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Devas of the celestial world appealed to Mother Ambica to protect them from the atrocities of Demon Doomralochana.  Mother took the form of Durga and fought with the demon.  As his boons were very strong, he fought with equal might with Mother.  Mother began to feel weak.  Lord Shiva deputed Saptha Kannikas to fight him.  The demon could not stand their force and hid himself in the hermitage of Maharshi Kathyayana.  The virgins mistook the Rishi as the demon and eliminated him and thus incurred Brahmmahathi dosha – a sin that would make the sinner dark with a gruesome face.  As advised by Ambica, they performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the sin when Lord granted them darshan from the Kadamba tree.

Saptha Kannikas, the Seven Virgins prayed to Lord Shiva to protect them from the sins caused by killing demon Doomralochana.  Lord Shiva is believed to be their security in this place.  He also destroyed the demon.  Devotees consider Mother Chamundi here as Mother Durga.  Hence, there is no special shrine for Mother Durga.  Worships to Mother Durga are offered in Shiva shrine itself.  Pujas during Rahukala time are performed to Lord Shiva and Mother Durga simultaneously.

Lord Shiva graces Vamadeva Swyambu (facing north).  Cauvery flows in front of the temple.  Remembering the occasion of Lord Shiva granting darshan to the Saptha Kannikas, Lord visits Cauvery with Mother Ambica.  Also, the Lords of 7 Shiva temples around the place visit Cauvery on the same day, same time.  It is a rare opportunity for the devotees to worship 8 Lord Shivas simultaneously.  The first part of Aipasi Tula Snanam (bathing in Cauvery in October-November is followed devotionally here with Kalai Kadambar (morning) Sokkar (midday) and Eengoinathar (evening) worships.  Morning worship is considered very beneficial with multiple profits including the one of worshipping the Lord in Kasi in the north.  The place also has the reputation of being called Dakshina Kasi – Kasi of South.

Mother Muttrila Mulai Ammai graces from a shrine facing east.  Paramanathar is the guardian deity of this shrine with his hand on the forehead in a saluting form.  People perform abishek to Paramanathar with honey and offer porridge made of Pasi corn, praying Him to be a guardian of their houses too.

Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva here for washing off the sin caused by the killing of demon Surapanma.  He graces from a shrine in the prakara with His consorts Valli and Deivanai with His six faces, described by Saint Arunagiriar as Lord of six military camps attributed to Him.  Lord Lingodhbava is on the Sanctum Koshta-wall around the shrine.

There are two Natarajas with Muyalagan under one and one without.  The Crescent moon shines on the head.