Ramanatha Swamy Temple, Thirunaraiyur
– Legends
Sani Dosha Nivarthi Sthalam:
The legend goes that King
Dasaratha, father of Lord Rama, was once ruling the entire world. Saturn was to
make its transit to Rohini star after Kiruthigai. King Dasaratha was informed
by sage Vasishta that this transit by Saturn to Rohini would be devastating for
the whole world as it would be punctuated with famine and drought causing
immense hardship to all the living beings. He asked Dasaratha to prevent it.
Dasaratha instantaneously set
out on his chariot and arrived at the star, Rohini. He saw Saturn moving in his
golden chariot in the direction of Rohini and tried to stop Saneeswaran by
force. Saneeswaran, though impressed with the King’s valour said that just his
looks can destroy anybody. However, king Dasaratha could not be harmed because
of the powers that he had accumulated through severe penance.
Dasaratha requested
Saneeswaran to spare Bhooma Devi and all the creatures living on it. Lord Saneeswaran
was pleased by the King’s concern for his people. He asked Dasaratha to go to Thirunaraiyur
and have a bath at the temple tank to have his wish fulfilled. King Dasaratha
did accordingly and Saneeswaran gave a darshan to Dasaratha and agreed to his
prayer. This
Temple is a Sani Dosha Nivarthi sthalam. This is the only place where he is
present with his wives Mandhi Devi and Jyeshta Devi and two sons Mandhi and
Kuligan.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Lord Rama and Anjaneya, during their return from Lanka to Ayodhya worshipped Shiva here.