The Lord of this sacred place,  has been worshipped by Rama, Jatayu and others.  The Lord here is in ‘Bhujanga sayanam’ facing east under the ‘Sobhana Vimanam’ and bestows His blessings.

This holy place is dedicated to the Buda (Mercury) planet and so prayers to absolve evils, especially for the departed souls are considered good in this place.  Those who meet with hurdles for their wedding also pray here.

Sri Rama granted moksa to the bird Jataayu and performed funeral rites to him.  Since this sacred place points to this incident, the place came to be known as ‘Tiruppullam-pudangudi’.  In the Vishnava tradition there are two ‘pudapuris’ for the Vaishnavas – one is Sri Perumpudur near Kanchipuram.  Here was born Sri Ramanuja and the place is consecrated by the alvars.  The other one is Tiruppullampudangudi, near Thanjavur and the acharyas consecrated this place.  The most significant aspect is that Sri Rama appears in lying posture.  When Tirumangai Alvar came to this place, thinking that there was some other deity he went without taking notice of the deity. Suddenly there appeared a  bright effulgence and from it Sri Rama revealed Himself with Conch and Wheel (changu and chakram). Seeing this beatific vision Tirumangai Alvar sang 10 songs meaning, “ To know what it is I went without knowing it”. Sri Rama could not perform funeral rites to his father King Dasartha; but he felt happy and satisfied for having performed the rites for Jataayu.  Hence. Rama of this place is called ‘Valvil Raman’.

When Ravana abducted Seetha and carried her,  the King of the eagles Jataayu fought with him.  Ravana smashed him with his sword and Jataayu lay half-dead moaning ‘Rama, Rama’. Hearing this feeble moaning, Rama and Lakshmana who were crossing that area went near and saw the dying bird.  Jataayu breathed his last after informing them about Ravana’s abduction of Seetha.  The sorrow-stricken Rama wanted to perform the funeral rites to Jataayu.  The rule is, when such rites are performed, the wife should be present.  Since Seetha was not there, Rama wholeheartedly thought of her.  At once, Bhooma Devi, Seetha’s image appeared to help Rama.  Rama with Her help conducted the funeral rites for Jataayu. Reminiscent of this incident, this temple was erected.