Lord Atchipureeswarar is also praised as Acheswarar and Achu Kondu Arulia Thevar.  Lord Vinayaka is known as Achu Muri Vinayaka.  The Rajagopuram is of five tier structure.  Lord Srinivasa with Mother Alamelumanga Thayar graces in a shrine in Prakara.

It is strongly believed that prayer to Lord Atchipureeswarar would elevate the devotee to ruling position with management abilities.  Also as the Lord is in the form ‘Letters – Akshara’ the devotee will shine in education.  Participation in the special pujas would relieve the devotees from various doshas following them from birth to birth and also remove obstacles in the way of professional progress and ensure peace of mind.

Maharshis Kanva and Gauthama worshipped Lord in this temple.

While a Pandya King was on a pilgrimage to Lord Shiva shrines, the axis of his car was broken.  While his men were repairing the wheel, the king noticed a golden chameleon (pachondhi – a lizard-like creature often found climbing trees and changing is colours) and followed it.  The creature hid itself in a Sarakondrai tree.  When his men axed the tree, it began to bleed but the chameleon could not be traced despite all efforts.  Lord appeared in the dream of the king and told him that He appeared here in the guise of the creature to inform that He was there as a swayambu.

The king, taking the command of the Lord decided to build the temple.  He came across a Shiva devotee Trinetradhari and sought his help in the undertaking.  Leaving the job to the devotee, king proceeded on his pilgrimage.  When he came to meet the devotee, he saw the temple with two presiding deities in two sanctum sanctorum.  One was in the middle of the temple with a flag post (kodi maram) and Nandhi for Atchipureeswarar and the second behind this opposite to the Rajagopuram for Umai Atchipureeswarar.  In this sanctum, Lord graces in the Shiva-Parvathi wedding form behind the Shivalinga.

When the king asked the devotee for this form, the devotee said, “Lord who graced you, graced me too in the form of chameleon.  I built one sanctum for the Lord who graced you as Umai Atcheeswarar – (the word Umai means “You” the king) and one for Emai Atcheeswarar (Emai meaning Me the devotee) which is the main sanctum.”  The King agreed to the formula.  Emai Atcheeswarar the Swayambulinga is considered prominent.  The flag post and Nandhi are slightly away from the Rajagopuram.

The devotee, Trinetradhari graces in the shrine of Sarakondrai Easwarar under the tree in a worshipping form.  Flowers blossom in the tree only during the Chithirai festival days.

Lord Achumuri Vinayaka (Vinayaka who broke the axis of the car of Lord Shiva – this story forms part of the history of the temple) graces outside the temple facing west.  This event is mentioned in the first Tirupugazh of saint Arunagirinathar as Achiru Vinayaka.  It is believed that prayer to Achiru Vinayaka would help the devotee to defeat the obstacles coming in the way of his/her endeavours.

Three cruel demons Tharaka, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali, proud of the boons and the resultant powers they gained from Lord Brahamma through their intense penance, began to harass the Devas violently.  Unable to face their onslaught, Devas appealed to Lord Shiva for protection and freedom.  Lord Shiva combined both earth and heaven and marched against the demons.  According to rules, every work should start with Vinayaka worship.  Lord Shiva is no exception.  In his hurry to wage the war against the demons to save Devas, He forgot this protocol.  Devas too, having Lord Himself with them ignored Vinayaka.  Angry Vinayaka stopped Lord Shiva’s march by breaking the axis of His car. Axis in Tamil means Achu.  Realizing the mistake, Lord asked Vinayaka to help in His mission.  Son immediately obeyed.  This event took place here.  Hence, the place came to be known as Achu Iru Bagam (where axis broke) and later Achirupakkam came to stay.  Lord is Atcheeswarar.