Once upon time both celestials and demons fought continuously with each other. Because of this there was damage on both sides and lot of lives were lost. So the celestials approached Lord Brahma and suggested him that by churning milk ocean and eat the nectar that will come out churning they can live long. Lord Brahma told this to Maha Vishnu and with his assistance churned the milk ocean. The Manthara mountain began to shake very vigorously because it could not balance. So Tirumal went to the bottom of the mountain, assumed the form of a tortoise and held the mountain. Because of this poison emerged out of the milk ocean and Lord Shiva swallowed the poison. All of us know this story upto this. The reason for the emergence of poison was neglecting Lord Shiva and not worshipping him. So they worshipped Lord Shiva. Now Maha Vishnu once again held the mountain firmly. Lot of rare things came out of the milk ocean. When the celestials were about to take the nectar, Tirumal assumed the form of a charming lady named Mohini and by deceiving the demons gave the nectar to celestials only. Two demons who came to know of this  took the form of celestials and drank the nectar. Sun and Moon who saw this act of these two demons informed this matter to Tirumal. Tirumal who became angry tore each one of them into two pieces with the help of ladle he was having in his hand. Because of the benefit accrued from the nectar they drank  they did not die. They did shiva pooja and became planets Rahu and Kethu. Till today they continue give trouble to Sun and Moon who are their enemies. Tirumal who stood by holding the Manthara mountain in HIS tortoise form united all the seven seas and the water of these seven oceans shook the world vigorously. Then ate all the living creatures found in the ocean. Still its hunger did not come down. So it drank the water of the ocean. Because of this sun and moon got afraid and refused to disappear in the ocean and  hid themselves elsewhere. The entire world became dark. So the entire humanity along with celestials approached Lord Shiva and sought HIS protection. The told HIM to destroy the tortoise. Immediately Lord Shiva with the help of HIS  trident tore its body and removed the entire flesh out of it. They requested HIM  to wear the Shell(of the tortoise) as a jewel. As per their wish he wore it in his chest by attaching it in the centre of the Mala(made out of the head of Lord Brahma). Tirumal felt sorry and beseeched Lord Shiva’s pardon. Lord Shiva got yhe name the name of KOORMA SAMHARA MOORTHI having killed the tortoise.

HIS painting portrait can be seen in the Kachchaleeswarar temple  located in Parry’s corner in Chennai. Lot of Shiva moorthams portraits can be seen in that temple. One should offer on Mondays Bilva archana and sarkarai pongal neivedyam. Any danger or crisis by water and fear will be removed. The couple will live united forever.