This alluring temple dedicated to Lord Murugan in the heart of Kumana forest is a main stand for the devotees performing pilgrimage to Katirkamam through dense jungle.

[1] According to another folklore this place is believed to be the location where Skanda Kumara landed on the shore of Okanda with Valli Amma in a golden boat.

There is yet a third myth according to which, Murugan and his sweet heart Valli arrived in stone boats (which still rest on the beach) to reside on top of the Ukanthai Malai.

[citation needed] A famous merchant from Jaffna "Markkandu Mudaliyar" lived in Batticaloa erected a small building for housing the Vel in 1885.

The main shrine of Lord Murugan is situated in the bottom of the Ukanthai with a majestic sanctum pagoda surrounded by small chapels dedicated to Pillaiyar, Naga Tambiran, Navagraham and Vairavar.

[citation needed] Ukanthai is divided into two hillocks called as Swamimalai and Vallimalai since they have two shrines for Velswami and Valli Amman at top of them respectively.