AgniBhagavan is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the name Agneeswarar and the place came to be known as Agnipuri. AgniBhagavan advised SuriyaBhagavan and to his wife Ushadevi and Sayadevi to seek blessing of Lord Shiva at Thirukollikadu. Lord Shiva pleased with devotion absolved them from the heat of the Sun. By the grace of Lord Shiva ‘Yamadharma’ was born to Ushadevi and Sani Bhagavan was born to Sayadevi.

Sani Bhagavan was very upset for he was being held responsible for all the woes of human being. He prayed Agneeswarar at Thirukollikadu after bathing in Agnitheertham. Lord Shiva gave him the Dharsan and praised him for being a just a planet. He appreciated his impartial justice based the deeds of human being he further pleased Saneeswara by asking him to reside in the temple as ‘Pongusani’ showering his blessings on devotees.

சனிபகவான் புன்முறுவல் பூத்த வண்ணம் பக்தர்களுக்கு அவரவர்கள் ஜாதகப்படி சனி தெசை, சனி புத்தி, ஏழரையாண்டுச் சனி, அஷ்ட மச் சனி, அர்த்தாஷ்டமச் சனி நடப்பிலுள்ளவர்களுக்கும், சனி பகவானால் ஏற்படும் தோஷம் உள்ளவர்களுக்கும் கருணை பாலிக்கிறார்.