According to the Puranas, Shakti worshipped Shiva in the form of a peacock, giving the vernacular name Mylai () to the area that developed around the temple - mayil is Tamil for peacock. Shiva is worshiped as Kapaleeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Karpagambal. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.