as per a hindu legend, ranganatha (the reclining form of vishnu) from srirangam ranganathaswamy temple was enamoured by the devotion of andal. he started a journey to srivilliputhur divya desam to seek her hand for marriage. while reaching the place, it became dark and he decided to spend the night in the place. since he stayed at this place, it came to be known as thiruthangal and the hillock came to be known as thalagiri.