According to legend, Shri Vayunatha Mandir was founded over 1,200 years ago by a wandering sage named Anilananda, who followed a mysterious, fragrant wind to the hilltop of present-day Pavanpur. There, he meditated under a fig tree for 12 years. One stormy night, the wind roared like never before, and the deity Vayunatha appeared in a spiral of air, blessing the sage and promising protection for the land.

The next morning, villagers discovered that a stone sanctum had formed overnight—believed to be shaped by the wind itself. Over generations, kings, mystics, and craftsmen expanded the temple, adding the signature rotating sanctum to align with the flow of seasonal winds. Ancient scriptures recovered nearby, known as the Vayutranta, describe rituals unique to this temple, including the Anila Abhishekam and the Panchavayu Utsav.

Though remote, the temple remained untouched through invasions and natural disasters—devotees say it’s the wind god’s protection. Today, it remains a sacred destination where faith and nature are deeply intertwined.