Murugan (Singaravelar) temple · Sikkal, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India
The Sikkal Singaravelar Temple, at Sikkal near Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, is a temple complex whose presiding deity is Shiva as Navaneetheswarar (Vennainathar), with the goddess Vel Nedum Kanni Amman, while its fame rests on the shrine of Murugan as Singaravelar, The Hindu notes. It is formally Arulmigu Navaneetheswarar Tirukkoil (PIN 611 108).
Faith & Tradition
By tradition, Murugan received the Vel (lance) from his mother Parvati at Sikkal before defeating the demon Surapadman at Tiruchendur — hence the local saying 'get the Vel at Sikkal, perform Soorasamharam at Tiruchendur' (The Hindu; Nagapattinam district administration).
The name Navaneetheswarar ('lord of butter') comes from the legend that the sage Vasishta shaped a linga from butter from the temple tank, which then could not be moved; the tank is linked to the story of Kamadhenu regaining her form here (The Hindu; district administration). Dinamalar notes that the temple also has a Kolavamana Perumal shrine, is counted among the 64 Shakti Peethams, and is one of the 72 'madakkoil' temples built by the Chola king Kochenganan; Arunagirinathar sang of its Murugan in the Thiruppugazh.
Heritage
The seven-tier main rajagopuram, about 70 feet high, was rebuilt in 1933, according to The Hindu.
Seven-tier rajagopuram with sculptures of the battle against Surapadman (The Hindu; district administration).
Plan Your Visit
The Kanda Sashti festival draws large crowds; confirm dates with the temple.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 6 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Ten-day festival in which Murugan receives the Vel from the goddess (Nagapattinam district administration).
Also celebrated, with abhishekam to Singaravelar (district administration).
Location
Sikkal is a few kilometres from Nagapattinam; buses run to Sikkal (Nagapattinam district administration).
Location: Sikkal, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Murugan (Singaravelar) temples
Questions
At Sikkal, near Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.
By tradition, Murugan received the Vel from Parvati here before defeating Surapadman.
Shiva as Navaneetheswarar, though the temple is known for its Murugan shrine.
From the legend of a linga shaped by the sage Vasishta from butter (navaneetham).
Kanda Sashti in the Tamil month of Aippasi.
Further reading: Sikkal Singaravelar (Navaneetheswarar) Temple on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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