The temple is believed to be present from the period of the medieval Chola emperor Aditya I (c. 870/71 – c. 907 CE). There are two inscriptions from the period of Rajaraja I (985–1014). The first one recorded as ARE 308 of 1965-66 indicates tax exemption of land of the temple.
The epigraph written during the fifth regnal year also indicates the death of Sundara Chola, the father of king Rajaraja, in a golden palace. The second inscription recorded as ARE 309 of 1965-66 during the regnal period of Rajendra I (1012–1044) indicates exemption of tax to several pieces of land belonging to the temple.
It also mentions that the ministry met in front of the Ganapathi shrine of the temple. The inscriptions indicate the installation of the image of Surya in the temple.
Historians also believe based on hagographical evidence that the place around the temple was once surrounded by lush green fields. The place should have also been a Jain learning center as indicated by Palli. Based on works from Sambandar, it is also inferred that the place was inhabited by merchants.
The temple is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Sambandar.The temple is one of the seven shrines associated with Saptamartrikas (seven female deities in Siva temple).
Matrikas are the different forms Adi Parashakti. Matrikas are the personified powers of different Devas. Brahmani emerged from Brahma, Vaishnavi from Vishnu, Maheshvari from Shiva, Indrani from Indra, Kaumari from Skanda, Varahi from Varaha and Chamunda from Devi, and additionals are Narasimhi, Vinayaki.
This is one of the Saptamangai sthalams, seven sacred places devoted to Devi.They are also called as Saptastanam of Chakkarappalli. They are Chakkarappalli, Ariyamangai, Sulamangalam, Nallichery, Pasupathikovil, Thazhamangai and Pullamangai. The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of River Kaveri. It is located on the banks of Kudamurutti, a tributary of river Kaveri.