As per Hindu legend, Chandra (moon god) is believed to have worshipped Shiva in the place and Shiva appeared for him.
As per another legend, Garuda, Vishnu's eagle vehicle, carried nectar to cure his mother and was intercepted by demons. Three drops of nectar fell from his pot and they became the lingam, goddess and a holy spring. Garuda took a holy dip in the spring and won the battle. The spring is called Jadayu Theertham.
The city of Pazhayarai was one of the capital towns of the Chola empire. The temple is a part of the series of temples built by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) along the banks of river Cauvery to commemorate his victory in the Tirupurambiyam battle. The temple is revered by the verses of the 7-8th-century saint poets Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar in Tevaram and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
This temple is in the centre of the once famous Pazhayarai city, surrounded by Pazhayari Vadathali in the north, Araimetrali in the west and Thenthali in the south. This is the birthplace of Mangayarkarasiyar, a saint amongst the 63 nayanmars. It is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams sung by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Sambandar and Appar.
The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of River Kaveri. It is located on the banks of both Mudikondan River and Tirumalarajanar River, tributaries of river Kaveri.
Pazhayarai Gopuram view
The temple has a gopuram (gateway tower) in dilapidated state. The gopuram is believed to have been constructed during the later part of 12th-13th century by Later Cholas.
The second precinct has a two-tiered gopuram. The sanctum and the walls around the sanctum are built in granite and the structure houses the shrine of Someswarar in the form of lingam (aniconic form of Shiva). There is a shrine for his consort Someswari and the navagrahas.
Temple view
The scene of Ravana lifting Mount Kailash is carved in this temple. There is a sculpture of Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu, believed to be made during the Chola period. The first of the two shows the fight between the eight-handed Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu.
The other panel depicts the earlier scene where Prahlada prays and Narasimha emerges from a pillar. The other panel shows Narsimha tearing the insides of the demon thrown in his legs. The image of Ardhanareeswarar is considered a sculptural masterpiece.