The oldest parts of the present masonry structure were built during the Chola dynasty during the 11th century, while later expansions, are attributed to later periods.

The temple is now maintained and administered by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

As per Hindu legend, the sage Bharadwaja worshipped the presiding deity in the form of a sparrow named Valiyan.

On the advice of Markendeya, he reached this place, got a dip and worshipped the presiding deity and got relief from the curse.

There are 14 inscriptions from the Chola empire, with the oldest dating back to Tribuvana Chakravarthy Vijayakanda Gopalan who donated multiple jewels to Nachiyar.

During the period of Rajaraja, a devotee named Chalukya Naranan Yathavarayan donated two houses and two gardens to the temple.

The other inscriptions indicate gifts in the form of lamps, food and gold to the temple by various devotees and ruling kings.

The presiding deity in the form of lingam is housed in the sanctum in Gajabrashta shape (sitting pose of an elephant).

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

The temple rituals are performed four times a day; Ushathkalam at 6:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 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 Tiruvalleswarar and Jagadambika.

The worship is held amidst music with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred texts) read by priests and prostration by worshipers in front of the temple mast.