There are Lord Shiva Temples on the four directions of this temple at Erumbur, Avaniapuram, Injimedu and Pudukottai.  There are also temples for Veetrirundha Perumal (Lord Vishnu in sitting form), Valargiri Velmurugan, Kannan, Varada Anjaneya, Angala Parameswari and Jain Temples.  Etti Amman temple is in north of the temple who is the guardian deity of the place.  There is the bali peeta and elephant sculptures and a beautiful statue of a male.

Devotees pray for crossing over the sea of birth and death to reach the shores attaining total salvation.

The name of the place derives from the story that two kings fought against the other in this place.  This was Peranimallur in the beginning.  In course of time, this changed as Peranamallur.  It is also said that as a dam was later built across the Panai River, it was named Peranamanallur.  During his journey to Pazhayari, Chola King stayed for a rest.  Hence, this was the capital for many surrounding villages.

Lord Shiva, as a swayambumurthy graces from a shrine of Gajabrushta design.  There is a story that a spider with the blessings it earned from Lord Shiva, was born as Kochengat Chozha.  That the temple was built by him is evidenced from the spider and elephant symbols on a pillar.  The sacred tank also is named after the king.  The pillars contain many epigraphic details.  There are Naga figures on the upper wall of the Vidhana.   The main entrance of the temple is on the southern side.  The lamp post is outside the temple.  The lamp post has trident of Lord Shiva, Sun, Moon, Nandhi and Vinayaka and Lord Muruga sculptures.   There is also an idol of Kamadenu pouring its milk on Lord Shiva.

There is also a Vinayaka sculpture so ancient belonging to Pallava period in a sitting form.  Aipasi Annabishekam takes place in October-November.  Special pujas are performed on full moon and pradosha days.  In the corridor-prakara of Lord Shiva, are shrines for Lord Muruga, Navagrahas the nine planets, Bhairava.  Sri Jeshtadevi, sister of Mahalakshmi also appears as a carved sculpture in a sitting form.  She is holding the crow flag and donkey vahan.  There are also two boys nearby.

The temple was built by Kochengat Chola, a staunch Shiva devotee.  Panaiaru river was flowing through this place dense with trees.  He built the temple on the banks of the river.  A shrine was also built for Mother Tiripurasundari.  As the temple is on a river karai (bank) and also as the destination for a devotee to reach the shores of salvation, Lord Shiva is named as Tirukarai Easwarar bearing this meaning.