According to the legend, the main idol of Lord Shiva was installed by Lord Sri Rama in the presence of Sita, Hanuman, Sugreeva, and Vibheeshana upon his return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. Lord Sri Rama entrusted Hanuman with the task of bringing a divine Sivalinga from the Himalayas. Hanuman embarked on a journey to the Himalayas and tirelessly searched for a unique Sivalinga, which took some time. As the auspicious time for the installation (prathishta) approached, Lord Rama decided to proceed with the prathishta immediately. He used the earth from that place to mold a Sivalinga and consecrated it. However, when Hanuman returned, he more was saddened to find that the prathishta had already been performed. In response, Lord Rama instructed Hanuman to remove the prathishta and replace it with the Divyalinga he had brought. Despite Hanuman efforts, the newly molded earthen Linga remained unchanged. Instead, the land surrounding it rose to form a small hillock. Realizing his inability, Hanuman sought forgiveness and sought Lord Rama permission to remain near the Divya Prathishta he had performed forever. Thus, Kaviyoor became Hanuman abode and is traditionally known as the most prominent Hanuman temple in South India.Another legend pertains to the installation of the Hanuman idol within the temple complex. Sage Vilwamangalam once visited the temple and had a vision of Lord Hanuman sitting on a branch of a large Ilanji (Mimusops elengi) tree in the northeastern side of the outer courtyard. He prayed for the Lord to descend from the tree and sit in a comfortable position in the inner courtyard, near Lord Shiva. Granting his wish, Hanuman descended and sat on the sages Japa- Kindi in the northwestern corner of the inner courtyard. Later, as a result of a dream experienced by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, a separate sanctum was built for Lord Hanuman in M.E. 1108 (AD 1934). The main deity is known as Thrikkaviyoorappan. The Shiva Linga is believed to be made of sand and darbha grass. According to the dhyanasloka (concept), Lord Shiva in the Kaviyoor Temple is depicted in a pleasant form, sitting in the lotus position (padmasana) while embracing Goddess Parvati with his left hand. The idols of Shiva as Dakshinamurthi and Ganapathi are installed together on the southern side of the main sanctum.