The temple is sung by celebrated Saivite Saints Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar in their Thevaram hymns. This is the 6th Shiva temple in the Pandya region praised in Thevaram hymns.Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. Lord Shiva is swayambulinga in the temple.

According to the legend, the prominent snakes Vasuki and Kaarkotakan worshipped Lord Shiva here and hence the separate shrine for Tirunageswarar in the outer 3rd prakaram. Also according to the legend, Goddess Mahalaskhmi once wished to have a darshan of Lord Shiva's dance. Lord Shiva conceded to her request and told her that she can have a vision of his dance at this sthalam. Accordingly Shiva is said to have revealed a vision of his Cosmic Dance known as Gowri Thandavam to Goddess Mahalakshmi here.

This temple has got the royal patranage from the early Chola, Pandiya and Chera kings, and by the later period Pallavas, Sethupathy Raja, Maruthu Pandiyar etc.

The place where Sage Valmiki performed penance here is shown behind the sanctum sanctorum. Indiras son Jayandan has a place in Skanda Mahapurana. He was abducted by demon Padmasura as he resisted the demon to rescue his mother. Lord Muruga rescued Jayandan from the demon. He has a separate shrine in the temple. A festival is conducted for Jayandan in Chithirai (April-May). It is said that Lord Maha Vishnu worshipped Lord Tiruthalinathar in this temple. His shrine is behind the sanctum in the name of Lord Yoga Narayana.

Mothers Sridevi, Bhudevi and Sri Anjaneya are nearby the Lord. There is also a shrine for Lord Tirunageswarar where people worship during Ragu Kalam time. Lord Muruga is facing north with His consorts Valli and Deivanai. Saint Arunagiriar had praised Lord Muruga of the temple in his Tirupugazh hymns. Lord Nataraja graces in His Gourithandava dancing form. Lord Dakshinamurthi graces alone without His disciples. All planets Navagrahas are in sitting form. The temple has many such sacred features.

Hiranyakshkan, a staunch Shiva devotee had two sons Andakasura and Sambasura. Though they were Shiva devotees, they harassed the Devas who sought asylum at the feet of the Lord. Lord Shiva with His Viswarupa killed Andakasura and Sambasura. This form of Lord Shiva is but the Lord Bhairava. Though He killed the evil demons, as killing is a sin, to relieve Himself of this dosha, Bhairava performed Shivalinga Puja in the temple.  He is worshipped as Yoga Bhairava. Devotees dress Him with white silk vastras. He does not have His dog vahan as He graces here in Yoga form.

Those unable to visit specific Navagraha temples, may seek relief in this temple worshipping Lord Yoga Bhairava. He is also praised as Aabath Dharana Bhairava as He rushes to the rescue of his devotees when in danger. On Ashtami days 8th day of new moon and full moon fortnights, devotees worship here with cosmetic items.

A one day festival is dedicated to Lord Yoga Bhairava on the first day of Chithirai falling almost on April 14. He comes in procession on Horse vahan. Ashta Bhairava Yajna is performed for six days during the Champaka Sashti festival in Karthikai (November-December). This is an important event in the temple.

Sage Valmiki, to correct himself from the cruel activities as robbery and murder he was indulging in earlier (this theory and story is strongly refuted by eminent scholars of Ramayana) performed penance here dense with Kondrai trees. As he was in penance for too long a time, he was covered by an ant hill Vanmeekam in Sanskrit and Puttru in Tamil. Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva granted darshan to the sage. As Lord granted darshan near the Puttru, He is praised as Puttreeswarar. The temple is built on this Darshan story. The place also is named Puthur with the auspicious prefix (Tiru - Tiruputhur).  Kings built the temple later.