SIKKAL - SINGARAVELAN TEMPLE

The sthalapurana of this hoary temple takes us back to Krita yUga and begins with Vasishta Maharshi's visiting this divyakshetra and installing a Sivalinga he made with the milk of Kamadhenu - the celestial cow for worship. After due ritualistic prayers, he desired to carry this sacrosanct linga to his ashram.  Tried however much, like lifting up or pulling with all his strength to right and left sides, but it did not come off -found stuck up unshakable and irremovable. His troubles and hardships went out in smoke. So the place was appropriately called Sikkal troublesome. Lord Siva, called Venniappan, and the Goddess, Vel, Nedunkkanni are the deities adored here. A temple later came up, built by devout kings.

Murugan temple is another very popular and famous shrine that came into existence then and he is adored in the name Singaravelan. It is a superbly built imposing temple adorned with exquisite sculpture. The images of the adorers, who were emancipated by the Lord's grace are carved on the walls along, with the temple's glorious legend. This was munificiently endowed during the reign of ]adavarman Tribhuvana Chakravarthy by Mahamandaleeswara called Veerapandian.  And Vijayanagara king, too. Inscriptions testify to the endowments made by them. Amon, the festivals celebrated here Sura Samhara festival takes pride place and it is celebrated on a grand scale drawing lakhs devotees. Lord Muruga being accessible easily by pure devotion rewards the adorers with liberal boons, so there is an unending, stream of adorers throughout the year.

It is 4 km off Nagapattanam, the port town, acessible by all kinds of vehicles.

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