This is the third temple in the Sapta Sthana temples of Nagapattinam. This temple is more famous as Sikkal Singara Velar Temple of Shri Muruga. It is situated at a distance of 7 kilometers from Nagapattinam on Nagapattinam - Thiruvarur route. It is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri. The original temple must have existed even before the sixth century and believed to have been built by King Muchukunda in the third century. It was converted into a Mada Kovil by Chola King Kochengat Chola. This is one of the 28 Shiva temples in which we come across a shrine for Lord Vishnu. It is also considered as a Shakti Peetha. Saint Arunagirinathar has praised Lord Muruga of this temple. Inscriptions in the temple denote the contributions made by the Pandya kings, Vijayanagar Kings and The Maratha kings in the upliftment and maintenance of the temple.
Moolavar: Shri Navaneedhishwarar, Shri Palvennainayanar, Shri Vennaiperuman, Shri Vennailingeshwarar
Devi: Shri Satyaydaakshi, Shri Velnedunkanni
Pooja / Agama: Kaarana Agama
Kshetra Vruksha: Jasmine
Sacred Theertha: Kshirapushkarini, Palkulam, Gayatri Theertha, Lakshmi Theertha,
Puranik Name: Malligai (Jasmine) Aranya, Thirusikkal
Present Name: Sikkal
Kshetra Purana:
1. Sikkal: According to the Puran, once there was a great famine. The divine cow Kamadhenu consumed meat due to scarcity of food. When Lord Shiva came to know about this he cursed Kamadhenu. He turned her into a cow having tiger head. When she begged for forgiveness he directed her to this place. He advised her to take a dip in the temple tank and worship him. While she was taking a dip in the temple tank, milk from her udder filled the temple tank. Hence the temple tank is known as Kshirapushkarini or Palkulam. Eventually the milk got frozen and it became butter (vennai). Kamadhenu worshiped Lord Shiva and got rid of her curse. Earlier to this, Sage Vasishtha had reached this place which was known as Jasmine forest (Malligai Vanam). He was performing penance at this place. He used to visit the temple regularly and once he saw the butter in the temple tank. He made a Shiva Linga out of the butter and tried to remove it after his worship. The lingam got stuck in the Jasmine plants and hence the place got the name Sikkal (in Tamil it means getting entangled or entwined). Since the Linga was made of butter, Lord Shiva is praised as Lord Vennai Nathar and Lord Vennai Lingeshwarar.
2. Singara Velar: According to the Puran, the Devas were being tormented by Surapadman and other asuras. They went to Lord Muruga for help. Lord Muruga approached Goddess Parvati Devi and got a spear (Vel in Tamil) from her. Taking blessing from his mother He proceeded to Thiruchendur with the Shaktivel and destroyed the demon and asuras. Hence he is praised as Singara Velar (Lord holding a spear). This event is celebrated as a grand festival named Sura Samhar. Goddess Parvati is praised as Vel Nedunkanni as she gave the spear to Lord Muruga.
3. Kolavamana Perumal: Once the Devas and Rishis sought the help of Lord Mahavishnu for protection from the cruelty of the demon Emperor Mahabali. Lord Mahavishnu took Vaman avatar and came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva. He got the blessings and power from Lord Shiva to annihilate Emperor Mahabali. Hence Lord Mahavishnu is praised here as Lord Kolavamana Perumal.
4. It is believed that idols of Lord Muruga at Sikkal, Enkan and Ettukudi were sculpted by the same sculptor. When the sculptor made the first idol at Sikkal on the instruction of King Mutharasan, the King did not want the sculptor to make similar idols. He cut the right hand thumb of the sculptor so that he will not make any more idols. Later, Lord Muruga appeared in front of the sculptor and ordered him to make a similar idol for the temple at Ettukudi. He followed the instructions given by Lord Muruga and completed the work without the right thumb. When the idol was installed at the Ettukudi temple, the King came to know about the same. And he blinded the sculptor. But again Lord Muruga directed him to make a similar idol for the temple at Enkan. The sculptor was working with his daughter’s help and followed the instructions given by the Lord. While working with a chisel he inflicted an injury to his daughter, a few drops of blood from the injury splashed on the sculptor’s eye. He rubbed his eyes shouting En (my in Tamil) Kan (eye in the Tamil). At that very instant his eye sight came back. When the King came to know about this incident, he came to this place and apologized to the sculptor.
5. Once Emperor Muchukunda was afflicted with Brahmahatya dosha for killing a Brahmin. He worshiped Lord Shiva at this place and got relieved of the dosha. As a token of gratitude he built this temple.
Those who worshiped at this place:
Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Muruga, Sage Narada, Sage Agastya, Sage Vasishtha, Sage Vishwamitra, Sage Gautama, Sage Katyayana, King Muchukunda, Kamadhenu and Gods.
Special Features:
1. Shrines of all the branches of Hinduism are found in this temple.
2. Lord Dakshinamurti is depicted without his disciples.
3. Lord Hanuman is praised as Lord Varada Anjaneya.
4. A relief depicts Sages and divine cow Kamadhenu worshiping a Shiva Linga.
5. A sculpture depicts Goddess Parvati presenting a spear to Lord Muruga.
6. The idol of Singara Velar sweats on the day prior (before) the Sura Samhar festival in Aippasi.
7. Lord Muruga at this temple was praised by Shaiva Saint Arunagirinathar.
8. The temple has two wooden and one silver chariot.
About the temple:
The temple is revered by Shaiva Saints Appar and Sambandhar. The temple is spread over 2 acres. It is east facing with a seven tiered Rajagopuram and has three prakarams. There is a Kalyana Mandap in front of the temple. The Nandi idol is very huge. As this is a Mada Kovil, it has two floors and the second level can be reached by climbing the stairs. There is a second level Rajagopuram which is three tiered. The Shiva Linga is small and it has a square Avudayar (Base).
Koshtha murtis: Lord Vinayaka, Lord Brahma, Lord Shanishwarar and Goddess Durga Devi.
Near the Sanctum Sanctorum, we come across the shrine of Lord Chandikeshwar, Lord Somaskandarar, Lord Nataraja and Utsav Murti. Lord Vishnu is in a separate shrine in the northern prakaram and is praised as Lord Kolavaman Perumal. The shrine consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Mahamandap and Mukhamandap. His mount Garuda faces the Sanctum. By his sides, we have his consorts Goddess Bhumadevi and Goddess Sridevi. They are in standing posture. There is a stucco image of Vaikuntha in the Mukhamandap.
There is a separate shrine for Lord Hanuman in the northwest corner and he is praised as Lord Varada Anjaneya.
In the second level we come across shrines of Lord Somaskanda, Lord Singar Velar, Lord Tyagaraja.
In the parikrama there are idols and shrines of Lord Ganesha, Shailesh Linga, 63 Nayanmars, Lord Karthigai Vinayaka, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Gajalakshmi Devi, Lord Shanmukha, Lord Bhairav, Navagraha, Lord Surya and Lord Chandra.
On the sanctum wall, we come across Sage Vasishtha and his disciples worshiping Lord Shiva and celestial cow Kamadhenu.
The shrine of Ambika is on the right side of the front mandap. She graces the devotees in a standing position facing the south. There is a sculpture depicting Goddess Parvati presenting a spear (Vel in Tamil) to Lord Muruga.
In the idol of Lord Ganesha known as Lord Sundara Ganapati in the lower level and by its side we have steps to reach the upper level.
There is a Maragada (Emerald) vidanga. In the upper level, there is an idol of Lord Lingodbhavar. By the side of this idol we come across Lord Brahma with his mount Swan and Lord Vishnu with his mount Varaha worshiping the linga.
Lord Brahma is in Virasan posture with Akshaymala, a snake in the upper hand and flame in the right hand. He has a jata mukut. His front right hand is in chinmudra and palm leaves on the left hand.
Though this is the Shiva temple it is famous as Sikkal Singar Velar temple.
In Singara Velar shrine, we have Lord Shanmukha with his consorts Valli and Deivanai in standing posture. Lord Singara Velar faces the south. The idol sweats on the day before Sura Samhar festival in the month of Aippasi. In Kalyan Mandap, there are paintings which depict the marriage of Goddess Parvati Devi with Lord Shiva. In the Vasant Mandap there are paintings from Purana pertaining to Lord Muruga.
Prayers:
1. Devotees believe that by reciting the Shatrusamhar Trishati to Lord Singara Velar they will be shielded by their enemies.
2. Devotees pray for boon to Lord Anjaneya by offering curd rice.
3. Devotees worship Lord Shiva for relief from various difficulties. On getting their boon, they offer butter on New Moon and Full Moon days to Lord Vennaii Nathar as a mark of respect.
Poojas:
Daily Poojas: Six times a day (Ushatkaal pooja: 5.30 am, Kalasandhi pooja: 9 am, Ucchikal pooja: 12.30 noon, Sayamraksha pooja: 4.30 pm, Second pooja: 8 pm (sandhi pooja), Ardhajama pooja: 9 pm)
In addition to these poojas there are regular pradosha poojas, special poojas on New Moon, Full Moon, Krittika Nakshatra, Sankatahara Chaturthi, Mondays and Fridays.
Festivals:
Chitrai (April-May): Annual Brahmostav festival
Vaikasi (May-June): Vishakha Nakshatra festival
Aani (June-July): Thirumanjanam
Aadi (July-August): Puram festival (festival on Poorva Phalguni Nakshatra day)
Aavani (August-Sept): Ganesh Chaturthi
Purattasi (Sept-Oct)): Navaratri
Aipassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek and Skandashashthi
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthigai
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathurai
Thai (Jan-Feb): Thai pusam (festival on Pushya nakshatra) and Pongal
Masi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri
Panguni (March-April): Panguni Uttiram
About Skanda Shashthi festival:
In Aipassi, a festival for Lord Singara Velar for 10 days is held which is known as Skanda Shashthi festival. According to Purana, Lord Muruga, received the spear (Vel) from Goddess Parvati Devi at Sikkal and slayed the demon Surapadman on the next day at Thiruchendur. After the Ratha festival on the fifth day, he receives the spear from Goddess Parvati Devi. He returns to the shrine with the spear he got from Goddess Parvati Devi on the same day. Sweat drops appear on the idol of Lord Muruga in his shrine after he receives the spear from his mother.
Timings: 5.30 am to 12.30 noon and 4 pm to 9 pm.
Address: Shri Navaneedhishwarar Temple (Shri Singara Velar temple), at Post Sikkal, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, 611108
Phone: +91 4365245452, +914365245350
Priest: 8608229929
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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