According to legend, the history of a Chola King Dharmabala Chozhan ruling Kamalapuri then who suffered from leprosy due to his Karma in his previous birth. He worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple and got cured.

     He created a town here which was earlier a forest of Vilwa trees and also constructed a temple and named the place Vilwanallur which in course of time changed as Villianur. The temple has a mention in Thevaram hymns.

 
     The temple is a typical pictogram of antiquity, made of rock cut pillars, statues and depictions carved on huge granites and on the whole stands to be a stone beauty. Many historical evidences of the temple have been foun dating back from early A.D.
 
     This Temple is situated in  the main area  of villianur  covering an area of 4.32 acres, the entire villianur area being  built around it.
 
     The temple which has two entrances, covers  an area  368 feet (254.1 meters) long and 502 feet  (237.6 meters) wide in the North South direction, the circumference of temple is 4.32 Acres.There  are sculptures depicting  milk rendering cow, Bull and elephant mixed head sculpture, delivery event of sculptures , Chola king Dharmabala with his wife sculpture and two head bird.
 
Circumference of Temple
 
     Lenght is 368 Feet, width is 502 Feet, total area is 4.32 Acres
 
Towers
     The temple has two  majestic towers,  all which have been   exquisitely designed and sculptured. The Rajagopuram has 5-tier,67 feet of hieght and face to East side. other majestic tower is south gopuram , it has 7 -tier, height of 97feet and face to south side.
 
     The French Ruled Party was used this south majestic tower as monitoring tower for security purpose.
 
Deities
    The presiding Lord of this sacred shrine name is Thirukamisvarar , also the deity is known as  kamesvarar, miramisvarar, narasinganathar, naduvazhinathar, vaithiyanather and vilveksenar.
The Goddess of this Temple  is kokilambigai. she is also called kuilammi and muthammai.
 
Historical Name
     Different of names such as 'Kamisam', 'villapuri' and 'vilvamanagaram' which of these name is expressed by villai purana.The general name of this is villianur.
 

Tank

     The biggest of tank its area is 1.8 Acre , Every year on the day of 10th Bramochavam  kokilambigai and Lord Kamisvarar are taken in procession on a decorated float on this lake, when they bless the devotees. This is one of the famous festivals of villianur..

 

Theertham

     Brahmma theertham, Hruthapa Nasini

 

Thala Virutcham

     Vilvha