The temple has a 3 tier Rajagopuram.  Lord Vinayaka in the temple is praised as Selva Ganapathy gracing in the prakara.  Pujas are performed to Him on Anusha star day.  Those facing debt burdens pray to Vinayaka for relief.   Muyalagan the symbol of ignorance under the feet of Lord Dakshinamurthy is on the left side with a serpent in his hand.  There is shrine for Lord Muruga gracing with His consorts Valli and Deivanai on His peacock vehicle.

Those facing adverse planetary aspects pray here with Parihara pujas.

A Chola king was visiting Chidambaram each delay to worship Lord Nataraja travelling through this route.  While he was crossing this place one day, the wick of the torch carried by his men automatically went off.  They could not light it again despite all efforts.  When he crossed the place, it began to burn again.  This happened each day.  The king saw a shepherd and enquired him whether anything strange was happening there.  He said there was a Shivalinga and a cow was pouring its milk on it.  The king found the Linga and tried to take it out to build a temple elsewhere.  It began to bleed when he dug.  Therefore, he built the temple in the same place.  As the wick (Thiri in Tamil) got put off here, the place is called Thiri Nindriyur.  As Mahalakshmi (Thiru) worshipped here, it is also called Thiru Nindra Oor.

Sun and Moon are facing each other in the temple.  People pray here on the new moon day for salvation of ancestors.  The axe scar on the Shivalinga is visible even now.  The Parasurama Linga worshipped by Sage Parasurama is in the prakara.  The Jamadakneeswara Linga is small in size and the Parikeswara Linga is big in size with Lord Mahavishnu by the side.  There are three tanks around the temple as a garland praised as Neela Malar Poigai by Saint Sambandar.  Those praying here will have a peaceful life free of ailments, fear and sins, it is believed.  Devotees perform abishek to Lord Shiva with Madhulai fruit pearls.

Sage Jamadhagni commanded his son Sage Parasuram to chop off the head of his mother (his wife) Renukadevi as she wondered at the handsomeness of a Gandharva in the reflection of water.  Obeying father, the son did it but got back the mother through the boon from father.  For committing the sin of killing the mother, he worshipped Lord Shiva here for peace.  Jamadhagni too repented here for his hasty decision.   Lord Shiva granted darshan to both father and son.

As Mother Mahalakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva here and was blessed, the Lord is praised as Mahalakshmeeswarar.