There is no Goddess or other sub-deities in the temple.  Only Lord Vinayaka graces sitting under the Neem and Vilwa trees with Nandhi the bull vehicle of His Father Lord Shiva before him.

People pray for relief from the follow-ups of the bad effects of the past birth, for removal of obstacle in marriage talks and women pray for the safety of their mangal sutras and longevity of husbands.

The temple is situated at the foothill of Harikesa Parvatha hills.  The shape of the hill resembles a Shivalinga and that Adishesha is holding an umbrella for the Lord.  It is a small temple near a rock.  Special pujas are performed on Pradosham, Amavasya, Poornima and Shivrathri days.  Sacred spring Veda Theertha, created by sage Agasthya is near the temple containing many herbal properties curing severe stomach pain.

Behind the Somalingaswami shrine is the cave where Saint Meikandar performed penance.  It is a natural formation.  Devotees pray here to realize mental control and the blessings of Lord Shiva and the Siddhas.  There are also caves in different parts of hill where other three Siddhas performed penance.

Bogar, who made the Navapashana idol of Lord Muruga in Palani also performed penance here.  He sought a virgin of perfect fitness (Anga Lakshanas) for his Gowri Puja.  Konganar and Karuvurar Siddhar could not find a virgin of the description of Bogar and therefore, they made a statue and gave it life and took it to Bogar.  Bogar, with his spiritual wisdom and power found the truth and called the stone-turned virgin ‘Kal Nee Vadi’ -  Kal-stone, Nee-you, Vadi-come.  “You stone come.” The two siddhas sought the pardon of Bogar which he obliged.  Based on this, the place is called Kannivadi.  Kanni-virgin.  Later it changed as Kannivadi according to an ancient book titled Jalathirattu.

Great Siddhas, Meikandar, Kundalini Siddha, Vazhayanandar, Mukthanandar and others gathered here to perform penance seeking Lord Shiva’s darshan.  They installed a Shivalinga here.  Lord Shiva granted their wish and stayed here and was named Somalingaswami.