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Origin/History :-
The temple is estimated to be 1,500 years old. It was built and renovated by the rulers of the Hoysala, Chola, and Pandya dynasties.
The temple is located on the northern bank of the Kollidam (Coleroon) River.
The ancient name of the place was “Pachil Kutrathu Achiramam,” which later evolved to “Pachilachiramam.”
During the Chola and Pandya periods, the region on the northern bank of the Kollidam River was known as “Parchil Kutram,” and the surrounding village was called Thiruvachiramam. This name later changed to Thiruvasi.
The area was historically covered with Vanni trees, leading to the alternative name “Sameevanam.” The deity in this temple is thus also known as Sri Sameevaneswarar.
The temple is associated with Lord Brahma, who is believed to have worshipped the deity here. As a result, the deity is also honoured as “Sri Brahmapureeswarar.”
- Sthalapuranam 1 :
The region, once known as Mazhanadu, was ruled by King Kolli Mazhavan. His daughter suffered from a severe disease, one that no doctor of the time could cure. In desperation, the king left his daughter in the care of Lord Shiva, praying for her recovery, and departed, placing his trust in the divine. During his pilgrimage, Saint Thirugnanasambandar arrived at this place and saw the girl in distress. Moved by her suffering, the king explained her illness to the saint and earnestly pleaded for a remedy.
In response, Saint Sambandar composed and sang a Pathigam (ten verses) in praise of Lord Nataraja. Pleased with the devotion and prayer of the saint, Lord Nataraja appeared and transformed the disease afflicting the princess into Muyalagan (a symbol of ignorance), which he crushed beneath his dancing feet. As the Lord performed his divine dance, the princess was miraculously cured and stood upright, fully healed.
This event not only showcased the divine grace of Lord Nataraja but also highlighted the power of devotion and the saint's miraculous intervention.
- Sthalapuranam 2 :
Saint Sundarar, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, often received gold from the Lord to support and sustain the Shiva devotees accompanying him. After worshipping Lord Shiva in Tiruvanaika, Sundarar arrived at the Maatrurai Varadeeswarar Temple and sang hymns in praise of the Lord, seeking gold as he usually did. However, this time, Lord Shiva remained silent.
Frustrated by the lack of response, Sundarar, in a raised voice, sang another Pathigam (ten verses), questioning if Lord Shiva truly existed. Shortly after, the saint received the gold he had asked for. Yet, Sundarar became suspicious of its purity and examined it closely.
At that moment, two men approached him and inquired why he was inspecting the gold so intently. Sundarar, still uncertain, asked them to help evaluate its authenticity. One of the men confirmed the purity of the gold, while the other approved it. Immediately after their assessment, both men vanished.
Realising his doubt might have offended the Lord, Sundarar sang again, apologising for his disbelief. Lord Shiva then appeared before Sundarar and revealed that He Himself had been one of the assessors, and the other was none other than Lord Vishnu. This divine incident led to Lord Shiva being worshipped as Maatrurai Nather, meaning "the Lord who confirmed the purity of gold"—where Maatru refers to the touch or testing of gold.
- Sthalapuranam 3 :
There is a legend about a wealthy and childless businessman named Kamalan from Pachur, who was a devout follower of Lord Shiva. One day, while returning home from the temple, he heard the cries of an abandoned baby girl. Moved with compassion, he took the infant in and raised her as his own daughter, naming her Amalai.
As Amalai grew up, she became a devout devotee of Lord Shiva. When the time came for her marriage, Kamalan arranged for her to marry his brother-in-law. However, Amalai’s deepest wish was to marry Lord Shiva himself. Her sincere prayers and devotion reached the Lord, and He decided to fulfil her wish.
On the day of the wedding, Lord Shiva appeared at Kamalan's house, disguised as Kamalan’s brother-in-law, and married Amalai. After the marriage, the divine couple left, telling Kamalan they were heading to the temple. Shortly after, Kamalan's real brother-in-law arrived, and it became clear that the Lord had taken his place.
Realising the divine intervention, Kamalan and his family rushed to the temple. There, they witnessed Lord Shiva seated on His mount, Nandi, with Amalai by His side, now as Goddess Parvati. As a divine sign, Goddess Parvati threw her anklet onto the ground. At the spot where it fell, a river began to flow. This river was initially known as the Silambam River, in reference to the anklet, but over time, it came to be called the Panguni River.