Navaneetheswarar Temple, Sikkal – Religious
Significance
Mada
Kovils:
Kochengat Chola was an early Chola king and
one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is believed
to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an elephant in
its previous birth over the worship of the Lord Shiva. He had red eyes
during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer. His mother,
looking into the baby red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king,
Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was
named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and
built 70 Maadakovils,
temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the
sanctum, in the Chola empire. It is believed that this is one of the
temple built by him.
Paadal
Petra Sthalams:
This
Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal
Petra Sthalams glorified in the early
medieval Thevaram hymns. This
Temple is the 200th Devara
Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 83rd sthalam
on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.
Lord Murugan of this
Temple is praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his revered Thirupugazh
hymns.
Shiva Vishnu Temples:
There are about 28 temples in Tamil Nadu where shrines
of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are housed in the same temple complex. This
Temple is considered one among them.
Sakthi Peethas:
This
Temple is considered one among the Sakthi Peethas in Tamil Nadu.
