The temple is situated at a higher level near the confluence of Amaravathi and Kudirai Aaru rivers.  As Mariamman is taking care of the people from a fort-like place, She is called Kottai Mariamman.  The place was earlier known as Kumanan Nagar after the name of the then ruler Kumanan and also as Kuzhumur as a group of traders were doing business there.  Group in Tamil means Kuzhu.  Finally, Kozhumam came to stay.

Devotees seek the grace of Mariamman for remedy from eye sore, for family welfare and prosperity.  The theertha – puja water – is applied on the eyes by the patients.

A lamp is perennially burning in the sanctum sanctorum.  The temple is facing east on the banks of River Amaravathi.   While planning any auspicious event in the family, devotees proceed on the programme only after obtaining the approval of Mariamman by placing a flower on Her head.

A fisherman spread his net on Amaravathi river for fishing and got only a stone in the shape of A Linga.  He threw it on the banks of the river and tried again only to get the stone caught in the net again.  Only the stone was coming to the net in all his repeated attempts.  Shocked, he returned home.  Goddess Mariamman appeared in his dream that night and said that She gave the darshan to him in the form the Linga stone.  He immediately informed the people.  They gathered there but could find only a spot projecting over the ground.  They dug there but could not find the bottom.  They built the temple at the spot.