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The region was once known as Tharukavanam.  The sages of the place were too proud that they were supreme in all aspects.  Their wives excelled them in pride thinking that they alone were chaste and most beautiful.  Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu decided to teach them a lesson.  Lord Shiva took the form a handsome beggar Bikshadana while Vishnu appeared with alluring beauty as Mohini.  While the Rishis were enticed by the beauty of Mohini and followed Her, the Rishi Patnies (wives) followed the beggar shedding their chastity pride.  Seeing their wives following a beggar, the Rishis understood that there was some magic and began to chase the Bikshadana and fought him with all the skills they had but failed and were defeated.  They understood that the handsome beggar was none other than Lord Shiva, fell at His feet and begged His pardon.  Lord Shiva became their Guru and appeared here as a swayambumurthy.

Lord Shiva as Bikshadana graces in the Mandap as a procession deity.  The 12 zodiac signs are drawn on the roof of the mandap.  Worshipping Lord Shiva and Lord Bikshadana standing under the zodiac sign would relieve the devotee of all the adverse effects caused by planets, it is believed.  Lord Bikshadana also has His place in the prakara-corridor. 

In days of yore, the region was a jungle dense with Parai trees from where the Shivalinga was found and the temple built here.  Lord was named Paraithurai Nathar.  There is a Shivalinga under the Parai tree behind the sanctum sanctorum.  It is said that Lord appeared from this place.  Mother Pasumpon Mayilambikai and Lord Nataraja grace from their shrines in the prakara facing south.  During the Vaikasi (May-June) Brahmmotsavam, Lord Nataraja comes in procession not accompanied by Ambica.  The system seems to be different here.

The temple is praised in the hymns of Saints Gananasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar and Arunagiriar.  The Cauvery near the temple is revered as Akanda (wide) Cauvery.  The river bifurcates at a distance of 2 kms from here as Cauvery and Kollidam.  Kadai Muzhukku, a bath in Cauvery at Mayiladuthurai on the last date of Aipasi (October-November) is taken by devotees while the first on the first Aipasi takes place in Paraithurai.  It is the firm belief of the devotees that this bathing would cleanse them of their sins.  Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai grace the devotees from a shrine in the prakara sung by Saint Arunagiriar while Lord Dandayuthapani wearing sandals graces from a shrine nearby.  Those seeking wedding matches worship Varahi, one among the Saptha Kannikas offering abishek and lighting lamps. 

Lord Arthanareeswara graces the devotees in the wall behind the sanctum sanctorum instead of Lord Lingodhbava.  Lord Dakshinamurthy also graces in the Goshta wall.  Lord Vinayaka praised as Parali Vinayaka graces outside the temple in a standing form.