Some  two  hundred years ago, Muthuramalingam who  was  born among the Karaikudi Nagarathar Community, was living  with  his parents at Sikkal near Nagapattinam.  One day he accompanied  his father,  to  a nearby village namely  'Porulvaithaseri'. There lived  one 'Sri Uganthalingaswamigal' who took up weaving as  his means  of  livelihood  and like St.Thiruvalluuvar, divided  his income  into  three portions and earmarked  one  for professional expenses,  the other for domestic expenses and yet another for feeding  the devout.  He taught Vedanta philosophy, keeping the descendants of Sirungeri Peedam as his Gurus. 

Muthuramalingam  developed  extreme  devotion  and   passion towards  Sri Uganthalinga swamigal and so he became his  student.  When  once  a north Indian saint met him,  realising  his divine powers,  blessed  him that he would become the  world's  teacher. Then onwards, Muthuramalingam was called by all as 'Andavar'. 

Vedanta  Philosophy  consists  of  sixteen  books  known  as 'Nanageeva vada Kattalai', 'Geethasarathiratu', 'Sasivannabodam', 'Maharajathuravu', 'Agganavathaipparani',  'Vedanta Soodamani', 'Viveka   Soodamani',   'Panchakathasi',   'Kaivalyanavaneetham', Easurageethai', 'Baghavadgeethai',   'Brahmhageethai'    and 'Gnanavasittam'.   It was the tradition to complete the course  of study   with   the   completion  of  the   sixteenth   book,   the 'Gnanavasittam'.  This sixteenth book was the extract of  Vedanta Philosophy that was taught to Sri Raman by St.Vasittar. 

Sri  Andavar swamigal, like his Guru, followed the aims  and principles of Sringeri Adhi sankarachariar's disciples.  He taught that  maturity  of  mind and true  devotion  are  necessary  for attaining  salvation irrespective of caste, creed and  community.  It  was  Sri  Andavar swamigal who established  Vedanta  mutt  at koviloor.   He  paved  the way for making  people  understand  and follow  the Sanskrit works in philosophy by translating  them  in easy  Tamil. Hermits stayed and studied holy  scriptures  in his mutts. 

Once   Sri   Andavar  swamigal  went  to   the   temple of Kotravaleeswarar whose  consort is Thirunellaiamman,  to  invoke prayers.  He found the temple walls and its roof in a dilapidated condition.   Feeling  very  much for the poor  condition  of  the temple,  he  decided to renovate it.  To fulfil his  desire,  the Nattukkottai Nagarathar contributed liberally.  The blue print  of this  temple  was charted and the construction was  commenced  by him.  The temple was completed as a big and beautiful one in  all aspects,  by his successors Sri la Sri  Chidambara  Gnanadesikar, Sri  la Sri Veerasekara Gnanadesikar called Thirukkalar  Andavar, and  Sri la Sri Ramanatha Gnanadesikar.  The temple  consists  of spacious  Prakarams, tank with a central dome, an arch  over  the entrance and is surrounded by Vedapadasala and quarters.  Next to the  kings,  it was Sri Andavar who took up the construction  of temple.  Credit goes to him for involving Nattukkottai Nagarathar in  temple construction and renovation.  Sri  Kutttaiya  Swamigal was the disciple of Sri Andavar at Koviloor.  He was born in  the family of 'Ainthu Veettar' of Devakottai Nagarathar.  Sri Andavar sent him to Madurai to do service for the cause of divinity.   He offered  garlands  to  the Goddess  Meenakshi daily,  during  the Arthasama Pooja.  This tradition is followed even today.