The vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is called Ekadala Vimana.  Vinayaka in the temple is Lord Valanchuzhi Madhanga Vinayaka.  Mother Aananda Vadabadra Makali Amman graces from a separate shrine with Her 8 hands holding weapons.  She is on a swing in the sanctum sanctorum.  This darshan is considered very lucky when the swing moves to and fro.  She also comes in processions.  On poornima-full moon days-devotees light lamps made of flour, sugar and ghee (Maa Vilakku) and offer sweet pudding-sarkarai pongal nivedhana.  There is a shrine for Sage Madhanga in the prakara.  In the wall around the shrine-ghoshta Lord Brahmma graces in a sitting form.

Majority of the devotees pray seeking wedding boon.

There are two Nandhis-the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva-in the temple facing opposite directions to each other.  The Wedding of Lord with Mother Madhangee took place at Tiruvengadu.  Lord Shiva did not take any dowry from Sage Madhanga for the marriage.  Devas and other invitees from the celestial world took it as a weakness of Lord and spoke critically.  Lord Shiva told them that it was a wrong practice and told them that His own assets belong to Mother Madhangee too and sent Nandhi to bring them from Shivaloka to be given to His bride.

Remembering this event, there are two Nandhis in the temple, the Madhanga Nandhi facing the Lord and the Swedha Nandhi facing the opposite side.  This is described as Nandhi bringing the gifts (Seer in Tamil).  During the Pradosha time (4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.) abisheks are performed to Nandhis and this darshan is considered very important.

Mother Madhangeeswari graces from Her separate shrine.  She is regarded as Guru to Mother Saraswathi, the Goddess of Wisdom.  Devotees worship Her seeking high education boon.  Before beginning schooling to children parents bring them here on full moon or Ashtami day – eighth day from the new moon day- write on their tongue the first letter in honey and start Aksharapiyasam- starting their education.  Those facing delays in marriage tie the un-stripped coconut and offer pulse porridge-Pasi Paruppu Payasam as nivedhana.

While Sage Madanga was in penance, to test his determination, Lord Vishnu came there as Mohini-an enticing woman.  Knowing this magic with his wisdom eye, Madhanga opened his eyes to curse Mohini but before he opened the eyes, Lord Vishnu gave him darshan with His conch and discus.

Lord Vishnu graces in the temple from a separate shrine in Mohini form with conch and discus with Ananda-bliss mudra in His hand.

After destroying the yajna of Daksha, Lord Shiva did His Rudra Thandava (furious dance) when His hair touched 11 places on earth.  Lord Vishnu also took 11 forms to soften the fury of Lord Shiva.  Remembering this event, 11 Shiva temples were built here of which only 9 are remaining now.  There are also 11 Vishnu temples in this place praised as Divyadesas.  This is a very holy place housing 9 Shiva temples and 11 Vishnu temples in its limits.

Once Lord Shiva destroyed the whole earth through Jala Pralaya-floods.  Not aware of this, Lord Brahmma’s son Sage Madanga came down to perform penance on Lord Shiva but could not land on earth.  He sought the advice of Mahrshi Narada to show him a dry place.  Naradha asked him to go Swedha Vana.  The Sage performed penance here and was rewarded with the darshan of Lord Shiva.

Sage Madhanga asked the Lord that He should become a relation to him as He was the Father of all Jivas.  Lord told the sage that He would come at an appropriate time and would be his son-in-law.  The sage continued his penance.  On a Chitra Poornima day (full moon day in April-May), the sage was bathing in the Manikarunai River when he found a female child floating on a lotus leaf.  He took the child and brought her up.  When she grew up and attained the marriageable age, the sage prayed to Lord Shiva.  Lord came and accepted Madhangee (daughter of Sage Madhanga) in marriage and granted darshan as Shiva-Parvathi.  At the request of the sage Lord stayed here as Madhangeeswarar.