The Vinayaka of this
place blesses the devotees in the name Sundara Ganapathi. Lord Muruga in the
holy places, Ettukkudi, Enkan and Sikkal are alike in structure and so it is
said, that these three images are sculpted by the same sculptor. On
the North-western corner of the temple is a separate sanctum for Aanjaneyar.
Kolavaamana
Perumal: Once
the devas complained about the troubles caused by Mahabali Chakravarthi of the
asura clan. So when Lord Vishnu took Vaamana avatar, it is believed
that He came to this sacred place, worshipped Lord Siva and got power to
annihilate Mahabali. Hence, Lord Vishnu of this place blesses the
devotees with the sacred name Kolavaamana Perumal from a separate sanctum.
This is one of the 64
Sakthi Peetams of Amman. Viswaamitrar, Kaarthiyaayanar, Naaradar,
Muchukunta Chakravarthi have worshipped in this holy place. The four
deities Lord Siva, Perumal, Murugan and Hanuman offering benedictions is a
significant aspect of this temple. Arunagirinaathar has sung Tiruppugazh celebrating Lord Muruga of this place. This is one of the 72
canopied temples built by Kochenkat Cholan. The devaas worshipped
Lord Muruga by offering Him tirisathai to protect their selves from the
onslaught of Soorapadman. Hence, Lord Muruga put an end to
Soorapadman and saved the devaas. The belief is that by offering the satru samhaara tiri sathai prayer to Lord Muruga, we will be relieved of
enemies? attack and reap benefits, since Amman has bestowed Her shakthi in the
form of a Spear to Singaara Velan of this place.
The legend says that
during a famine, the divine Kamadhenu of the heavenly abode had consumed meat
and Lord Siva knowing this cursed the cow to become a tiger. The
sorrow-stricken tiger asked pardon to the Lord. The kind-hearted
Lord told the tiger, Take bath in the holy place Mallikaaranyam on the earth,
offer your prayers to the Lord there and then you will be relieved of your
curse. Accordingly, Kamadhenu came to this place, built a pond and
when she took bath, milk from her udders flowed and the whole pond became a
milk-pond. From this milk-pond gathered butter. As per the direction
of Lord Siva, Sage Vasishta came to this sacred place, created a Lingam from
the butter and worshipped. It was a problem to remove this Lingam
from this place. So, the place came to be known as Sikkal. (In Tamil the term
means problem)