 According to a legend, this metallic image was once lost but was recovered by Sri Ramanujacharya.The annual report of the "Mysore Archaeological Department" states on the strength of epigraphic evidence, that the presiding deity of this temple was already a well known object of worship even before Sri Ramanujacharya worshipped at the shrine in December 1098 CE.and even before he came to the Mysore region and that very probably he used his influence to rebuild or renovate the temple.