Temple History:

A story tells about the Reason. Once sage Agasthya who was sent by Lord Shiva to the South India came to this Shiva temple, which had a Shiva linga consecrated by Lord Indra. The saint wanted to talk to Lord Shiva and called him “Karumshivalingame(Hey blackish Shiva linga) “ .

But his voice was stopped from reaching Shiva by a saint who was at that temple. When after two or three times, Shiva did not answer him, Sage Agasthya was greatly upset and told ,”After some time an Ayyanar would come here and your fame would reduce.”

As per the words of Sage Agasthya , after some time the staute of Ayyanar accompanied by his consorts Poorna and Pushkala came out at the temple near the Shiva linga . Also a sacred bench identified as Goddess Rajarajeswari also appeared . Slowly the fame of Lord Shiva at that temple reduced and the Ayyanar became famous as “Periyasami Ayyanar(Big God ayyanar).”