- October 12, 2025
| Sivasthalam Name | Arulmigu Navaneetheswarar Temple |
|---|---|
| Moolavar (Presiding Deity) | Navaneetheswarar, Vennaippiraan (Lord of Butter) |
| Amman/Thayar (Consort) | Velnedunganni, Sakthiyayatakshi |
| Sthala Vriksham (Holy Tree) | Malligai (Jasmine) |
| Theertham (Holy Water Body) | Ksheerapushkarani, Paarkulam (Milk Pond) |
| Puranic Name | Mallikaranyam, Thiruchikkal |
| Town/Village | Sikkal |
| District | Nagapattinam |
Thennādudaiya Sivanē Pōtri
Ennāttavarkkum Iraivā Pōtri
The Arulmigu Velnedunganni Amman Sametha Navaneetheswarar Temple, Sikkal, located in the Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu, is one of the famous shrines of the Saivite tradition. This temple is renowned not only for its Svayambhu (self-manifested) Shiva Lingam formed of butter but also as the place where Lord Murugan, known as Singaravelar, received his Vel (spear) from his mother, and for the miracle of the idol sweating during the Aippasi Soorasamharam festival. It is the 83rd among the Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalams (Temples glorified in Thevaram hymns) on the Southern bank of the Kaveri river. It is also one of the 72 Maadakoil (temples built on an elevated structure) constructed by the Chola King Kochengat Cholan.
In Puranic times, Sage Vasishtar established an ashram in this region, which was then called Mallikaranyam (Jasmine Forest), and worshipped Lord Shiva. Kamadhenu, the celestial cow, was cursed to have a tiger face after consuming meat during a famine. As advised by Lord Shiva, she came to this place and bathed in the Theertham, which is now called Paarkulam (Milk Pond) or Ksheerapushkarani. Her milk flowed profusely, filling the pond with milk. Sage Vasishtar churned this milk into butter and fashioned a Shiva Lingam out of it, which he worshipped. When the puja was complete and the sage tried to lift the Lingam, it got ‘Sikkal’ (stuck) to his hand. Thus, the town came to be known as Sikkal. The Lord, having been formed from butter, is called Vennaippiraan (Lord of Butter) or Navaneetheswarar.
The primary miracle of this Sthalam is that, during the Aippasi Kanda Shashti festival, immediately after Singaravelar receives the Vel (spear) from his mother, the idol of Murugan breaks out in a sweat, displaying his fierce battle-readiness (Veeravesham). Even when wiped with a silk cloth, the sweat appears again like beads of pearls. Hence, the proverb “Sikkalil Vel Vangi, Senthooril Samharam” (Receiving the Vel in Sikkal and performing the Samharam in Thiruchendur) is famous. The Mother Goddess is called Velnedunganni Amman because she bestowed the powerful Vel upon Murugan. This Sthalam is also considered one of the 51 Shakthi Peedams of the Goddess.
It is a Maadakoil built by Kochengat Cholan. It has a 7-tiered, 80-foot high Rajagopuram (main tower) at the front, and inside is the iron-pillared Kalyana Mandapam (wedding hall). Within the premises are shrines for Vinayagar (Ganesha) in the South and Dandapani (Murugan) in the North. In the second prakaram (circumambulatory path) are shrines for Saneeswarar, Dakshinamoorthy, Thirumagal (Lakshmi), Durga, Chandisar, and Navagraha (nine planets). At the center, on the elevated Kattumalai structure (reached by 12 steps) are:
In the lower section is the shrine for Velnedunganni Amman (with a sculpture depicting her giving the Vel in the upper section). In the northern prakaram is the separate temple for Kolavamanaperumal. In the northwest corner is the shrine for Anjaneyar. It is believed that the Murugan idols of Ettukudi, Enkan, and Sikkal were all sculpted by the same sculptor.
Thirugnanasambandar’s hymn from the 2nd Thirumurai:
Madankol vaalaikuthi kollum manamalar poykai soozh
Thidankol maamaraiyoravar malkiya sikkalul
Vidankol kandathu vennai pperumaanadi
Meviya adaindhavaa mummadi yaaravar allal arupparae.
Devotees pray here for relief from hardships. Once prayers are answered, they perform archana (special prayer) by offering butter during the noon puja on Amavasya (new moon) and Pournami (full moon) days. Performing the “Shatru Samhara Thrisadai” archana is believed to remove troubles caused by enemies.
Sikkal Singaravelar Temple Festivals
Morning: 05:00 AM to 12:00 PM Evening: 04:00 PM to 9:00 PM Special worship is conducted on Pradosham and festival days.
How to Reach Sikkal Singaravelar Temple
Sikkal is located 5 km west of Nagapattinam on the road to Thiruvarur.
Arulmigu Navaneetheswarar Temple, Sikkal Post, Nagapattinam District, PIN – 611108.
Contact Numbers: 📞 +91-4365-245452, +91-4365-245350
