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According to legend, the shivling (a symbolic representation of the deity) was installed here by a demon named 'Khara'. This demon (of the Khara Dhooshana demon duo) featured in the Ramayana, worshiped Shiva at Chidambaram, and obtained from him three Shivalingams. He traveled holding one shiva lingam in each hand and one in his mouth. Kadichiruthy Prathishitta later becomes Kaduthuruthy. The remaining two shivlings were installed at the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple and Vaikom Mahadevar Temple. The name Kaduthuruthy also believed to have emanated from this temple and its etiology has it that Kadichu (bite) Irutthy (make someone sit).

The Mahadeva Temple, otherwise known as Thali Temple in the name of Hindu god shiva. There are several other well-known temples in the area. Mahadeva temple is one among the famous three temples which Khara (of the Khara Dhooshana demon duo) of Ramayana built along with Ettumanoor and Vaikom. A visit to three temples on the same day is believed to be very auspicious. Kaduthuruthy is the smallest of these three temples.

Another story believed that the origin of name "Kaduthuruthy" is Demon Khara got three "Shiv lingas" for his severe penance from lord Shiva, Khara started a journey by carrying three Shiv Lingas, two Lingas in each hand and one in his mouth. After a while he got tired as well the Lingas are heavy, he placed his right handed Linga in Vaikom, left handed Linga in Ettumanoor and from mouth is placed in Kaduthuruthy (in Malayalam it was called kadichiruthy).