In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Since the Solar movement was towards the Mituna star causing oppressive heat waves, the child Sambandar could not manage.
The Lord sent his bhoodaganas(servants) to decorate the streets with beautiful Muthu pandal(ceiling made of Pearl).
Parvati herself performed penance here, while sage Vishwamitra was admitted in the company of Brahmarishis with the backing of Gayatri mantra in this place.
Sage Markandeya worshipped here and all the Navagrahas here face the Sun-god Surya and are positioned as per the Agama tradition.
[4] Govinda Dikshitar, the minister of Raghunatha Nayak took special interest in the temple as he was staying at Pateeswaram.
One of them indicates the prevalent culture of presenting the goddess with a saree when families in the village arrange a marriage.
The temple was originally administered by Kumbakonam Devastana committee till 7 August 1945 when it was shifted to Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Subsidiary deities like Sapthamatha, Mahalakshmi, Renuka, Navagraha, Surya, Chandra and Bhairava are housed in the inner parts of the temple.
In the northern part of the first prakaram, the consort goddess Gnanambigai (Parvati) lies in a separate shrine.
There is a gopuram on the southern side, which also houses a temple tank called Pushkarani and the shrine of Mathavarana Pillayar.
Unlike other temples, eight of the Navagrahas, the planetary deities are set facing the Sun at the centre.
During the 1970s, there were three metal images of Nataraja, Somaskanda and Lakshmi were found out from the caves inside the temple - these are housed in Thanjavur Art Gallery.
Sitting on her vehicle lion, placing the feet on the head of the demon Mahishasura, the goddess appears in a Tribanga stature, eight hands, three eyes and jewels in the ears.
In her hands, the goddess holds, conch, wheel, bow, arrow, sword, shield and a parrot.
[14] The temple has six worhsip practises in day, namely, Ushathkalam at 6 a.m., Kalasanthi at 9 a.m., Uchikalam at 12 p.m., Sayaratchai at 6 p.m., Irandamkalam at 8 p.m. and Arthajamam at 9 p.m.
During the Margazhi festival, the five principal deities are taken in different mounts and the legend of Rama getting expiation from his curse is enacted.