Srivanchiyam Vanchinatha Swamy Shiva Temple

The Shivalingam present in the temple here is called a Swayambhu or self manifested idol. It is said to face both the East and the West. Thus the pujas are done facing both the East and the West.A spring present in the temple complex, called Gupta Ganga is a holy site. It is said in mythology that Mother Ganga prayed to God to cleanse her off the sins of those who took a bath in her water and thereby she united with the spring and let go only some part of her holiness. The place or the spring is thus considered even more holy than Ganga.

Yama prayed to Lord Shiva to assign him some other job than taking the lives of people because he was feeling bad. Siva explained him that later in the world deaths will be a result og diseases and thus he would no longer be blamed. He also granted him the wish that the devotees coming here will worship him and then go on to worship the Lord. Till date the first puja in the temple is done for Yama and later Shiva is worshipped.

While the festival of Theertavari is celebrated on the last day of Brahmotsavam in the templs of Shiva, here in this temple it is done on the second day of Masi magam in the temple tank. These happen around February to March. Celebrations take place. Lorsd Vanchinatha Swami joins the procession on Ema Vahan.Another 10day festival widely celebrated here is Aai pooram. As a tradition, Theerthavari is performed only on the final day of Brahmmotsavam in Shiva temples. Here it is performed on the second day in the temple tank itself during the Masi Magam festivals in February-March. Lord comes in procession on the Ema Vahan. A 10 day festival is also celebrated after Aadi Pooram that happens in around July to August. Special rituals are maintained on Sundays.