Legend says that in this Sthalam Vaali as Monkey,Indra as Squrril (Anil),Emadharmaraja as Crow(kaakam) worshipped Lord shiva to get rid of their curse.Hence the name Kuranganilmuttam.This temple was built by Mahendra varma pallava.Lord Brahmma had worshipped Lord shiva here when this place used to be called as Thiruilanthai and Lord was called as Koyyamalainathar.