Without getting the permission of Lord Shiva, without worshipping HIM, both the celestials and demons under the advice of Tirumal, kept Manthra hill as a churning stick, the thousand headed snake Vasuki as a rope churned the Milk ocean to get Amurth(Nectar). Tirumal by assuming the form of a tortoise held the Manthara hill with both his hands and on his back. The churning continued for some time and at a certain point of time Vasuki the snake unable to bear the pain, started to emit the powerful poison(named aalagaala visham)through its thousand heads. It started to spread on all sides and so Tirumal on seeing it went to control it. But the severity of the poison made his body black in colour. So He ran away. Now all the celestials went to Mount Kailas and worshipped Lord Shiva after getting permission from Nandhi. Seeing the changed figure of Tirumal Shiva enquired Him abou the reason for the change in His body colour etc., All of them explained to Shiva the entire story. Parvathi Devi also requested Shiva to protect them. Then Sundarar(Shiva) drank the poison brought by them. When it reached HIS throat he stopped it further going down to stomach. So Shiva got the name Neelakandar. After this when they started churning the milk ocean again with the permission of Lord Shiva, Amutham(Nectar) and various other articles also appeared in the milk ocea. Tirumal assumed the role of a beautiful damsel called Mohini and gave the nectar to Celestials and cheated the demons.

Since Lord Shiva drank the poison in order to protect all the lives of all creatures He got the name VISABAGARANA MOORTHI. To worship we should go to the place called Suruttappalli situated on the border of Chennai and Andhra Pradesh. Normally one would have seen only Tirumal in a lying position. But here in this place Shiva is seen in a lying position. Pradosham day (thirteenth day from both waning and waxing Moon)is an important here. Parvathi HIS consort is sitting next to HIM. He is in this state of unconsciousness because he drank the poison. HE SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED ON ALL Tues days by performing archana with oleander(arali) flowers. Neivedyam offered are ghee, coconut, Seasame(Yel). BY worshipping like this here one will get rid of the fear of poison. One will live long and there will be peace in the family. Tamilnadu Government is running tourist buses to visit this place.