Presiding Lord Muruga in the temple reminds us the very appearance of that of the Lord in Tiruchendur.  The peacock Mandap is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Idumban shrine is in the north of the entrance near the tower.  Lord Kasi Viswanatha with Mother Visalakshi and Lord Vinayaka grace the devotees from separate shrines.

Every precious stone – Ratna -is compared with woman.  9 women, Manickavalli, Muthuvalli, Pushparagavalli, Komedhagavalli, Vaiduryavalli, Vairavalli, Maragathavalli, Pavalavalli and Neelavalli delivered nine male children known as Veerabaghu Thevar, Veerakesari, Veera Mahendra, Veera Maheswara, Veera Purandhara, Veera Rakkadha, Veera Marthanda, Veeranthaka and Veeradheera respectively - Nava Veeras – nine warriors commanding the divisions of the army of Lord Muruga.

A proverb in Tamil says, no medicine is superior to Chukku (this is generally known as dried ginger) and no God superior to Lord Subramanya.  Those affected with serpent planet aspects, those consuming Siddha medicines for serious ailments and those practising Siddha medicine should seek the blessings of Kovanur Sri Muruga for best results.

There was a little boy in Kovanur named Sathappan ever in the thought of Almighty.  While wandering in the forest, he supplied water to thirsty sages there.  Pleased with the boy’s behaviour, with a view to bring out the spiritual power in him, they taught him a Mantra.  When he grew old, he made this temple his home and came to be known as Sathappa Gnani.  This is the little boy – Sathappa Gnani was instrumental for the emergence of Sivagangai Cheemai.  He was the Rajaguru of Sivaganga kings.

Sage Agasthya, after worshipping Poovana Nathar in Tirupuvanam was proceeding to Kanaper to worship Lord Kaleesar and it was sunset time then.  He prayed to Lord and created a spring for his puja.  While in meditation, the spring water in his Kamandala – a hand bowl with a handle) touched a plant near by and made it Pooneer – Flower Water.  This is the water used in Siddha medicines.  To gather this water, Siddhas and Siddha practitioners come to this temple for the darshan of Lord Muruga before 6.00 a.m. on the Poornima day –full moon day in Chithirai – April-May, Thai Poosam in January-February, Masi Magam in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April to gather this Pooneer.

Sage Agasthya realizing the sacredness of the place of his Ishta Devatha and Guru Lord Subramanya, installed Him with His consorts Valli and Devasena.  The sage also pursued the Pandya King to install the Murthi Prathishta.  The peacock in the mandap is sculpted beautifully as catching a snake in its mounth.