01Called back by Vinayakar
The temple’s tradition says Sambandar, coming from Tirunallar, was passing by without noticing the shrine when Vinayakar called out to him again and again until he turned and sang; that Vinayakar stands opposite the entrance as Koovi Azhaitha Pillaiyar, the one who called. The Periya Puranam tells that Sambandar’s party, going on to nearby Bodhimangai, met a challenge from the Buddhist teachers there, and the debate that followed went in favour of the saint’s companion. The Surya Pushkarani is held to have been made by the sun himself, and a Surya puja runs for seven days from the 13th of Panguni. Shani has a shrine of his own in the prakaram.
Visiting
In the Kovilpathu locality of Karaikal, about 3 km from the bus stand; Dharmapuram is close by.
