worship.
Other Deities: The temple complex also houses shrines for Lord Murugan and Lord Vinayaga to the north of the main sanctum.
Historical Significance: The Saneeswara Bhagavan Temple is believed to be around 1,000 years old and has a rich historical heritage.
Legends: There are several legends associated with the temple. One legend relates to King Dinakaran and his adopted son Chandravadanan, who prayed to Lord Saneeswara to alleviate the ill effects of Saturn on the king. Another legend suggests that this is the place where Lord Saneeswara performed penance to absolve himself of the Brahma Hatya Dosha, a grave sin associated with the killing of a Brahmin.
Surabhi River: The temple is situated on the banks of the main channel of the perennial Surabhi River, providing a serene and picturesque setting for devotees.
Crow Worship: Crow worship is an important aspect of the temple rituals. Devotees offer prayers and Prasadam to the crows. Crow is considered the celestial carrier (vahana) of Lord Saneeswara, and feeding them is believed to appease the deity. In the event that crows do not partake of the offerings, it is seen as an omen, and the gathering, including the priests, pleads before Lord Saneeswara to seek forgiveness.
Festivals: The temple hosts annual festivals during the Tamil month of Aadi on Saturdays (July-August), with the third Saturday being of particular significance. Additionally, Sani (Saturn) transit days, which occur approximately every two and a half years, are observed with great devotion.

The Saneeswara Bhagavan Temple is a sacred and renowned pilgrimage site where devotees seek the blessings and relief from the adverse aspects of the planet Saturn. Its unique setting, legends, and traditions make it a significant cultural and spiritual destination for those seeking the divine grace of Lord Saneeswara.