Tirukkollikkadu Sri Agneeswarar Temple
Tirukkollikkadu Sri Agneeswarar Temple is one of the ancient Shiva temples of Thiruvarur District and one of the Tevaram Paadal Petra Sthalams praised by Saint Thirugnana Sambandar.
The presiding deity is Sri Agneeswarar, also known as Kollikkadar and Thee Vanna Nathar. The Divine Mother is Panjinum Melladi Ammai, also known as Mridu Pada Nayaki.
The temple has an extraordinary connection with Saneeswarar, who is worshipped here as Pongu Saneeswarar. Unlike the usual image of Saturn as a planet associated only with difficulties and delays, Saneeswarar at Tirukkollikkadu represents the rise that comes through discipline, hard work, patience, justice and perseverance.
This is the reason the temple has become especially famous among devotees seeking:
- Business growth
- Career advancement
- Employment
- Recovery from financial setbacks
- Improvement in income
- Removal of repeated obstacles
- Stability in professional life
- Success after prolonged struggle
- Relief from difficult Saturn periods
- Prosperity and wealth
- Strength to overcome delays and disappointments
The most striking feature of Pongu Saneeswarar is that He holds a plough, symbolising the dignity of labour and the principle that genuine prosperity comes through sincere effort.
The temple is therefore particularly meaningful for business owners, entrepreneurs, traders, farmers, professionals, employees and anyone working hard to rebuild their financial or professional life.
The temple is also associated with Ardra (Thiruvathirai) Nakshatra, making it an important star-related Shiva temple as well.
| Moolavar | Sri Agneeswarar |
|---|---|
| Goddess | Sri Mridu Pada Nayaki (Panjin Melladiyal) |
| Tradition | Shaivam |
| Theertham | Agni Theertham |
| Timings | Weekdays: 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM | 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM Saturdays: 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM (Continuously open) |
Best Time to Visit
- Best for Business & Prosperity: Any Month: Because business difficulties and financial obstacles can arise at any time, there is no need to wait for a particular month for business-related worship.
- Best for Saneeswarar Worship: Saturdays: If your primary purpose is Saturn Pariharam, Saturday is traditionally preferred.
- Best for Major Saturn Worship: Sani Peyarchi: If your purpose is specifically connected with Saturn transit, Shani Peyarchi is the major occasion. However, it is also the busiest period.
- Best for Siva Devotion: Margazhi: Margazhi is particularly beautiful for Shiva devotees because of Tiruvathirai.
- Best for Comfortable Travel: For a quieter pilgrimage, weekdays outside major festival periods are preferable.
Why this temple is a Parigara Sthalam
Tirukkollikkadu is primarily renowned as a Saneeswarar Parihara and Anugraha Sthalam.
But its spiritual purpose goes beyond merely removing Saturn Dosha.
The temple represents the transformation of hardship into strength, delay into maturity, effort into achievement and loss into recovery.
This makes it particularly suitable for people seeking business success.
Saturn in Jyotisha represents:
- Labour
- Discipline
- Responsibility
- Patience
- Persistence
- Justice
- Land and agriculture
- Workers
- Large organisations
- Long-term projects
- Delayed but lasting results
- Endurance
- Structure and stability
When these Saturn qualities are strengthened positively, a person can build something that lasts.
The plough held by Pongu Saneeswarar is therefore highly meaningful. It represents the principle:
“Work sincerely, remain patient, and prosperity will grow.”
The temple is traditionally associated with prosperity, wealth, recovery from losses and professional progress. Recent temple coverage specifically describes Pongu Saneeswarar as a deity associated with prosperity and progress for farmers, business people and those seeking advancement in life.
Who should worship?
- Those undergoing the seven-and-a-half-year Saturn cycle (where Saturn is positioned in the 12th, 1st, or 2nd house from their birth sign)
- Ashtama Sani (Saturn in the 8th house)
- Kandaka Sani (Saturn in the 4th, 7th, or 10th house)
- Those currently in the *Saturn Dasa* or *Bhukti* phase must perform worship dedicated to Saturn. Doing so will provide the mental strength to withstand any adverse effects.
- Business owners facing severe financial losses, stagnation, or heavy debts.
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Om Kaakadhwajaaya Vidmahae, Khadga Hastaaya Dheemahi | Tanno Mandah Prachodayaat ||
Meaning: Om. Let us meditate on the deity who has a crow on his banner and a sword in his hand. May that slow-moving Lord Shani illumine our minds and inspire our intellect.
Parigaram Items
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Black Sesame Seeds | To Light Lamps |
| Sesame Oil | To Light Lamps |
| Black Urad Dal | Used in offerings |
| Iron Items | Donated to the needy |
| Blue Water Lily | Archanai |
| Black Cloth (Vastra) | Offered to Sani Bhagawan |
| Vanni Tree Leaves | Archanai |
How to perform Parigaram at home
- Light a lamp with sesame oil on Saturday evening.
- Chant the Sani Gayatri Mantra 108 times or as many times as possible.
- Donate black sesame seeds or sesame oil to those in need.
- Offering food to people with disabilities, daily wage workers, those working in sanitation and other unhygienic environments, the elderly, or the destitute is considered a highly beneficial remedy.
- Offering food to crows on Saturdays, especially curd rice mixed with sesame seeds, is one of the traditional remedies.
- Recite the Hanuman Chalisa or chant Hanuman mantras.
- These remedies are based on spiritual beliefs. Rather than worshipping Lord Sani out of fear, it is especially beneficial to give importance to discipline, patience, honesty, and helping others.
Sthala Puranam (Legend)
Saneeswarar's Penance
Saneeswarar carries out the divine responsibility of giving the results of one's karma. Human beings and Devas feared Saturn because his influence could bring difficult periods, delays and hardships.
Saneeswarar became deeply concerned that people were fearing him for carrying out the duty assigned to him by the Divine.
Following the guidance of Sage Vasishta, Saneeswarar came to the ancient Keeralathur, the former name associated with Tirukkollikkadu, and performed intense penance to Lord Shiva.
Saneeswarar worshipped Shiva with devotion and surrendered before Him.
Lord Shiva appeared before Saneeswarar in the form of Agni – divine fire.
The Lord blessed Saneeswarar and transformed his presence at this sacred place into a benevolent form known as Pongu Saneeswarar.
The word Pongu signifies rising, flourishing and abundance.
From that time, Saneeswarar became a powerful giver of blessings at Tirukkollikkadu. Devotees come here not merely to seek relief from Saturn's difficulties but also to receive Saturn's positive grace.
This is why Tirukkollikkadu has a special place among Saneeswarar temples.
Nala and the Recovery of Lost Wealth
The temple has a strong connection with King Nala, whose story is closely associated with Saturn.
Nala suffered severe losses during the difficult influence of Saneeswarar. He lost his kingdom, wealth and prosperity and passed through a period of great hardship.
After worshipping at Tirunallar, Nala came to Tirukkollikkadu and worshipped Agneeswarar and Saneeswarar.
Through the grace of Shiva and Pongu Saneeswarar, Nala regained the prosperity and position that he had lost.
This tradition gives Tirukkollikkadu a particularly powerful association with recovery after financial loss.
For this reason, people who have suffered business losses, financial setbacks or prolonged professional difficulties come here seeking a fresh beginning.
Agni Bhagavan and Agneeswarar
Another important Sthala Purana concerns Agni Bhagavan.
Agni lost his power and brilliance and came to this sacred place to worship Lord Shiva.
Agni performed worship at Tirukkollikkadu and received the grace of Shiva. The Lord appeared in the form of divine fire and restored Agni's strength.
Because Agni worshipped Shiva here, the Lord came to be known as Agneeswarar.
The reddish appearance associated with the Shiva Lingam is traditionally connected with this Agni association. The Lord is also called Thee Vanna Nathar – the Lord of fire-like radiance.
Parigaram (Remedy)
For Business & Prosperity: Devotees offer black clothes and black sesame seeds (Ellu) to Sani Bhagavan. Lighting sesame oil lamps (Nallennai Deepam) specifically in sets of 8 or 9 on Saturdays removes hurdles in business deals.
Naivedyam (Food Offering): Offering Ellu Sadam (Sesame rice) and Uzhundu Vadai (Urad dal vada) to Lord Sani and distributing it to the poor is considered a highly potent remedy for financial recovery.
Mental Peace: Offering Oomatham (Datura) flowers to Lord Sani here is said to cure psychological stress and confusion caused by heavy financial losses.
What to do when you visit
For a business-focused visit, do not rush directly to Saneeswarar.
Begin with Agneeswarar, because Shiva is the principal deity of the temple and Saneeswarar himself received the Lord's grace here.
Suggested Darshan Order
Vinayaka → Agneeswarar → Panjin Melladi Ammai → Pongu Saneeswarar → Mahalakshmi → Navagrahas → Bhairava → final prayer
Spend a few moments before Pongu Saneeswarar and consciously remember the symbolism of the plough.
Instead of praying only:
“Remove my problems.”
pray:
“Give me the strength, discipline, wisdom and opportunity to overcome my problems through honest effort.”
This is particularly appropriate to the spiritual character of this temple.
Before You Visit
Thirukollikadu is a small, quiet village. While there are basic stalls outside the temple during weekends, it is highly recommended to purchase specific pooja items (like black cloth, pure sesame oil, and Ellu) from the nearby larger towns of Thiruthuraipoondi or Thiruvarur before reaching the village. Saturdays witness massive crowds, so plan to arrive either very early around 6:30 AM or during the evening hours.
Special Rituals / Abhishekam
The most monumental ritual is the Sani Peyarchi Homam, conducted when Saturn transits from one zodiac sign to another. Grand Abhishekam is performed using milk, tender coconut, curd, and special herbal oils to appease Saturn and invoke his "Pongu" (prospering) nature.
Learn More
Shani is the divine personification of the planet Saturn and the supreme enforcer of karma, time, and cosmic justice in Hindu mythology and Vedic astrology. Born to Surya (the sun god) and Chhaya (the goddess of shadow). Depicted with a dark or blue-black complexion, carrying a sword, dagger, or scepter, and typically riding a crow or a buffalo. Regarded as a slow-moving deity (Sanaischara) who values deep humility, realism, and discipline over arrogance and ego. Rather than a malicious punisher, Shani acts as a strict teacher who uses delays, restrictions, and hard work to break false ego and instill resilience. He dispenses exact results based entirely on an individual's past and present thoughts, speech, and actions. Key Transits: Associated with significant astrological periods like Sade Sati (a 7.5-year cycle) and Shani Mahadasha (a 19-year planetary period) which test patience and restructure life for long-term stability.
Charity / Daana
- Donate black sesame seeds.
- Donate sesame oil.
- Donate black-colored clothes to those in need.
- Donate iron items.
- Donate footwear and essential items to the poor.
- Donate black-colored grains such as black gram (urad dal).
- Offer food to the poor, elderly, and destitute.
- Provide necessary assistance to people with disabilities and daily wage workers.
- Offer food to crows.
- Perform Annadanam (food donation) on Saturdays, according to your ability.
Important: Donations are best offered not merely to “appease” Lord Shani, but with the sincere intention of helping alleviate the suffering of others. Honesty, patience, discipline, hard work, and helping others are also considered important virtues associated with Lord Shani.
Key Facts
Favorable / Unfavorable Signs
Rishabam (Taurus), Mithunam (Gemini), Kanni (Virgo), Thulaam (Libra), Makaram (Capricorn), Kumbam (Aquarius)
Festivals
- Sani Peyarchi: The grandest event drawing lakhs of devotees.
- Maha Shivaratri (Feb-Mar): Celebrated with traditional fervor.
- Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (Dec-Jan).
How to Reach
By Road: Thirukollikadu is located approximately 30 km South of Thiruvarur and about 10-15 km from Thiruthuraipoondi. Buses from Thiruvarur going towards Thiruthuraipoondi pass through the main road; from the junction, you can hire an auto to the temple.
By Train: Thiruthuraipoondi Railway Station is the nearest local railhead. The major junction is Thiruvarur.
By Air: Trichy International Airport is the nearest, located about 115 km away.
Nearby Temples
| Temple | Distance |
|---|---|
| Arulmigu Piravimarundheeswarar Temple | 15 km |
| Sri Thyagaraja Swamy Temple, Thiruvarur | 30 km |
Location Map
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Jyotishacharya S. Sermaraj M.B.A. · HinduPanchangam.in · 11 Sep 2026