The inscriptions and records are not clear as to when the temple started, but you will come across inscriptions from the Medieval Cholas periods which tell us that generous gifts were given to the temple. You will also find two engravings which have been documented in Tirunageswaram from the Naganathar Temple. The eulogy bearing the serial numbers - 211 of 1911 on the wall which is on the northern side of the central shrine tells us that gift of gold jewel worked in the form of gems and pearls were gifted to the temple from the Chola king Parakesarivarman who is also known as Rajendra Chola I (1012–44 CE). You will also come across a second inscription numbered 218 of 1911 on the shrine's southern wall which tells us that land in the form of a gift was given to the temple in the 14th year of King Rajaraja Rajakkesarivarman I belonging to the Chola dynasty.Many temples in Tamil Nadu have a tradition is that the original image of the presiding deity is crafted out of wood and was replaced later with stone. Many additions were also made to the temple by Achuthappa Nayak (1560–1614) and Raghunatha Nayak (1600–34) and Govinda Dikshitar, the minister of successive Nayak rulers.