Lord of the temple is also known as Vennai Appar.  Vinayaka of the temple is Lord Varasiddhi Vinayaka.

People pray to Lord for release from sins, for wisdom and prosperity in family.

Lord Shiva in the sanctum sanctorum is seated under a Rudraksha Pandal (roof) that has 7,500 large size beads.  Sages Sanaka, Sananthanar, Sanadhanar and Sanathkumarar had worshipped Lord of this temple.  Lord Shiva, as a procession deity is in a standing form in the middle of a trident symbolizing the oneness of Shiva and Shakti and the Arthanareeswara form. Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva is in a worshipping form spinning together its front legs, which is explained as if Nandhi is appealing to Lord for the welfare of the devotees.  It is said that as Lord Shiva Himself built a dam (Anai in Tamil) with paddy (Nel in Tamil) the place was named Nel Anai which later changed as Neivanai.

Mother Neela Malar Kanni graces from a separate shrine on the left of Lord.  The well – Theertha Kinaru – is opposite this temple. Lord Mahavishnu graces from the front Mandap with Mother Mahalakshmi on His lap in a worshipping form as Lord Lakshmi Narayana.  Both look with closed eyes as if in meditation.  There is a separate shrine for Lord Nataraja.  There are shrines for Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Navagrahas the nine planets. Lord Kasi Viswanatha, Mother Visalakshi in the prakara.  Special pujas are offered to Sri Bhairava on new moon days.  It was dark when Saint Gnanasambandar reached this place during his pilgrimage.  He had difficulty in tracing the path.  Lord sent Ambica to guide Sambandar to the temple.  The place from where Mother called the child saint is called Ethalavadi nearby.  In his excitement, Sambandar danced and sang the praise of Lord.  The idol of Gnanasambandar is designed in a dancing form beautifully.  Saints Appar-Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar are nearby.

Once the place was very fertile with paddy fields and people were happy and prosperous.  Wealth and luxuries made people forget God.  Lord directed Varuna the God of rain to pour his power incessantly in the region.  Heavy floods began to threaten their safety.  Lakes, tanks and all water resources began to breach.  People ran to Lord for safety.  Lord came as a youth, asked the people to bring all the paddy bags from their homes and built a dam preventing further calamity.  Though the people lost their possessions, they praised the youth as their saviour.  He said that God was the giver of prosperity and they should not be ungrateful to the Almighty.  The young man gave them pots of gold (Swarna) and advised them to recover the loss by using it and disappeared.  When the villagers were wonderstruck, Lord appeared before them as Swaymabu.  People built the temple then.  As the Lord gave them Swarna-gold, He is praised as Swarnakadeswarar.