Sri Garuda Bhagwan, Kathru-wife of Maharshi Kashyapa and their son Karkodan had worshipped the Lord in this temple.

As serpent Karkoda and his arch rival Sri Garuda Bhagwan had worshipped in this temple, it is the staunch faith of the devotees that they would be freed from any adverse effects falling on them.  Also, as the Lord of Creation Brahmma had worshipped here, success is certain any endeavour taken by the devotee.

An atheist ignored the Vibhuti-sacred ash Prasad offered to him in the temple.  He was born a pig in his following birth and had to live in ugly muddy environment.  He realized that his condition was the result of earlier behaviour.  He bathed in the Shiva theertha and was freed from the sin.  Mother Gandhimathi Ammai was worshipped by Naga virgins in the Nagaloka – serpent world- and was installed here by a Chola king, according to history.  Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva in Rameswaram.  Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva in Mukkeeswaram.

Of the Pancha Bhooda places, Tiruvanaikaval belongs to Water, Kancheepuram to Earth, Tiruvannamalai to Fire, Kalahasthi to Wind-Vayu and Chidambaram to Space-Akasha.  The devotee can have the collective benefit of worshipping in these five shrines if he worship Lord Shiva in this temple.  Karkodan, his rival Garuda, Lord Brahmma had worshipped in this temple.  Their influence plays all benefits to the devotee here ensuring success over the rival though he/she is as strong as an elephant.

Shivalinga in the temple showed Brahmma five colours – golden yellow, red, black, white and smoke ash here.  For Sage Udangar, Shivalinga appeared as a Gem, Spatika, Gold and Diamond and as a portrait.  Lord also appeared here as Cock and controlled a wild elephant.  Urayur also has the reputation of being the birth place of Vaishnavite saint Tirupanazhwar and Saivite saint Pugazh Chola Nayanar.  Kochengatchozha Nayanar attained the Lotus Feet of  Lord in this place.

Karikal Cholan, a famous king of Chola dynasty during his travel from Kaviripoompattinam passed through this place.  A cock struck on the forehead of his elephant.  The elephant immediately began to retreat.  The king realized the greatness of the place, built a city and stayed here making it his headquarters.  The place is also called Urayur Kozhi.  Kozhi in Tamil means cock.