Sthala Purana - Bharathwaja Maharishi, performed the sacred ritual 'Puthra Kameshti Yaga', with the intention of begetting a child. As a result of his devotion and the potency of the ritual, Goddess Parvathy Herself took birth as the sage's daughter. When Parvathy reached the age of marriage, Bharathwaja Maharishi ardently prayed to Shiva, to wed his daughter. Heeding the sage's heartfelt plea, Shiva descended to the earthly realm to enter into holy matrimony with Parvathy. Upon His arrival, the sage received the divine groom with utmost reverence and hospitality. Moved by Bharathwaja's devotion, Shiva graciously consented to the sage's request to make His abode at this sanctified site. Thenceforth, the place where the sage welcomed the groom came to be known as 'Edirkolpaadi', which translates to 'the place where the groom was received'. Correspondingly, the presiding deity earned the appellation 'Tiruedhirkolpadi Udayar', meaning 'The Lord who was received as the groom'. In the epochs that followed, Airavatha, the majestic white elephant that serves as the mount of the celestial god Indra, arrived here and offered his veneration to the enshrined deity. Consequently, the deity also acquired the name 'Airavatheswarar', signifying His connection with Airavatha.

The legend of the white elephant's arrival to the earthly realm is centered around a curse bestowed by the revered sage Durvasa. Durvasa had performed a Shiva Pooja, and he was presented with a garland as 'prasad'. In a gesture of reverence, Durvasa offered this holy garland to Indra. Indra, in turn, placed the garland upon the head of his mount, the majestic white elephant Airavatha. However, Airavatha, perhaps not fully comprehending the profound sanctity and importance of the garland, carelessly discarded it and even went so far as to trample it underfoot in a display of irreverence. This thoughtless act deeply offended Sage Durvasa, who perceived it as a grave insult to the sacred offering. Enraged by Airavatha's perceived arrogance and lack of respect, Durvasa placed a potent curse upon the elephant. Seeking to atone for his actions and break free from the curse, Airavatha descended from the heavenly abode to the mortal world below. In his terrestrial journey, Airavatha visited various sacred sites, engaging in acts of devotion and worship to Lord Shiva in the hopes of obtaining forgiveness and liberation from the sage's condemnation. One such place of great significance in Airavatha's quest for redemption is Tiruedirkolpaadi, where the repentant elephant is said to have performed Shiva puja and the water body created by him came to be known as 'Airavatha Theertham.