The region around Swarnakadeswarar Temple was once fertile, abundant with paddy fields, and its people were prosperous. However, with wealth and luxuries, they became complacent and forgot the importance of worshiping God. To remind them of their devotion, Lord Shiva directed Varuna, the God of rain, to inundate the region with incessant floods. Lakes, tanks, and all water resources began to breach, causing widespread devastation. In fear, the people turned to Lord Shiva for help.
The Lord appeared as a young man, instructed the people to bring all their paddy bags from their homes, and built a dam to prevent further flooding. Though they lost their possessions, the people praised the youth as their savior. The young man, revealing that it was the Lord Himself, reminded them that God is the giver of prosperity and should not be taken for granted. He then gave the people pots of gold (Swarna) to recover their losses and disappeared. Later, Lord Shiva appeared before the people as a self-manifested (Swayambumurthi) idol. In gratitude, the villagers built the temple in His honor, and the Lord came to be known as Swarnakadeswarar, after the gold (Swarna) He gave them.
Administration History :
The Swarnakadeswarar Temple has a rich history of patronage, having been reconstructed and maintained during the Chozha period with contributions from rulers like Kulothunga Chozha and Vijayanagara King Krishnadeva Rayar. Over the centuries, the temple has undergone several renovations as recorded in inscriptions. Currently, the temple is under the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) of the Tamil Nadu Government. Regular maintenance, rituals, and festivals are managed by the HR&CE, ensuring the preservation of its spiritual and historical significance. Devotees and local communities also contribute to its upkeep. Periodic kumbhabhishekam’s are conducted to maintain the sanctity of the temple.