Sri Vennailingeswarar Temple

Overview

Sri Navaneetheswarar temple is located in the city of Sikkal, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu and is about 1000-2000 years old. The temple is 5 kilometres before Nagapattinam on the Tiruvaroor nagapattinam route on the main road. Although the presiding deity of the temple is Lord Navaneetheswarar with His consort Nedum Kanni Amman (Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi), it is popularly known as Sikkal Singaravelar temple. In the month of Iyppasi a ten day celebration is commended for Lord Muruga. On the fifth day after the fruition of auto celebration, ruler Muruga comes back to his Sannidhi with the weapon (vel) which he got from the goddess here. Following couple of hours sweat drops are seen on the statue of Lord Muruga, which is unimaginable. The nearby proverb is "Get the Vel in Sikkal and perform Surasamharam in Tiruchendoor.

About the Temple

It has all the three features of a temple known as Moorthi (Idol), Teertham (holy water) and sthalam. Arunagirinathar has sung in praise of this temple in his work Tirupugal. According to legends sweat appears on the deity of this temple, three hour after sweating, salts due to the sweat can be seen on the body. A commissioner of East India Company has indicated about this in his note. Even when it is raining outside sweat drops appears on the walls of the sannidhi and on the deity's body.

Singhara Velan Sannidhi is given more importance than the Sannidhis of presiding deity and goddess. Sikkal is known for Lord Singaravelar. The moment we spell Sikkal, Singaravelar comes to our mind. Sikkal played and important role in cine field, the music and songs portrays the pride of Singaravelar who obtained vel from goddess is seen facing toward sound in his sannidhi, just like Sri Nataraja Perumal seen facing toward south in Chitrambalam, after cosmic dance before Pathanjali Viyagrapatha Saint.

Three murugan icons of sikkil, Engan and Ettukudi are chosen and cut by the same sculptor. . When he cut the symbol with everything about the 6 countenances of the master with discrete ear ring openings, hands separate weapons and adjusted on the single leg of the peacock with space underneath the hook the lord needed to keep some other reproduction so he acquired the thumbs of the sculptor as an insurance. Indeed, even with this absence of thumbs the sculptor shaped a reproduction at Ettukudi for this the ruler uprooted the sculptor’s eyes. The Sculptor was guided by a heavenly voice to shape a more point by point singaravelan at Engan when he got both his thumbs and vision.

The ambal Satyaayadaakshi (Velnetunkanni) is one of the 54 sakthi peetams. The Soorasamharam is exceptionally popular here as murugan acquired the Vel from this shakti before continuing to Tiruchendur. There is an anjeneyar here who is extremely renowned in giving our wishes in the external praharam. The perumal Kolavaamana Perumal here is resting before he takes up the vamana avataram in the wake of going to Lord Shiva. This is the connecting complex.

About the Deity

Lord Vishnu of this spot favors the lovers with the hallowed name 'Kolavaamana Perumal' from a different sanctum. Viswaamitrar, Kaarthiyaayanar, Naaradar, Muchukunta Chakravarthi have venerated in this sacred spot. The four divinities Lord Siva, Perumal, Murugan and Hanuman offering blessings is a huge part of this temple. Arunagirinaathar has sung "Tiruppugazh" observing Lord Muruga of this spot. This is one of the 72 canopied sanctuaries assembled by Kochenkat Cholan. The devaas venerated Lord Muruga by offering Him "tirisathai" to shield their selves from the surge of Soorapadman. Henceforth, Lord Muruga put a conclusion to Soorapadman and spared the devaas. The conviction is that by offering the 'satru samhaara tiri sathai' request to God to Lord Muruga, we will be eased of adversaries' assault and harvest advantages, subsequent to Amman has presented Her shakthi as a Spear to Singaara Velan of this spot.

Legend and Stories

Devas reported to Tirumal, the troubles caused to them by Mogabali Chakravarti who is ruling the earth. Lord Tirumal manifested himself and took the form of Vaman, and reached Sikkal. He created the Gaya Teertham. He took holy nath in the theertham and prayed to Sri Navaneethaswarar to provide strength to destroy Magabalichakravarti, and the equipments requested by devas. Sri Navaneethaswarar appeared before him and blessed him with strength to destroy magabali. Tirumal destroyed Magabali Chakravarti and brought relief to devas. Tirumal temple is remaining as a pride to this temple in Sikkal. Now he is blessing the devotees with the name Kolavamana Perumal.

The legend says that amid a starvation, the celestial Kamadhenu of the radiant habitation expended meat and Lord Siva knowing this reviled the dairy animals to end up a tiger. The distress stricken tiger asked absolution to the Lord. The kind-hearted Lord told the tiger, take bath in the holy place Mallikaaranyam on the earth, offer your prayers to the Lord there and then you will be relieved of your curse. Accordingly, Kamadhenu came to this place, built a pond and when she took bath, milk from her udders flowed and the whole pond became a milk-pond. From this milk-pond gathered butter. As per the direction of Lord Siva, Sage Vasishta came to this sacred place, created a Lingam from the butter and worshipped. It was a problem to remove this Lingam from this place. So, the place came to be known as sikkal (In Tamil the term means problem).

Thanks Giving

Devotees perform archanas and offer vastras to Lord.

Significance

People pray to the Lord of this place to be relieved off from their hardships. Devotees perform archanas and offer vastras to Lord.

Nearby Places to Visit

1. Kayaroganeswarar Temple
2. Thanthondreeswarar Temple
3. Neelakandeswarar Temple
4. Pallavaneswarar Temple
5. Aranyeswarar Temple
6. Naganathar Temple

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

Railways

The nearest railway station is Sikkal Railway Station.

Road

Sikkal is about 4kms in the Nagapatinam-Tiruvarur route.

Temple Address

Sri Vennailingeswarar Temple / Navaneetheswarar Temple,
Sikkal, Nagapatinam, Tamil Nadu,
Pincode 611108.