Description
The presiding deity is Dharbaranyeswarar and is believed to have been made of dharba grass. The worship is also centered on the icon of planet Saturn, called Saniswarar, originally treated as the door keeper of the shrine. The tradition is to worship Saniswarar before entering the inner sanctum of Lord Shiva.
History
According to legend, a Chola king named Mucukunta obtained a boon from Indra and wished to receive an image of Thyagaraja Swamy, the presiding deity in the temple reposing on the chest of reclining Vishnu. Indra tried to misguide the king and had six other images made, but the king chose the right image at Tiruvarur. All the seven places are villages situated in the river kaveri delta. All seven Thyagaraja images are said to dance when taken in procession. The temples with dance styles are regarded as Saptha Vidangam.
Importance/Significance
This temple is one of the nine Navagraha Temples in India. It is dedicated to Shani Bhagawan (Saturn God). This temple is known for its Navagraha Dosham Puja.
Facts/Mythology
The term Navagraha denotes the nine celestial bodies which are central to astrological calculations (and beliefs) (and not the nine planets as it is frequently erroneously translated). The Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and the two shadow planets Rahu and Ketu constitute the Navagraha. In every horoscope, some planets are well placed and some are badly placed. Hence, we go through success and failures, happiness and sorrows in various aspects of life in different time slots in varying degrees. Certain planetary conflagrations give rise to strong negative effects called “Doshas”. The Navagraha Temples Puja eliminates the ill effect of these planetary movements.
Festivals/Events/Gatherings
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