The temple is believed to be built during the Chola period and has several inscriptions dating back to the 8-9th century.

[1][2] As per another legend, Garuda, Vishnu's eagle vehicle, carried nectar to cure his mother and was intercepted by demons.

The temple is revered by the verses of the 7-8th-century saint poets Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar in Tevaram and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

[6] This temple is in the centre of the once famous Pazhayarai city, surrounded by Pazhayari Vadathali in the north, Araimetrali in the west and Thenthali in the south.

It is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams sung by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Sambandar and Appar.

Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Shaiva community, a Brahmin sub-caste.

The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Someswarar and Amman.

The worship is held amidst religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred texts) read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast.