Kuchanur - Sri Saneeswaran Temple

Kuchanur, a small village near Chinnamanur in Theni district, as does Thirunallar, has a separate temple for Lord Saneeswara, unlike other places where He is part of the Navagrahas.

Legend has it that King Dinakaran who once ruled Kalinganadu with Maninagaram as capital incurred Sani Bhagwan's wrath for Seven and half years. Dinakaran's son Chandiravadanan on coming to know of it through an astrologer went to a dense forest and sat on a penance in the midst of Senbagam, Sandalwood and Kongu trees near the bank of Surabi river to invoke the blessings of Lord Saneeswara to set his father free from the curse.

Moved by his prayers, Lord Saniswara appeared before him at a place called Senbaganallur and granted his prayers. The place later came to be called Kuchanur.

Kuchanur is one of the town Panchayat, is surrounded by channels and forests.

The moolavar (presiding deity) at the temple surfaced as a Suyambu and is in the shape of a linga, black in colour. Just adjacent to the moolavar, the urchavamoorthy (processional idol) finds a place.

He is taken out in procession once a year during temple festivities. A sub-temple dedicated to Lord Muruga (Subramaniaswamy Kovil) is located to the north of the Saneeswarar sannidhi and next to it is one for Lord Vigneswara.

To the left is situated Lada sanyasi sannidhi. A few yards from Sani Bhagwan temple, again on the banks of the river, there is a shrine for Sonai Karuppannasamy, besides a Kannimar koil and Nagarkoil.

The river Surabhi, in keeping with its name, has water flowing throughout the year. Hence the name Jeevanadhi. It gets water from the Rajavaikal (channel) of Suruli river.

Devotees who visit the Sani Bhagwan temple have a dip in the Surabi river and proceed to offer worship to him. Poojas are performed in the early morning, during noon and in the evenings. Daily poojas and archanas are carried out according to agama sastras.

Only after feeding the crows that are around (crow is considered to be the vahanam (celestial carrier) of Sani Bhagwan) during uchikala poojas, prasadam is given to devotees.

At times when crows do not partake of the offering, the entire gathering including priests plead before Sani Bhagwan to forgive their mistakes.

It is said that there has never been an occasion when crows have not had the offering.

Ellu pongal (a mix of cooked rice and gingely powder) is a regular prasadam offered at the temple.

Every year festivals are held during the Tamil month of Aadi Saturdays during which devotees from far and near throng the shrine. Of the five Saturdays, the third Saturday has special significance since it is the day of festivity.

While not many may know about Kuchanur, devotees from southern parts of the State throng the temple during Sani Payerchi to seek His blessings.