The Shrine of Goddess is in the outer corridor (prakara) of the temple facing south.

Devotees pray for happy conclusions of marriage alliances, excellence in arts and remedy from illness.

Moon (Chandra) prayed here to get back his radiance called Kalai day by day and for remedy from breathing troubles. Sage Tirunavukkarasar observed fast in the temple. There are just a few houses in the place almost in a dilapidated condition. The monument of Sri Sivaprakasa swamigal is here. The temple is praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his Tirupugazh hyms.

The story of the place (Sthalapurana) has 15 chapters. The idols of Sri Kailasanathar and Mother Durga in the great hall (Mahamandapam) are very beautiful. Pazhayarai was the second capital of the later Chola kings.

It is said that worshipping in five places around this temple in a single day on the Dakshinayana Punyakala day -1) Nallur, 2) Valanchuzhi, 3) Sathimuttram, 4) Patteeswaram and 5) Avur would be very beneficial to the devotee.

Dakshinayana period covers six months commencing from July-August to December-January – in the Tamil calendar from Aadi to Margazhi. The Aadi Amavasya day (New moon day) is considered very auspicious when all Hindus perform Tarpan in memory of their forefathers.

Garuda, the eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu got a nectar pot from Devendra and passed through this place to free his mother from slavery. He was intercepted by some demons when three drops of nectar fell on this place. The three drops became a Shivalinga, Mother Goddess and a holy spring. Garuda bathed in the spring and won. A holy spring made by Garuda individually is called Jadayu theertham.