The Nagapooshani Amman Temple is believed to be originally established by the god Indra while seeking alleviation from the curse of the sage Gautama.

Another legend states that, many centuries later, a cobra (Naga) was swimming across the sea towards Nainativu from the nearby island of Puliyantivu with a lotus flower in its mouth, for the worship of Bhuvaneswari.

The merchant Maanikan from the Chola kingdom - a devotee of Bhuvaneswari - was sailing across the Palk Strait to trade with the ancient Naka Nadu noticed the eagle and the cobra perched upon the rocks.

The eagle agreed with one condition that the merchant should construct a beautiful temple for Bhuvaneswari on the island of Nainativu and that he shall propagate her worship in the form of Nagapooshani Amman.

Shiva was enraged and created Virabhadra and Bhadrakali, two ferocious beings who wreaked havoc at the site of the sacrifice.

According to some traditions, an angry Shiva performed the fearsome and awe-inspiring Tandava dance with Sati's charred body on his shoulders.

These 64 holy places, known as Shakti Pithas, have temples of various forms of the Goddess and have become major centers of the Goddess-oriented Shakta sect.

- into English: "lankayam noopuranchaiva bhairavo rakshaseshwara: indrakshi devata tatra indraneno baashita puraa".)

Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple is believed to be where the silambu (anklets) of Sati had fallen.

This ornament is also referred to in the famous Tamil epic Silapathikaram - where the story begins and ends with an anklet.

The moolasthanam or garbhagriha ("womb chamber", central shrine) of Nagapooshani Amman and her consort Nayinar Swami (Shiva) are in traditional Dravidian Hindu architecture.

A unique feature of this temple is that Nayinar Swami and Nagapooshani Amman are installed together as if they are one; granting darshanam to devotees as Shiva-Shatki (the primeval energies of the cosmos).

The temple also includes the following upadevas (subordinate deities): Ganesha (Ganapathi), Bhuvaneswari, Kartikeya (Subrahmanya) with consorts Valli and Devayani, Navagraha, Surya, Chandra, Bhairava, 63 Nayanars, Nalvars and Chandikeswarari.

This event was attended by 200,000 devotees from various cities and towns as far as India, Europe, Australia, and North America.

Built in December 2011, its primary purpose is to welcome those coming from within the island to worship the Goddess, and visitors from the nearby Naga Vihara (Buddhist Temple).

The Vahana mandapam houses the various vehicles the Utsavamurtis (processional deities) are seated upon during temple festivals.

The story follows the following plot: The dancer-courtesan Manimekalai is pursued by the amorous Cholan prince Udyakumaran, but rather wants to dedicate herself to a religious celibate life.

The sea goddess Manimekala Theivam (Manimekalai Devi) puts her to sleep and takes her to the island Manipallavam (Nainathivu).

After waking up and wandering about the island Manimekalai comes across the Dharma-seat, which was placed there by Lord Indra, on which Buddha had taught and appeased two warring Naga princes.

She then meets the guardian goddess of the Dharma seat, Deeva-Teelakai (Dvipa Tilaka) who explains her the significance of the Dharma seat and lets her acquire the magic never-failing begging bowl (cornucopia) called Amurta Surabhi ("cow of abundance"), which will always provide food to alleviate hunger.

A unique feature about this sculpture is that the cobras with their open hoods, spit water resembling a fountain.

The temple has a six-time pooja schedule everyday, each comprising four rituals namely abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), naivedyam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Sri Nagapooshani (Bhuvaneswari) Amman and Sri Nayinaar Swami.

The most important festival associated with the temple is the 16-day-long Mahostavam (Thiruvizha) that is celebrated in annually in the Tamil month of Aani (June/July).

Aadi Pooram, the day Parvati is said to have attained puberty, and become a mother to all her devotees is marked in grand manner at this temple.

[3][4] The interchangeable names Nayar and Naka or Naga, meaning cobra or serpent were applied to and self described by these snake-worshiping people from classical antiquity.

The findings include Naga idols and suggest that serpent worship was widely practised in the Kerala and Jaffna region during the megalithic period.

[11] The rulers and society of Nainativu are described as an advanced civilization in the Vallipuram gold plate inscriptions.

However, the most popular time to visit the temple is during the 16 day long Mahotsavam (Thiruvizha festival) that is celebrated in annually in the Tamil month of Aani (June/July).

Because of the Sri Lankan Civil War many people and devotees of this temple have fled to different parts of the world.

Due to the goddesses' honour, devotees around the world have built temples dedicated to Nagapooshani Ambal.