Munneswaram temple is situated in Munneswaram village, the center of the spiritual and religious life of the people dwelling in a medieval administrative division called Munneswaram Pattuva ("Munneswaram division"). For most of the temple's existence, Munneswaram Pattuva has had over 60 villages for which Maradankulama provided political leadership. The Pattuva belonged to an even bigger medieval division called Demala Pattuva ruled by semi-independent Tamil chiefs subject to Sinhalese kingdoms. The presiding deity is called "Sri Munnainathar" ("Lord of antiquity" alluding to its ancient roots) and the goddess is called "Sri Vativampika Devi" ("goddess of beautiful form" another name for Mother goddess Ambal).