Shiva told the rishis that he would appear in the form of a fireball to acknowledge the penance of Mandothari, the wife of king Ravana in Sri Lanka.

Simultaneously, there was a fireball out of the Agni Theertham (temple tank), which the rishis felt were on account of Shiva attacking Ravana.

It is spread across about 20 acres of land and is believed to have been constructed by 1,000 Shiva devotees who attained Moksha (spiritual liberation) simultaneously.

Deities: Within the temple complex, you can find shrines dedicated to Mangalanathar Swami, Mangaleswari Amman, Natarajar, Suyambulingam, Byravar, Datsinamoorthy, Chandikeswarar, and Balabhairav.

Two magnificent yalis (mythical lion-like creatures) guard the entrance with stone balls in their mouths, which visitors can move by hand.

Religious Significance: The temple is home to the priceless emerald statue of Sage Mangaleswarar, standing at five and a half feet tall.

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 all the deities in the temple.

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

The major festival of the temple are Tirukalyana Vaibhavam (sacred marriage) during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April–May), Vasanthotsavam during Vaigasi (May–June), Pathunal Siva Uthsavam during Aaani (July–August), Annabishekam during Aipasi (October–November), Tiruvathidirai during Margazhi (December–January) and Sivarathri during Masi (February–March).

The emerald image of Nataraja is anointed with sandal paste round the year except on Tiruvathidirai festival day when special worship is practiced.

As per Hindu legend, Vishnu and Brahma contested for superiority, Shiva appeared as a flame, and challenged them to find his source.

Brahma took the form of a swan, and flew to the sky to see the top of the flame, while Vishnu became the boar Varaha, and sought its base.

[citation needed] Manickavasagar, the 9th century Tamil saivite saint poet has revered Mangalanathar and the temple in his verses in Thiruvasakam, compiled as the Eighth Tirumurai.

As per Hindu legend, Muruga was awarded the Airavata (white elephant) of celestial deity Indra at this place.