Sri Enthira Saneeswarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Address

Sri Enthira Saneeswarar Temple, Tiruerikuppam – 606 903. Kalambur Post, Tiruvannamalai district

Diety

Endhira Saneeswarar

Introduction

Sri Saneeswara in the sanctum sanctorum graces in a 6.5 feet tall Shivalinga form placed on a peeta of 2.5 feet width. As in Shivalinga, Moon and Sun have their places on the head. His crow vehicle is in the middle. The six faced (Shatkona) yantra with Namashivaya, basic mantras as Beejakshara and Mahalakshmi mantras are inscribed in the Linga. The temple is in the midst of green fields. The entrance of the temple has a sculpture showing Sani Bhagwan in a Rath (car) drawn by 5 crows. There are also paintings of all planets with their vahans in the front hall. As there was no proper shrine earlier, even today the temple has no roof. Sunlight, wind, rain, all fall on the temple directly. It is suggested to offer archanas with Vilwa leaves related to Shiva worship. Special abishek is performed on Saturdays between 6.00-7.30 a.m. covering the Sani Hora time followed by special pujas in the Yagasala. On the Mattu Pongal day, the day next to Pongal, abishek is performed with 108 pots of milk. Saturn-Sani Bhagwan is the son of Sun God. The sacred spring bearing His name-Bhaskara Theertham – is among the fields. Abishek is perfomed with this spring water and offered as Prasad to devotees.

Puranic Significance

Against the idol form, Sri Sani Bhagwan graces in the Erikuppam temple in the form of Shivalinga. With due regard to the Easwara title Sani Bhagwan enjoys, a king built this temple for the planet installing Him as a linga with the yantras. The temple disappeared due to ravages of time leaving the Linga alone in the open space. Later, people built this temple. As He graces as a Linga with Yantras, He is known as Enthira Saneeswara. Sri Saneeswara Bhagwan is the principal and presiding deity in the temple. There is a shrine for Lord Varasiddhi Vimayaka only in the prakara-corridor.

Beliefs

Those who may have to face adverse consequences due to the transit of this planet and those who may have this planet adversely placed in their very horoscopes, pray to Saturn for relief and for diluting the intensity of the effects thereof. Sani transition commonly known as Sani Peyarchi is observed in the temple with a five day puja and homas. People seek his blessing for child boon, wedding and success in litigations. Saturn is also the authority to decide the longevity of lives and professional successes. Hence, people pray to Him for a long life and development in their respective trades. They light lamps in His shrine with black dhil oil known as Ellu Ennai in Tamil.

Special Features

We are worshipping Sani Bhagwan in idol form in almost all temples. He is Shivalinga form in this temple with a Yantra in the Linga. Yantra is a digramatic representation of the power of the deity we worship.