Sages Narada, Agasthya, Mrugandu and Indira, Vali, Nandhi had worshipped the Lord in this temple.

It is firmly believed that worshipping the Lord in this temple would bring in as much benefits to the devotee if he/she worships the Lord in Kasi – Varanasi.  The worship brings peace of mind to the devotee.   

The tower of the temple was simply flat till the year 1967.  In the year 1990, a tower, as tall as 180 feet was very artistically built and the temple looks quite majestically now.  To facilitate enjoying the natural beauty of Tenkasi, broad roads are laid from the nine points of the tower, as if the devotee is walking on the space.  At the ninth point of the tower, a balcony is also constructed to go round the tower.

The temple is noted for the three importances of Murthy (the deity), Thalam (holiness of the place) and theertham the holy water attributed to the temple.  The Presiding deity is Sri Kasi Viswanatha with Mother Ulgamman.  Shenbagam tree and Kasi theertham add to the importance of the temple.  The beauty of the sculptures of the temple is widely known the world over.  The twin sculptures – the Veerabadras, Thandavamurthis, two Tamil Mothers, Rathi and Manmatha (the cupid and his beautiful wife Rathi), single sculptures as Lord Vishnu and Kali Devi are noted for their exquisite beauty.

About 700 years ago, King Parakrama Pandiya was taking up a pilgrimage to Kasi as and when he desired to worship Lord Viswanatha.  The Lord appeared in his dream that he could build a temple here itself to avoid a long journey to north.  He advised the king to follow the movement of ants’ row and build the temple where it ended.  The ant-line ended on the banks Chitraru River dense with Shenbaga trees.  He found a swayambulinga near an anthill and built the temple as directed by the Lord.