Thiruvottiyur was widely inhabited even before Chennai was formed. Thiruvottiyur is home to the ancient Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvottiyur (one of the Paadal Petra Sthalangal and amongst the great Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu) and location of the samādhi of saint Pattinathar. This temple was visited by many saints and poets like Appar, Sundarar, Gnana Sambandhar, Thyagayyar, Vallalar, Valmiki, Kambar, Adi Shankara etc. Kamba Ramayanam was composed here at Thyagaraja Swamy Vadivudaiamman Temple, before it was recited at Sri Rangam, Trichy
