In ancient times, the goddess Akhilandeshwari (Ambikai), who is an integral part of Parameswaran, lived in Chennappamalai, a place that is revered as the 'Southern Kailash' located in the Panangattu region. This sacred site is believed to bring salvation not only to the 84 lakh living beings on earth but also to deities such as the Sun, the Moon, Indra, and Kubera, by offering them liberation from their curses.

At the goddess's request, Parameswaran granted her wish, and later, it is said that on the day of  Maha Shivaratri, a Brahma guru at the same place blessed the site, saying, "On this day, a divine light will manifest here, and all beings who worship it will attain liberation from the curse of birth." As a result, Lord Shiva appeared both in the heavens and on earth in the form of light, manifesting as a Jyotirlinga, a divine stone, to grant liberation from curses to all living beings.

The temple is particularly special because it offers liberation from curses to not only all living beings but also to the deities and celestial beings, without any discrimination. This makes the temple significant. Moreover, these four deities, who have been freed from their curses, bless the devotees who come to seek their grace, ensuring that the happiness they experienced also spreads throughout the world. Indra blesses with joy, Chandra with peace of mind, Kubera with wealth, and Surya with positive thoughts and actions.

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This sacred place has been celebrated for its divine fragrance for ages. It has always been referred to as the Southern Kailash. Parvati and Parameswaran, residing in the Kailash mountains, are venerated here as Akhilandeshwari, and Nandiswaran with his golden crown. The Sun God, who spreads light across the world and gives shape to creation, is said to bless this place daily in the form of Nandi, to remove all curses. The temple's deity is called 'Ponmudi Suryan Nandeeswarar,' and the name signifies the grace of the Sun God, who, along with Nandi, helps remove the curses of all beings. 

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Each Jyotirlinga temple has unique worship practices and rituals suited to its specific significance. In this regard, the worship practices at Chennappamalai Jyotirlinga are special and unlike any other.

Here, there is no discrimination based on status, wealth, education, gender, age, or caste. All beings, from the highest to the lowest, from the rich to the poor, from the learned to the unlearned, and from men to women, children, and the elderly, are blessed with prosperity by Lord Shiva in this divine temple. It is a place where divine blessings are granted to all beings at all times.

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Simply closing the eyes and opening the inner eye to think of Lord Shiva while worshiping here is enough to receive blessings of purity, and positive thoughts are reflected, resulting in complete blessings. Any task that is thought of will come to fruition, and Lord Shiva will speak the secrets to those who are devoted. By touching and worshiping the Jyotirlinga once, one's body and thoughts will be purified. Thoughts are filled with vital energy, and this earth itself is a great magnet of energy. The Jyotirlinga is a massive spiritual energy source, and when we worship with the mind, our thought waves are purified and reflected back to us from the Jyotirlinga, helping to purify us. We attain liberation from the curse of birth.

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Those who worship the Ponmudi Suryan Nandiswarar, along with Akhilandeshwari Ambikai, residing in this temple complex, will receive blessings of fertility, knowledge, and prosperity. Those who strive will also attain liberation.

By meditating in Padmasana for nine hours, divided into three parts, in the temple complex of the Jyotirlinga, devotees can have faith that Lord Shiva, in a state of self-forgetfulness, will come within and grant liberation from the curse of birth. This sacred place, Chennappamalai, proclaims this belief to the world. After the worship, sitting with the head tilted to the left in the Mandapam opposite the temple, one can sense the presence of good omens.

This temple has one more unique feature. It is a special practice that is not found in any other temple in the country. On Maha Shivaratri day, devotees can perform Abhishekam to the Jyotirlinga with fresh milk and Bilva leaves using their own hands. They can touch and worship the deity, and participate in the Homa and Yaga rituals that take place on that day.