 The name "Poonamallee" might have been derived from "Poovirundavalli", meaning "the place where jasmine is cultivated".There is a legend that Goddess Laxmi rose from jasmine flower and gave darashan to Thirukatchi Nambi Alwar.It is also said the Alwar worshipped God Varadaraja, deity at Kanchi with the jasmine flowers plucked from here.