[1] According to legend, Sage Agastya wanted two hills, Shivagiri and Shaktigiri, to be transported to his abode in the south, and commissioned his disciple, the asura Idumban, to carry them.

Meanwhile, Murugan, having journeyed to Palani after losing the jnana palam (fruit of wisdom) to Ganesha, claimed the hills as his own.

In the combat that ensued, Idumban was slain,[2] but was resurrected on the intercession of his wife, Idumbi, as well as Agastya.

Restored to life, Idumban wished to serve for perpetuity as the dvarapala (door-guardian) of Murugan's shrine.

The deity declared that Idumban would stand guard at the foot of the hill, and proclaimed that every devotee who worshipped him at the site would first venerate his dvarapala.