Navaneetheswarar Temple, Sikkal – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with seven tiered rajagopuram. The rajagopuram is about 80 feet in height. The temple covers an area of about two acres and has three prakarams. It is a significant temple for all branches of Hinduism as it enshrines Lord Shiva (Shaivism), Goddess Parvathy (Saktism), Vishnu & Hanuman (Vaishnavism) and Murugan (Kaumaram). Kalyana Mandapam can be seen in front of the rajagopuram.
The mandapam is supported by iron pillars. This mandapam measures 300 feet in length and 60 feet in breadth. It was constructed in 1932 and can accommodate more than 4000 people. A beautiful painting depicting the marriage of goddess Parvathy with Lord Shiva can be seen in the Kalyana Mandapam. Karthigai Mandapam can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram.
This Mandapam is also called as Vasantha Mandapam. This Mandapam contains paintings depicting the legends related to Lord Murugan. Abhishekam is performed to Singaravelan in this mandapam during Karthigai festival. It is believed that King Kochengat Chola built around 70 Maadakovils. This Temple is considered one among them. The unique feature about these temples are that it is not easily approachable by an elephant.
He built these temples at an elevation and there are few steps need to be climbed before seeing Lord in the sanctum. Also, the entrance to the sanctum would be so narrow that elephants cannot enter it. There is a shrine for Sundara Ganapathy at the ground level near the steps of the Mada Kovil. It is mandatory to worship this Vinayaga before climbing the steps to reach the Mada Kovil.
The Mada Kovil can be reached after climbing 12 flight of steps. The Mada Kovil consists of sanctum, antrala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. Thyagaraja Shrine can be seen in the maha mandapam. It enshrines a Maragatha Lingam. It is not part of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams. Shrines of Vinayaga and Dhandapani can be seen at the entrance of the Mada Kovil. Nataraja and Utsava idols can be seen in the ardha mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Navaneetheswarar / Vennai Nathar / Vennai Piran / Vennai Lingeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam on a square avudaiyar. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested). Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Saneeswarar, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location.
Dakshinamoorthy is shown without the Sanakathi sages. Sculptures of Vishnu and Brahma in worshipping posture can be seen on either sides of Lingothbhavar in the koshta behind the sanctum. Thus, devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). There is a relief depicting Kamadenu, Sage Vasishta and other sages worshiping a Shiva Linga can be seen on the sanctum wall.
Mother is called as Velnedunkanni / Satyaayadhakshi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in the ground level on the right side below the Mada Kovil. She is in standing posture. Sculpture of Goddess Parvathy presenting the Vel to Lord Murugan can be seen in her shrine.
Though it is a Shiva Temple, it is more famous for Lord Murugan. The Temple is also famously called as Sikkal Singaravelan Temple. Singaravelan Shrine is facing towards south. This shrine enshrines an image of Singaravelan with his consorts Valli & Devasena in standing posture. This Idol would sweat on the day before Soora Samharam celebrated during the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct-Nov).
Lord Murugan of this Temple is praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his revered Thirupugazh hymns. There is a shrine for Kola Vamana Perumal in the northern prakaram of the temple premises. This shrine consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Garuda can be seen in the mukha mandapam, facing towards the sanctum.
The sanctum enshrines an image of Kola Vamana Perumal in standing posture along with his consorts Sridevi & Bhoodevi. Stucco image of Vaikuntanathan can be seen in the mukha mandapam. There is a separate shrine for Varada Anjaneyar on the North-western corner of this temple. Shrines & idols of Sundara Vinayakar, Arumugam, Gajalakshmi, 63 Nayanmars, Saptha Rishis, Karthikai Vinayakar, Vishwanathar with Visalakshi, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Suryan and Chandran can be seen in the temple premises.
The temple has two wooden chariots. One chariot is used during the Chithirai festival and the other chariot is used during Skanda Sashti festival. The temple also has a silver chariot, kept in a separate mandapam in the south eastern part of the sanctum. Theerthams associated with this temple are Ksheera Pushkarini (Parkulam), Gaya Theertham and Lakshmi Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Jasmine (Malligai) Plant. Nandavanam can be found in the outer prakaram immediately after the rajagopuram.
