There is a legend behind this temple. Long back there lived three demons by the name of Vidyunmali, Kamaakshan and Tharukakshan. They prayed to Lord Brahma for receiving boons from him and performed series of rigorous penance in order to please him. Lord Brahma was pleased with them and granted them a special power which would keep them immortal. After receiving this power, the demons started creating havoc on earth disturbing the lives of one and all. They used their powers in a malefic way. Seeing this, the devta's went to Lord Shiva for their protection. Shiva made a plan to fight against the demons and with the help of Earth as rath whose wheels were sun and moon; he planted the devtas as his army. While this was happening, the devtas started to realize their importance and thought that lord Shiva could not gain victory without their help. This gave an idea to the Lord to destroy and teach lesson to the demons as well as the devta's at the same time. He did not use any weapon or took any help from his army members. The lord just laughed which brought out a ball of fire from his mouth. This fire ball destroyed the demons and also destroyed the pride and arrogance of the devtas. After this incident, the place became very pious and eventually the temple was built as a mark for destroying the ill effects from one's life.