Lord Sri Ganapathy graces with an Akshara mala in His hand facing north in the outer corridor – prakara of the temple.

People pray for removal of obstacles in marriage alliances, for child boon and achievements in education.

As the Iravadha elephant worshipped in this temple, its image could be seen on the Shivalinga. Lord Iravadeswarar and Mother Kamakshi in a standing form behind the Shivalinga grace from the same sanctum sanctorum. Sri Dakshinamurthy graces by destroying the ignorance and arrogance in men and women, He is known as Samhara (destroyer) Dakshinamurthy blessing the devotees with wisdom and humility.

The temple has two presiding deities. Besides the one mentioned above, Lord Shiva graces with Mother Akilandeswari from the other sanctum sanctorum.

There is an ancient anthill (generally called Pambu Puttru as snakes reside in them) in the southwest corner. This was of sand in the ancient days and became too solid as a rock.

This is also a temple for Sun Worship. During the month of Thai (January-February) the rays of Sun fall on the Lord when special pujas are performed. To avoid any hindrance to the puja, the Nandhi in the temple is slightly siding from the direct view from the Lord. As Nandhi is on a side to facilitate Surya puja, other planets are also in a calm and sitting form.

As a tradition, no image is carved on Shivalingas. It is very rare. There is the snake image on the Linga in Kunnathur Nageswaram temple in Tirunelveli district and one such in the Hosur temple with Iravadha elephant image.

Demon Vruddhasura was harassing the Devas, the beings in the celestial world. They appealed to their king Indira to protect them from the demon. Indira, marching on his Iravadha elephant, fought with the demon and killed him. The killing caused the Brahmmahathi dosha (effect of sin of committing a murder). They installed a Linga on the banks of Agasthya river as advised by a voice from the sky. They were relieved of the sin then. As elephant (hasti in Sanskrit) worshipped here, the place came to be known as Hastimukam which later changed as Athimukam.