The temple history is stated in one of the eighteen famous Hindu scriptures, the Brahmanda Purana. According to Hindu mythology, Tulasi once performed penance in order to attain Vishnu's closeness. Vishnu answered his Lakshmi consort should appear in Tiruvinnagaram under Tulasi 's lap. The location where the temple is situated was where Tulasi started. This is stated in Nammazhwaar's 53rd verse at Thiruviruththam. Markandeya Maharishi worshiped Vishnu, and wanted Lakshmi to appear as his daughter, and Vishnu was to become his son-in - law. When Markandeya was on a holy path, and having reached Thiruvinnagaram, he felt it was the right place to satisfy his wish.For thousands of years Markandeya began a severe penance, seeking the blessings of Lakshmi. Under the already incarnated tulasi plant Lakshmi appears as a infant. Markandeya felt the presence of Lakshmi in the baby form and knew that part of his wish had been fulfilled. He grabbed the infant and raised her. On the panguni month of Shravana, when the young girl reached puberty, Vishnu appeared as an old man and asked for Markandeya's daughter's hand in marriage.Markandeya replied, "You are very mature and old, my daughter is too young and she doesn't even know how to cook with the right salt content," to which the old man replied, "If your daughter has to cook without salt, I'll still take it as my best meal, but I won't leave without getting married." Markandeya sought aid from Vishnu, and then discovered through his penance that Vishnu himself was the old man. As he opened his eyes, Vishnu appeared before him as in Vaikundam, with conch and chakram. Markandeya offered the hand on marriage to his daughter. Neyvethiyam of the temple is always prepared with no salt according to the legend.