It is believed that Lord Siva, though He is common  to  all and though He resides with his Consort Uma Devi in thousands  and thousands  of  temples,  has taken the Southern  land  of  Pandya Kings, as His main abode.

Nearly one thousand years ago, the King Veerasekara  Pandyan, on  account  of  his  devotion  and  attachment  to  Lord   Siva, constructed   a  temple  for  'Raja  Katka  Parameswarar'   alias Kotravaleeswarar with His consert Thirunellaiyamman, at Koviloor, near Karaikudi.

This  holy shrine is surrounded by Thiruperunthurai  on  the south, Thirukkanaper on the east, Thiruppathur on the  west and Thirumeyyar on the north, which are all holy places. That's  why the shrine,  which  is of historical and  mythological  importance  is mentioned  as 'Srivallabam', 'Samivana  shetram', 'Vannivanam', 'Kazhanivayil', 'Rasakath - peruntheru', 'Veerapandiapuram', 'Marukendrapuram'  and other names in the holy scriptures.   Since saint Mathupriyar meditated here, the tank of this place  is called  'Mathupushkarani'  and the river that runs here  is  called 'Thenaru'.  Thirisirapuram  Sri  Meenakshisundaram  Pillai  has composed 'Koviloorpuranam' praising this holy shrine  in  chaste Tamil.