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The temple has been constructed by the Lakolisa cult which originated in Gujarat and their only other temple in Tamil Nadu is at Kanchipuram. The temple has been rebuilt by the Pallavas and Cholas.

Sage Pundarika, as advised by Sage Kanwa, performed penance on Lord Shiva seeking salvation.  Granting His darshan, Lord embraced the sage and granted salvation. 

As a rule, the soul merges with the Lord attaining salvation.  But, in this case Lord embraced with the body (Kayam in Tamil) of Sage (Aaroganam).  Hence Lord is named Kaya (body) Aarogana (embracing) Easwarar-Lord – Kayaroganeswarar.

Emperor Mushukunda got seven Lingas from Indira for the helps he had rendered him.  These Lingas were small – Vidanga in size.  The Emperor installed the Linga in Seven Places called Saptha Vidanga sthalas.  This is one such Sthalas with a Linga so beautiful made of Ruby.  Hence, the Lord is named Sundara (beautiful) Vidangar. 

The eyes of Mother Ambica is blue in colour as sea showing Her mercy as vast and deep as sea.  Hence, named Neelayadakshi-blue eyed. Ambica graces as a virgin.  

As Ambica is a virgin, Lord sent Nandi Deva to be Her guard.  But Nandi expressed his wish to be with Lord for ever seeing Him.  Lord said that he can have His darshan though with Ambica.  

Nandi in the temple is seen with its neck turned towards Lord with one eye on Ambica and other on the Lord.  Hence, the Nandi is known as Twin View Nandi (Irattai Parvai in Tamil).  

Generally, temples are closed if a death occurs in a nearby place.  In this place, the garlands and the clothes – vastras used for the Lord is placed on corpse.  A fisherman, Adhipathar attained salvation with the grace of Lord Shiva in this place. 

Remembering this event, as a mark of respect to the community, this practice is followed in this temple. The body is placed before the temple without closing the doors.  The garland and the vastras used for the Lord are placed on the body.

All the planets (Navagrahas) in the temple are facing west towards the Lord.

As a child adamantly demanding the mother to get its wish, there was a Siddha in the place called Azhuguni Chithar – crying adamantly for a wish.  He used to cry in the shrine of Mother Neelayadakshi demanding salvation.  He was the disciple of Gorakka Siddha.  He stayed in the temple, cried for getting his demand.  Mother spoke to Lord Shiva  about the issue.  Lord granted salvation to Azhuguni Chithar.   His Jeeva Samadhi is in this temple.

Lord Vinayaka graces His darshan wearing a serpent around His body with another one above His head as an umbrella.  He is worshipped as Nagabarana Vinayaka. 

The idol of Lord Muruga  has 12 hands with weapons in them. As a Naga king worshipped here, the place came to be known as Nagai Karonam.  Now it is Nagapattinam.