The legend of Thiruveezhimizhalai begins with the demon Chalandaran, who took the disc of Lord Vishnu. Seeking its retrieval, Chalandaran approached Lord Shiva for assistance. In response, Lord Shiva revealed that Vishnu was residing among the Veezhi plants on Earth and instructed Chalandaran to worship him there to regain the disc.
Vishnu arrived at this sacred location, created a pond in his name, and began to worship Shiva with the holy water (theertham) and lotus flowers. However, he realised he was one flower short for his offering. To compensate, Vishnu offered his own eye in devotion. This act led to the custom of offering eye symbols carved from silver, gold, or copper during worship. Pleased with Vishnu's heartfelt puja, Lord Shiva returned his disc, and the eye offered by Vishnu remains at the feet of Lord Shiva to this day.
Sthala Puranam :
Sage Katyayana and his wife, Sumangala, were childless for many years and undertook rigorous penance, which pleased Mother Parvati. In response to their devotion, Parvati was born to them, named Kathyayani. From a young age, she was determined to marry Lord Shiva. On the auspicious day of Magha Nakshatra, Shiva presented himself in a resplendent form as a bridegroom to marry her at this sacred location.
As the wedding approached, there was a slight delay. To tease Kathyayani, Shiva declared that if the bride did not appear soon, he would leave for Kashi forever. Just as he spoke, Kathyayani emerged, and the marriage took place in the sanctum, which resembles a wedding hall, complete with arasanikkaal and pandakkal. The sage requested that Shiva and Parvati remain in their Kalyana Kolam (wedding form) at this temple, and they obliged.
In this context, Shiva is also locally referred to as Mappillai Swami (the bridegroom lord). It is believed that the tradition of the Kasi-Yatra ceremony in many weddings stems from this episode. Behind the Shiva Lingam in the garbhagriha, a panel depicting the wedding of Shiva and Parvati is featured, along with a separate shrine for the divine couple in their Kalyana Kolam next to the garbhagriha.
Vishnu's Quest for Shiva's Chakram : In another significant event, Vishnu once used his chakram against Sage Dadhichi, but the weapon was blunted upon touching the sage. Realising that Shiva had previously used a chakram to overcome the demon Jalandhara at Virkudi, Vishnu sought Shiva's assistance by offering the temple's vimanam (called the Vinnizhi Vimanam) and installing a murti of Shiva inside. Shiva instructed Vishnu to pray with a thousand flowers, and during the prayers, he took away two flowers. Unable to find the final two flowers, Vishnu offered his eyes as a replacement. Moved by this devotion, Shiva reappeared and gifted Vishnu the chakrayudham, which has since become part of Vishnu's divine attributes. Additionally, Shiva bestowed upon Vishnu the name Kamalakannan. These events are referenced in the pathigams of Appar and Sambandar concerning this temple, and the annual festival procession includes the episode of Vishnu offering his eye instead of flowers.
Appar and Sambandar's Influence : When Appar and Sambandar visited this temple, the region was suffering from severe drought and famine. To alleviate the suffering of the locals, the two saints prayed to Shiva, who promised to provide them with one gold coin each day to distribute among the needy. Sambandar received his coin on a peetham in front of the maha mandapam, while Appar received his on a peetham in the western part of the temple. To tease Sambandar, Shiva initially provided him with coins of inferior quality compared to those given to Appar. Sambandar sang a pathigam (Vaasi teerave, kasu nalkuveer) to plead for equal quality coins, which pleased Shiva, and he received better coins as a result. The location where the two saints distributed food to the locals is on North Car Street (Vadakku Therodum Veedhi). During this time, Sambandar expressed a desire to see the Lord in his hometown of Sirkazhi. Shiva instructed him to climb the Vinnizhi Vimanam, from where he was granted a vision of Thoniappar at Sirkazhi.
Prarthana Sthalam : This temple is a prarthana sthalam for individuals wishing to succeed in business and, due to its rich sthala puranam, for those seeking marriage.
Administration History :
This temple has been under the administrative control of the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam for centuries. Over time, it underwent significant renovations, including during the Chola and Vijayanagara periods. The Maha Kumbabishekam (consecration ceremony) was conducted in recent years on 20th January 2000 and 11th September 2013. Numerous inscriptions reflect its rich administrative and cultural history.