Friday, January 13, 2017

Navaneetheswarar Temple, Sikkal – Legends

Navaneetheswarar Temple, Sikkal – Legends

Sikkal:

As per legend, Once, the divine cow, Kamadenu consumed meat during a drought. On knowing the unholy act of Kamadenu, Lord Shiva cursed the Kamadenu to turn into a cow with the head of a tiger. She begged forgiveness from Lord Shiva. On seeing her plight, Lord Shiva advised her to visit this temple, take a dip in the temple tank and worship him. She did as advised and regained her original form.

During her dip in the tank, the milk from the udders filled the temple tank. Thus, the temple tank came to be called as Ksheera Puskarini / Parkulam. The milk eventually got frozen and became butter. During this epoch, Sage Vasishta was having his hermitage in this place amidst the Jasmine (Malligai) forest. Thus, the place came to be called as Malligai Vanam. He came to the temple for his regular worship and saw the butter in the temple tank.

He created a Lingam using the butter and offer his prayers to the Lingam. After completing his worship, he tried to the move the Lingam, but it got stuck in the Jasmine plants and could not be moved. Thus, the place came to be called as Sikkal (to get entwined). As Lord Shiva was made of butter (Vennai), he came to be called as Thiru Vennai Nathar / Vennai Piran / Vennai Lingeswarar.

Singaravelan:

As per legend, the Devas requested Lord Murugan to protect them from the onslaught of demon Surapadman. Lord Murugan decided to annihilate the demon for the welfare of the Devas. He got his spear (Vel) from his mother Parvathy here, went to Thiruchendur and destroyed him (Soora Samharam). As Goddess Parvathy gave spear (Vel) to Lord Murugan, she came to be called as Velnedunkanni.

As he received Vel from her mother, Lord Murugan came to be called as Singaravelan. During Soorasamhara festival, Lord Murugan would obtain the spear from her mother Parvathy the day before Soora Samharam. He would annihilate the Surapadman the next day with the spear he got from his mother. It is said that Lord Murugan would appear disturbed and would not able to manage the power of the Vel & would start sweating.

This phenomenon could be witnessed even today, a day before Soora Samharam. The priests try to wipe the sweat using silk cloth, but it won’t stop. The salts formed due to the sweat can be seen on the body. This phenomenon was recorded by a commissioner of East India Company in his note during British period.

Kola Vamana Perumal:

As per legend, the Devas approached Lord Vishnu and complained about the troubles caused by the demon King Mahabali. King Mahabali was known for his devotion towards Lord Shiva. So, Lord Vishnu came to Sikkal and created the Gaya Theertham. He took bath in the Theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva before taking the Vamana Avatara to kill Mahabali. Lord Shiva blessed him with enough strength to annihilate Mahabali. Hence, Lord Vishnu came to be called as Kola Vamana Perumal. The shrine of Kola Vamana Perumal can be seen adjacent to the sanctum.

Muchukunda got relief from Brahmahatya dosha here:

As per legend, Chola Emperor Muchukunda Chakravarthy mistakenly killed a Brahmin and got afflicted with Brahmahatya dosha. He worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple and got relief from the dosha. In gratitude, he built this temple.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

It is believed that Lord Vishnu, Murugan, Kamadenu, Vasishta, Narada, Agastya, Viswamitra, Gauthama, Kathyayana, Muchukunda Chola and Devas had worshipped Lord Shiva here.