As per Hindu legend, Somukasura a demon, defeated Brahma, the Hindu god of creation and stole the four Vedas (sacred texts) from him.
Brahma was helpless and he did severe penance in the banks of Tamiraparani River seeking favour from Vishnu in the form of Vaikuntanathan.
Pleased by the penance, Vishnu appeared to Brahma and promised to retrieved the Vedas.
Taking form of a celestial 'Matsya' Lord Vishnu killed the demon Somuka and restored the Vedas to Brahma.
He also wished to set his abode as Srivakuntam and resided there as Vaikuntanatha.

As per another legend, the image of Vaikunatha, over the period of several ages, had no patrons and was left submerged under the earth.
A cow from a herd of the king, which used to graze at the place, did ablution at the place with its where Vaikuntanatha lay buried.
The king was displeased to see that a particular cow alone was not yielding milk and thought it might have been the trick of the herdsman.
He deployed his men to monitor the cow, who reported the events to the king.
The king realised that the cow would lead him to divinity and he dug up the region around the place.
He reinstated the image of Vaikuntanathar and expanded the temple.
Since Vaikuntanathar was revealed by the cow, the presiding deity got the name Pal Pandian (pal in Tamil indicates milk).

Kaladushana was a head of robbers in the region.
The ruling Pandya king wanted to arrest him, but his attempts were futile.
During one of the encounters, he could arrest everyone except Kaladushana.
Kaladushana prayed to Srivaikuntanathar to save him and his troop from the king.
Vaikuntanathar appeared as Kaldushana and surrendered before the king.
Later, he appeared in the dreams of the king to narrate the events and also informed him that he wanted the king and the people to learn that large accumulation of ill-gotten wealth would be stolen and would reach the right hands.
The king was enlightened and he released Kaladushana and his troop.
Since Vaikuntanathar appeared for thieves (called kalla in Tamil), he came to be known as Kallapiran.
As per Hindu legend, Somukasura a demon, defeated Brahma, the Hindu god of creation and stole the four Vedas (sacred texts) from him. Brahma was helpless and he did severe penance in the banks of Tamiraparani River seeking favour from Vishnu in the form of Vaikuntanathan. Pleased by the penance, Vishnu appeared to Brahma and promised to retrieved the Vedas. Taking form of a celestial 'Matsya' Lord Vishnu killed the demon Somuka and restored the Vedas to Brahma. He also wished to set his abode as Srivakuntam and resided there as Vaikuntanatha.
As per another legend, the image of Vaikunatha, over the period of several ages, had no patrons and was left submerged under the earth. A cow from a herd of the king, which used to graze at the place, did ablution at the place with its where Vaikuntanatha lay buried. The king was displeased to see that a particular cow alone was not yielding milk and thought it might have been the trick of the herdsman. He deployed his men to monitor the cow, who reported the events to the king. The king realised that the cow would lead him to divinity and he dug up the region around the place. He reinstated the image of Vaikuntanathar and expanded the temple. Since Vaikuntanathar was revealed by the cow, the presiding deity got the name Pal Pandian (pal in Tamil indicates milk).
Kaladushana was a head of robbers in the region.The ruling Pandya king wanted to arrest him, but his attempts were futile. During one of the encounters, he could arrest everyone except Kaladushana. Kaladushana prayed to Srivaikuntanathar to save him and his troop from the king. Vaikuntanathar appeared as Kaldushana and surrendered before the king.Later, he appeared in the dreams of the king to narrate the events and also informed him that he wanted the king and the people to learn that large accumulation of ill-gotten wealth would be stolen and would reach the right hands.The king was enlightened and he released Kaladushana and his troop. Since Vaikuntanathar appeared for thieves (called kalla in Tamil), he came to be known as Kallapiran.
Srivaikuntanathan Perumal temple