Devotees seek the pardon of the Lord for wrongs committed by them unknowingly and for relief from serpent planet effects.

During the churning of the milk ocean, a demon Swarbanu cunningly sat among the Devas and also succeeded in getting and consuming the nectar.  This was brought to the notice of Lord Vishnu by Sun and Moon.  Lord Vishnu struck him with the spoon used for serving the nectar.  He fell down in two pieces.  The head joined the body of a snake.  The remaining body joined the head of a snake and also got the status of planets with the blessings of Lord Shiva.  Thus the demon got two forms as Rahu and Ketu.  To revenge Sun and Moon, these planets devour them for a brief period some times, what we call solar and Lunar eclipse.  They are depicted such in the temple on wall in the mandap opposite the sanctum sanctorum, covered by silver.  Devotees offer the related pulses for these planets – Ulundu for Rahu and Kollu or horsegram for Ketu to Lord Tiruvetteeswarar with Mandhara and red flowers.

During the Arthajama puja at night, only the Padam-feet of Lord Shiva are taken to Palli Arai (bed room) in Shiva temples.  Here, Lord Shiva Himself is taken in.  There is a separate idol for this purpose.  This is placed in the Artha Mandap in the temple.  Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthi graces from a shrine with left leg pressed on the ground in a meditation style.  Indra puja is performed in the temple during Purattasi (September-October) as Indira worshipped Lord here, with the shrine decorated with vegetables, fruits and sweet preparations.

Navagraha puja for the nine planets is the first performed in the temple.  A Spatika Linga – Crystal Linga – is placed near the presiding deity with the precious stones related to the nine planets and the pulses.  The flower offered to Sun during this puja is taken and offered to Sun in the shrine in the prakara.  Then they chant the 300 Rudra Mantras performing the Rudra Chatha Archana for relief from planet effects.  This is performed each day. We are familiar with the story of Arjuna beating Lord Shiva not knowing the truth.  To make amends for his act, Arjuna was born as Kannappa in the next birth and offered his eyes to Lord Shiva, blessed and elevated to the status of Nayanmars.  Remembering this event, Kannappa is taken in procession on the Mrigasheersha star day in the month of Thai (January-February).  There is a shrine for Sundaramurthy Nayanar with Sangili Nachiar.  Special pujas are performed to Sri Ramalinga Vallalar on Thai Poosam day (January-February) with procession.  There is Vallalar idol in Lord Shanmugha shrine.

During his pilgrimage, Arujuna struck a swine which was also shot at simultaneously by Lord Shiva in the guise of a hunter.  Lord Shiva claimed the animal as His.  Arujuna countered the claim.  In the battle that followed between the two, Arujuna struck the Lord.  Lord appeared before him bleeding and smiling.  Arjuna fell at the feet of the Lord and begged His pardon.  Lord presented Arjuna the Pasupathastra misillie for which he undertook the pilgrimage.  Continuing his pilgrimage, he found a swayambulinga in this place, installed and worshipped.  As the Lord granted darshan to Arjuna in the guise of a hunter, He is named Parthaprakara Linga and Tiruvetteeswarar.