A maharishi once committed a wrong against Lord Shiva and was cursed to be reborn as a deer in a forest dense with mango trees at this sacred place. The rishi, now a deer, was born to other deer, who were actually demons in their previous birth. These demons, in their deer forms, abandoned the baby deer for prey. Lord Shiva, along with Mother Parvati, appeared as hunters and shot the demon-deer, releasing them from their curses. They then found the baby deer, the rishi in his earlier birth, waiting for its parents. Mother Parvati fed the hungry baby deer, and Lord Shiva consoled it, finally releasing the rishi from his curse. At the rishi’s request, Lord Shiva and Parvati chose to stay at this holy site.
Sthala Puranam :
Mandurai is renowned as the birthplace of Sage Markandeya. There are two main legends explaining the origin of the name "Mandurai."
Mango Grove Legend: The temple was originally situated in a mango grove. Lord Shiva, as the Lord of this groove, is referred to as Aamravaneswarar (Aam meaning mango in Sanskrit).
Deer Legend: According to this legend, a sage who had committed a sin was cursed to be reborn as a deer (maan in Tamil). The deer was born to other deer who were actually demons cursed to be in deer form. Abandoned by the herd and awaiting to be hunted, the deer (the sage) repented for his past actions. Lord Shiva, taking pity, hunted down the other deer (demons) and freed them from their curses. He also saved the young deer, which was then cared for by Parvati. Lord Shiva bestowed a mango tree to the young deer, who was subsequently released from his curse and returned to his sage form. The sage requested Shiva and Parvati to remain in this sacred place, and they did, as did Aamravaneswarar and Balambikai.
Usha's Legend: Usha, unable to tolerate the intense heat of her husband, Suryan (the Sun God), decided to return to her father, Vishwakarma. In response, Suryan created Chaya, a replica of Usha, to fulfil wifely duties. Usha transformed into a horse and came to pray to Lord Shiva to be reunited with her husband. Over time, Suryan noticed the differences between Usha and Chaya and learned from Vishwakarma that Usha was not at her father’s place. To reunite with Usha, Suryan reduced his heat, and they were eventually reunited.
This temple is also significant for various deities seeking redemption:
Brahma was absolved of his sin of lying about having seen the top of the column of fire in which Shiva manifested.
Suryan and Chandran (the Moon God) were relieved of their sins associated with Daksha’s Yagam.
Indra, who had wronged Ahalya, was pardoned after worshipping Lord Shiva here.
It is believed that devotees who worship at this temple are relieved of their sins, whether committed knowingly or unknowingly. Adi Shankaracharya visited and worshipped at this temple, and there is a shrine dedicated to him as Guru, facing south in a koshtam (niche).
Worshipping at this temple is considered especially beneficial for those born under the Moolam Nakshatram.