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Saint Sundarar used to get gold from Lord Shiva to feed and maintain Shiva devotees following him.  After worshipping the Lord in Tiruvanaika, he came to this temple and sang in praise of the Lord seeking gold.  Lord Shiva kept mum.  Angry Sundarar sang another Pathigam (ten verses) in a loud voice questioning whether there is one called Lord Shiva.  Sundarar got the gold.  Yet he was doubtful about its purity and was closely looking at it.  Two men came there and asked the saint why he was looking at the gold.  Sundarar sought their help in the valuation.  One of them confirmed the purity of the metal while the other approved it.  Both disappeared instantly. Sundarar sang again saying that he did not mean to doubt the Lord.  Lord appeared before him and said that He alone was the assessor and His companion was Lord Vishnu.  Hence the Lord is named Mattru Urai Nather – God who confirmed the touch of gold – Mattru means the touch of the gold. 

The region was once called Mazhanadu ruled by Kolli Mazhavan.  His daughter was suffering from a severe disease which could not be cured by any doctor of the time.  The king simply left the daughter with the Lord to cure her and went away.  Saint Tirugnanasambandar came to this place during his pilgrimage and found the girl suffering.  The king explained to the saint the sick story of his daughter and begged him for remedy.  Saint Sambandar sang ten verses (Pathigam) in praise of Lord Nataraja.  Pleased with the prayer of the Saint, Lord Nataraja changed the disease of the princess as Muyalagan and danced on it.  The princess was cured and stood straight.

Based on this event, Lord Nataraja appears here with His hair tied and dancing on a serpent.  He is praised as Sarpa Nataraja.  This is a rare darshan of the Lord.

Mother Balambika was born as the daughter of a trader Kamalan and performed penance under the Vanni tree and had the hands of the Lord.  Mother is gracing in a separate shrine facing west standing on a Lotus petal.  The Dwarapalakis (woman securities) are worshipped by women tying the yellow thread with a cradle.  It is believed that Ambica receives their appeals through them.  During the Arthajama (night) pujas, it is first offered to Ambica and next to Lord.  Mothers of newborn children and parents worried about children with Bala doshas perform abhishek to Mother seeking Her grace for the well being of the children.