Indra, the king of celestial deities, is said to have worshipped Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of having deceived Ahalya, the wife of Gowtama Rishi. Bhrama and Vishnu adorn the niches in the walls of the sanctum. This place has been referred to in Thevaram, the Saiva anthology written by Saint Poet (7th Century AD) Thirugnana Sambanthar and Appar.