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It is believed that two sages, Dakshina Duruvan and Pachima Duruvan performed intense penance here, had the Darshan of Mother Parvadhavardini as Dakshina Kali as she graced them facing South. Since then, the sages continued to stay in the place and began treating those suffering from diseases. It is also believed that the rishis are still in the place in deep penance.

The story also goes that during the rule of Sinhalese in this region, a king Sulodharan by name became ill and reached the temple trusting in the grace of the Mother. His brothers mocked at him. The king was firm in his faith, built a hut nearby and continued his prayers bathing in the holy springs.

As the Mother responded the King’s prayers, he built a temple for the Goddess and also provided facilities for those coming to the temple for recovery from illness. The brothers who mocked at the king became too ill then. From this incident came the saying "Nambunayakiyai Vananginal Vambillai – no problems (Vambu) to those trusting in Nambu Nayaki (trust in Goddess).

Slowly, the temple grew gradually in the days that followed.

Nambunayaki is the family deity of many Maratha Brahmins here who name their child after the Goddess.

"I worshipped the Nayaki seeking a child,

She gave me a son to spread Her grace" - are the lines mothers sing to make their child sleep peacefully.

During the Navarathri festival, the deity graces the devotees in the form of nine Shaktis (Nava Shakti) and appears in special dressings (Alankara) on the 9th day.