Sikkal Navaneetheswarar Temple

About Sikkal Navaneetheswarar Temple

Located in Sikkal, approximately 5 kilometers from Nagapattinam, this revered Saivite temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his manifestation as Navaneetheswarar (Lord of Butter) and Vennailingeswarar. According to temple tradition, the sage Vasishtar fashioned a Shiva lingam from butter churned from milk that flowed from the celestial cow Kamadhenu after she bathed in the sacred pond. When the sage attempted to lift the lingam, it adhered to his hand, giving the town its name Sikkal (meaning stuck). The temple is the 83rd among the Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalams and one of 72 Maadakoil temples constructed by Chola King Kochengat Cholan. The presiding deity's consort is Goddess Velnedunkanni Amman, also revered as one of the 51 Shakthi Peedams. The temple is particularly celebrated for the miraculous sweating of Lord Murugan's idol during the Aippasi Soorasamharam festival immediately after he receives his Vel (spear) from his mother, symbolizing his battle-readiness.

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