There are two legends related to the significance of this famous pilgrimage. According to the first legend, Lord Rama bathed in the holy water of Agnitheertham to atone for his sin of killing the devil Ravana, half Brahmin. According to the second legend, on the way back to Ayodhya, Goddess Sita had to go through Agniparikusha with Lord Rama and Lord Laxman and prove her innocence to  Rama. She sat in the fire but was not injured. But then Sir Agni had to wash away the sins of touching the Goddess Sita during Agni Pariksha by bathing in the sea and praying to Lord Shiva. For this reason, the place is now known as Agnitheertham.