The name Keerimalai has been wonderfully preserved in numerous legends. It is a thirtham and its curative value of the waters is the theme around which many legends are woven – Nagula Muni and Princess Marudhapura Valli lost their deformity. The entire temple complex seems to have been built around the cave and the curative springs indicate a pre-historic origin for the shrine. In Tamil the word Keeri and its Sanskrit equivalent Nagulam mean a Mongoose. The antiquity of this temple has been recorded in many Indian religions treatises such as Dakshina Kailasa Puranam and Skanda Puranam indicating that it was a pilgrimage centre for South Indian Hindus.

Keerimalai is 50 feet above the main sea level with its fresh water underground springs. The word conjures up the image of rituals as Hindus flock in large numbers on Aadi Amaavaasai which falls during the Tamil month of Aadi, to hold ceremonies for their forefathers and take a divine dip in the natural springs.