Shiva is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or the "God of healing" and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure diseases. It is one of the nine Navagraha (nine planets) temples associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka). The village is also known for palm leaf astrology called Naadi astrology in Tamil.One of the nine planets, Angaraka (Mars), suffered from leprosy and was cured by Vaidhyanathaswamy. Shiva is considered to be the Divine Healer called Vaidyanathar.  His consort Thaiyalnaayaki is said to accompany him with a vessel containing medicinal oil. There is also a shrine dedicated to Dhanwantari here. The prasadam offered at this temple is Thiruchaandu Urundai placed at the Thaiyalnayaki shrine and distributed.Another prasadam offered here is sandal paste referred to as Nettirapidi Chandanam.Lord Shiva in this temple is swayambumurthi.

The holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex contains nectar, and a holy dip is believed to cure all diseases.The temple is revered by the Tevaram hymns of 7th-century Saiva nayanars - Tamil saint poets and is also classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam (temple revered by the nayanars).

The place is also known as Pullirukkuvelur.During the Ramayana period, Rama, Lakshmana and Saptarishi have worshipped the deity in this place.It is believed that Rama and his brother Lakshmana cremated the vulture king Jatayu who was killed by Ravana when he tried to prevent the abduction of Sita at this place. There is a pond at this temple called Jatayu kundam (pot of Jatayu having holy ash of Vibhuti).