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A king Nirmalan by name suffering from leprosy was living in this region.  While passing through a forest, he came across a sage playing on his veena very sweetly.  He fell at the feet of the sage and sought his blessings for relief from the disease.  Merciful Rishi taught a mantra to the king and advised him to chant the mantra daily.

The king took the advice on his head and began the chanting.  A voice said, “This is the voice of Lord Vishnu.  You are affected by an intense dosha.  Start your pilgrimage through the banks of Cauvery.  Moovalur Lord Marga Sahayeswarar (Lord Shiva) will guide you.  Bathe in all the holy places on the way.  You stop and stay at a place where your body becomes golden in colour”. 

The king stopped the journey at the place as directed by the voice and was happy to see him quite healthy free of the disease.  He prayed to Perumal with all gratitude.  A tall Athi tree appeared from where Perumal granted darshan to the king with His discus, conch and Mother Mahalakshmi on His chest.  As all the sins of the King were washed off here, the place came to be known as Koti Hathi meaning the place freeing the devotee from crores of doshas.  In the days that followed, the name changed as Kozhi Kuthi.  The king, surrendering at the feet of Lord began penance and became Pippala Maharshi.  The Maharshi began his penance on the banks of Cauvery.  Now there is a mandap in this place and the Cauvery flowing near by is called Pippala Theertha.

There are shrines for Garuda Bhagwan, Acharya Sri Ramanuja, Sri Vishwaksena blessing the devotees.  There is a statue of Sage Pippala Maharshi in the Moovalur Marga Sahayeswarar Temple nearby.