This 1300 years old temple is situated in Thiruvanmiyur near the shores of the Bay of Bengal. Marundeeswarar Temple has found its place in the verses of the well known Nayanars namely Appar and Thirugnana Sambandar during the 7th and 8th century.Major expansion of the sacred complex was done during the Chola period in the 11th century. Other additions were made during the Vijayanagar Empire. Spanning over an area of 1 acre, the religious site is maintained by the Hindus Religious and Charitable Endowments department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Legends state that well known sage Valmiki who wrote the Ramayana had been worshipping Lord Shiva in this temple as such the place is also called Thiruvalmikiyur which was later renamed as Thiruvanmiyur. Opposite to this sacred shrine, a temple was built in honour of Valmiki.It is believed that Sage Bharadwaja offered prayers to the Lingam in this sacred place. Markandeyar performed penance and worshipped Lord Shiva at this auspicious place. Lord Brahma had organised a festival in honour of Lord Shiva at this holy place.People believe that Kamadhenu, the sacred cow performed ablution on the Lingam with milk as such the Lingam is also known as Palvananathar. As it poured milk on the Lingam, it appears to be white in colour. In Tamil the word Palvannam means white as milk as such the name Palvananathar. It is said that the main shrine faces west and Sun and Moon offer their prayers to the Lord daily during the sunset.Vani tree is the holy tree of the temple where Lord Shiva made his appearance before Sage Valmiki and Sage Agastya. Last Kumbhabhishekam was held on 23rd May 2008. It is the 25th temple in Thondai region praised in the Thevaram hymns.As Lord Shiva taught Sage Agasthya about the Oushadha Mooligai or medicinal herbs and the cure for various diseases he is known as Marundeeswarar. In Tamil the word Marundhu means medicine and Eswarar means God.