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In the Sangam Era, Anaimalai was known as Nannanur and ruled by a chieftain called Nannan. There was a dense grove of mango trees belonging to him. Appointing checkpost officials, he had proclaimed punitive measures against trespassers. An unfortunate young woman who was bathing in the river Aliyar stumbles upon a mango fruit coming to her, floating on the water. Unable to resist temptation, she at once picked it up and bit it.

The prying officials reported the news to the ruler. The innocent woman was produced before the chieftain with her clothes dripping water. She pleaded not guilty and prayed to the lord to be sat free. She explained that she never committed any offence if at all it was considered an act of stealth, it was more by chance than by choice. Although the father of the woman offered to give an image made of gold equal to her weight by way of compensation together with 81 elephants, the ruler did not relent and ordered her execution.

The body of the women was buried in the graveyard. An image of hers was made in sand and people started worshiping it. Soon a temple was built for the women, commemorating her martyrdom.

The deity is seen in a lying posture measuring 17 ft from head to foot. The deity is depicted with four hands; two placed on the ground and two raised above.