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This is a Divya Desam (Sr. No. 25).

When the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean of milk for nectar, Chandra appeared before Sri Mahalakshmi,  as he enjoys the status as Her elder brother.  He occupies the second place next to the Sun in the planetary line.  

Chandra is handsome, the disciple of Jupiter, and well versed in scriptures.  He conducted a yajna called Raja Suya, which was attended a huge number of Rishis and Dhara, the wife of Jupiter.  When they looked at each other in the event, they began to love each other.  Shocked, the Deva Guru Jupiter reported this to Lord Vishnu and cursed his disciple with leprosy.

Meanwhile, a son was born to Chandra and Dhara named Bhudha, also a planet called Mercury.  As advised by Lord Vishnu, Chandra returned Dhara to his Guru.  Budha hated his father for his misdeed, performed severe penance and became a planet.

Chandra committed his next mistake.  He married the 27 daughters of Daksha, promising him that he would treat each one with equal love.  But he did not.  He was very fond of Rohini alone and ignored the others. The aggrieved daughters approached their father-Daksha and narrated their condition. 

An angry Daksha cursed that his handsome face would depreciate day by day.  The full moon began to face the impact of the curse.

Chandra had to suffer a double curse.  He surrendered at the feet of Lord Vishnu for relief.  Perumal advised Chandra to visit Srirangam, Tiru Indalur and Thalaichanga Naanmadiyam, have a dip in the sacred springs there, and perform penance on Him for relief. 

Chandra meticulously followed the Lord’s advice and got relief at this place-Thalaichanga Naanmadiyam.  The Lord granted darshan to Chandra and also wore him as an ornament on His head.

In this Divyadesam temple, Perumal appears with the crescent moon on His head as Lord Shiva facing east and in a standing form.  Hence, the name of Perumal is Nanmadhia Perumal and Chandra Shaba Harar, one who released Chandra from his curse.  

The temple address: Sri Naanmadhia Perumal Temple, Thalaichanga Naanmadhiam, (Thalachangadu)-609 107, Nagapattinam district. 

The temple has a shrine for Naanmadiya Perumal facing east. It has an invaluable conch. It is located on the southern bank of river Kaveri. The place was very famous during the Chola regime for conch as it was closer to their port town Poompuhar. The place finds mention in the Sangam literature Silapadikaram. The temple and the place has been patronized by the Chola kings. The temple was in a dilapidated condition and it was renovated by Suntara Ramanuja.