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A spider, ambitious to build a temple for Lord Shiva, did so with a threadlike material coming from its stomach. It built towers, Mandaps, the sanctum sanctorum, the pots on the tower (Kalasam), the compound wall etc. It was also doing the repairs when its threads were cut in places. To test the determined devotion of the spider, the Lord kindled up the lamp in the temple and burnt the Spider’s work. The spider, seeing its thread temple reduced to ashes, decided to fall on the fire and end itself. The Lord appeared before the spider and held the spider in His hands offering a boon. The spider begged the Lord a place at His feet in the shape of a flame. Lord granted the boon. Towards the end of Thredha Yuga, a snake named Kalan, was worshipping the Lord with precious stones on His head. An elephant named Athi also worshipped the Lord performing abishek with Ponmuhali river water and Vilwa leaves, removing the precious stones on the Lord’s head. This happened in Dwapara Yuga. The elephant and snake were both worshipping God in turn, one undoing the worship of the other. To find the enemy, the snake hid itself in the flowers placed by the elephant. The elephant, happy to see its flowers in order on the Lord began the abishek performance when the snake entered the body of the animal through the tusk and began to screw its head. Unable to bear this torture, the elephant decided to kill the creature inside and also end itself, dashed forcibly against the rocks profusely bleeding. The roaring of the elephant and the noise it made while dashing against the rocks frightened all the beings. Birds flew high. The celestial beings too were frightened. The snake was torn to pieces. Breaking its head, the elephant also breathed its last. Lord Seekalathiappar appeared on his bull vehicle with Consort Uma, granted Sarupa Mukthi (salvation) to both the snake and the elephant. The letter See in Tamil represents Silandhi the Spider, Kalam the snake and Athi (Hasthi in Sanskrit) the elephant. All combined, the place is named Seekalathi.

An idol of Kannappar is installed in the Mandap adjacent to the sanctum sanctorum. There are two Nandhis (bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) in front of the presiding deity, one made of white stone and other of brass. The sanctum sanctorum is constructed in the shape of an Agazhi – a deep and broad water defence arrangement around the palaces of the kings to prevent entry of enemies. There are Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthi, Lingodhbhava, Brahmma, Durga on the inner corridors. There is a metal covered flag post and also a 60 feet tall flag post made of a single stone. There are also a Balipeeta and Nandhi in front of the temple.