The Sthala Viruksham of the temple is “Vembu” (i.e., Neem Tree) and the sacred Theertham is Mani Muktha Nadhi (Vadavar River).

The presiding deity of this shrine, Goddess Mariamman, is represented by anidol made of sand over anani-hill and covered with a silver kavacham.

Sundays are considered to be the most auspicious days for worshipping the Goddess, when a large number of devotees, mostly women and children pay their homage.

Abhishegam is performed daily thrice to Durgai whose sanctum is located to the right of the presiding deity, facing north.

Being an ardent and regular devotee of this Goddess, he was gifted with a son, Theva Cholan, as an heir to the throne.

On his return journey from Rameswaram, the King had the opportunity to stay, with his retinue, at Samayapuram Mariamman Kovil near Tiruchirapalli.

It is said that he worshipped this Goddess Mariambal who appeared in his dream and asked him to go to PunnainaHur Mariamman Sannadhi with his daughter where she would regain her eye sight.

Accordingly the saint made a powerful ** yanthram °°, (pectam) to be placed under the idol of the Goddess, and celebrated the Kumbabishegam on a grand scale.

Mariambalpuram now called Pandaravadai in Papanasam Taluk is a village gifted to the temple by Thuljaji Raja.

As the Thanjavur Maharajas and Queens have to go through hazardous routes for dharsan, an underground passage (* Surangam") was constructed from their Palace to this shrine.

Devotees suffering from small-pox take vows such as « Thotti Kattuthal °° (storing water in the sanctum or in the Prakaram in a tube-like structure to signify cooling effect).

They are maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Serfoji II (1798 CE–1832 CE) built mahamandapa, narthana mandapa, gopura, the second inner prakara and conducted the Kumbhabhishekham.