Lord Vishnu when he took the Avatar of Rama stayed here for resting when he was going to Sri Lanka with the Vanara Sena to rescue his wife Sita. He choose an Amla tree to rest and during the process felt a Shiv Linga beneath his feet. To get salvation from having touched the Lingam with his feet, Lord Rama did a penance for 48 days and at the end, Lord Shiva gave Dharshan to him and absolved him from the sin. Lord Rama also requested the god to bring the Lingam above the ground so devotees could worship. And as requested Lord Shiva brought the Lingam above the ground and this is the lingam that is installed in the temple and it is a Swayambu Lingam that evolved on its own, this is considered to be more powerful.Lord Rama accepted Lord Shiva as his Guru and prayed him to give him knowledge about where his wife is kept after abduction by the demon Ravana. Lord Shiva along with his consort Parvati appeared again and guided Lord Rama to Sri Lanka.

All full moon days are festivals days in the temple. Pradhosham is also celebrated here by offering special pujas and prayers. Sivarathri is celebrated grandly in this temple. As Lord Rama had considered Lord Shiva, here at this temple he is worshipped as Guru Bhagwan. Hence the planetary alignment that happens while Guru changes positions is celebrated as Guru Peyarchi in this temple.