Temple Legend - While residing at Mount Kailash, Goddess Parvati requested that Lord Shiva explain the meaning of the pranava mantra 'om'. Shiva agreed and began revealing the significance of this primordial sound, but much to his consternation, Parvati's attention wandered and she became distracted during the discourse. Incensed by her apparent disinterest, Shiva cursed his divine consort to be reborn in a human form. Parvati, arrived in Omampurliyur, where she made her dwelling, and after praying to Goddess Saraswathi, began an assiduous penance to atone for her perceived slight. Seated in steadfast contemplation beneath an elandai tree, she directed her prayers and devotions to Shiva. Shiva was duly impressed by her unwavering dedication. Deciding to grant her wish, Shiva manifested before Parvati in the form of Dakshinamurthy, and began teaching her the meaning of the pranava mantra. Intent on ensuring his teaching would be uninterrupted this time, he positioned his loyal bull vahana, Nandi, to stand guard and prevent any disturbances. However, at that very moment, their son Muruga arrived on the scene, only to be denied entry by Nandi. Undeterred, Muruga transformed himself into a beetle, sneaking into the sacred space through 'gho-mukha', the run-off spout through which the water from the ritual of 'Abisheka' flows. Alighting upon the fragrant flowers adorning Parvati's hair, Muruga was able to surreptitiously absorb the potent spiritual knowledge and meaning of the Pranava mantra that Shiva imparted to Parvati in his aspect as Dakshinamurthy, the divine guru. This clandestine acquisition of sacred wisdom would later allow Muruga to reveal the profound meaning of the Pranava back to his father Shiva at Swami-Malai. Thus, this event, where Uma Devi received the spiritual boon she sought from Shiva, is believed to be the etymological origin of the name of this town, which came to be known as "Omam-Puliyur".

The term 'homam' refers to the sacred ritual of making offerings into a consecrated fire. This act of oblation and invocation through fire is an ancient Vedic tradition that serves to honor the deities, purify the atmosphere, and bring blessings to the performers and community. Tirunavukkarasar, in his devotional hymns known as pathikam, provides a vivid description of Omam-Puliyur, noting that the homam rituals were conducted there perpetually. He portrays a scene where the space is permeated by the fragrant smoke emanating from the ritual fires, creating an ethereal atmosphere of sanctity and divine presence. Tirunavukkarasar explicitly links the name 'Omam-Puliyur' to this ever-present ritual smoke, indicating that the town earned its name as a consequence of the ceaseless homam offerings that were held here.